Academic Technology @ BGSU

Dr. Shirley Baugher, Provost and VPAA, created the office of Academic Technology this Spring with the goal of giving greater visibility to and, thus, enhancing the priority for addressing, the unique technological needs of researchers, artists, and teachers at BGSU.

In its incipient state, Academic Technology is shaping its early transitional budget and mission under the direction of an Associate Vice Provost who reports directly to the Provost. I am serving in that role, transitioning from my previous position as Associate Dean for Distance Education in Continuing & Extended Education.

As the AVPAT (Associate VP for Academic Technology) role evolves, the associated tasks will include: coordinating the discussion of and response to specifically academic technology issues; canvassing various campus constituencies for their insight and input into felt technological needs and/or gaps; providing a means to more rapid response to these expressed technological needs; guiding informed policy making about the uses of technology in scholarship, engagement, and pedagogy; overseeing the development of relevant training for faculty and staff to use existing and future applications effectively; and making possible the purchase and implementation of unique hardware and software solutions that are not otherwise addressed by other offices.  

As an example, the provost has also asked me as AVPAT to oversee a review of our e-portfolio system and its relevant uses. and to convey recommendations for continuing, modifying, or replacing this system, as well as increasing its utility and adoption across campus.

In October, I convened an initial exploratory committee to provide some initial feedback, and will work collegially with the CIO and the designated subcommittee of ITC to collaborate on an assessment and report. In addition, with the provost’s encouragement, the AVPAT and CIO are currently jointly visiting the offices of all the academic deans and conducting interviews to elicit the deans’ commentary on and assessment of a variety of technological issues.