Survey: Most satisfied with IU technology

University Information Technology Services released the results of its 2007 User Survey on Wednesday.\nThe results indicated that students, faculty and staff are mostly satisfied with IU’s technology services, but some expressed concerns regarding OneStart. \nThe results of the survey have been posted to the UITS Survey Web Site and include the list of questions asked and a summary of the results. Some of the text comments included compliments such as “keep up the good work,” but others had negative things to say, such as one anonymous comment that said, “Please get rid of OneStart. It is such a horrible application and never works most of the times I need it.”\nEach year, the Center for Survey Research selects a random sample of the IU community to survey on behalf of the UITS department to measure user satisfaction. \nThe survey was conducted online and assesses UITS computing facilities and services in the areas of instructional support, research, administration and satisfaction with telephone services. Those selected to participate received an invitation, which included instructions for accessing the survey. \nAccording to the UITS 2007 Web site, the survey provides critical information that helps evaluate performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and generate ideas for new services.\nGarland Elmore, IU’s deputy chief information officer, said students, faculty and staff have identified areas that improved. Elmore said users are about 97 percent satisfied with the computing and networking environment and about 94 percent satisfied with e-mail systems. “This is very good news for us,” he said in an e-mail.\nDespite such good ratings, there are some areas in need of improvement, such as continuing to focus on the transition of users to Oncourse, he said. About 85 percent of Oncourse users at IU-Bloomington indicated that they were satisfied with the system, Elmore said.\nBased on the results from the survey, Elmore said UITS will analyze the data to calculate the relative cost and quality of each resource and service. The data collected and analyzed over time will provide a picture for how well the organization is using resources and meeting the needs of students, faculty and staff. \nWith the results released, now the process will begin for the UITS service providers, who will study the results. They will define actions that might be necessary to improve services as well as to maintain the level of excellence in many areas that have been consistently rated in the top tier, Elmore added in the e-mail. \n“Both the Senior Management Committee and the Chief Information Officer’s Cabinet will review suggested plans of action to establish the priorities for departments and their directors,” Elmore said.