Tough Times in Information Technology: University IT Investments In Periods of Financial Crisis David L. Eisler, President Ferris State University

The Triple Whammy Budget Reduction Endowment Earnings Decline Enrollment Increases

Budget reduction impacts Administrative Systems Learning Management Systems Campus Portals The Network Website Redesign

Challenges IT is under funded Campus systems are vendor dependent Cutting hardware and personnel can be counterproductive Integration capabilities are over rated

Opportunities Recapture personnel savings Cut printing, mailing costs Eliminate paper? Better prepared workers Hardware and software savings

Approaches Consider reinvestment model Use technology projects as tuition growth hedge Strategy can not be “cut someone else”

Examine costs… Hardware Software Specialized Labs Networks Consolidated Support Operations

Information Technology: Core Competency or Support Service?

The Challenges… Reduce budgets Continue momentum for campus transformation

Thank you