IU to expand Ivy Tech technology support

Beginning in October, IU’s client services and support division will make 24-hour IT support via telephone and email available seven days a week to Ivy Tech Community College faculty, staff and students.

IU has provided Ivy Tech technology support in the past, but it was available only during evenings and weekends.

“We are providing the best service for the least amount of cost to the students and taxpayers of Indiana,” Sue Workman, IU associate vice president of client services and support said in a press release. “This agreement eliminates duplication of systems, space, staff and management between the two institutions, so we both make effective use of tuition and state resources. These additional 24-hour support services can provide essential help for full-time students, especially those who are balancing work, families and education on a part-time basis.”

The service will be provided as part of IU’s University Information Technology Services,  which has successfully helped solve more than 200,000 problems and has a 92 percent satisfaction rating from customers who have received aid through email, phone calls and online self-help.

The decision to expand technology support comes a year after Ivy Tech’s decision to relocate its primary data system to the IU-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, according to the press release, and builds the relationship between the two institutions.

“Once again, Ivy Tech and IU are joining forces to create greater efficiencies in the state’s higher education system,” said Anne Brinson, chief information officer for Ivy Tech. “We utilize similar student support objectives, so collaboration made perfect sense, both cost-wise and customer service-wise. Our students will not only receive expanded customer service hours, but they will also have access to IU’s award-winning information technology services.”

— Sydney Murray