Technology in Context: 10 Considerations for Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities

Over the course of just a few decades, technology has become a powerful force on college and university campuses. It is the set of tools that supports financial operations and university administration. It is the backbone that undergirds facilities management and institutional operations. From wireless networks to computer labs to campus alert systems, it is the package of applications that supports the student experience. Technology provides vital channels for institutions to keep in contact with alumni, donors, legislators, the local community, and other key constituencies. Moreover—and perhaps most importantly—technology drives the very core of institutional missions in truly fundamental ways, opening new doors that enrich teaching and learning and make research more robust.

This downloadable paper is designed to support governing boards and institutional leaders as they engage in strategic discussions that consider technology’s role in advancing the institution’s mission and ensuring its success. To provide context for such discussions, the paper outlines 10 aspects of technology in higher education that governing boards should consider. The first point outlines why technology needs to be factored into strategy discussions by governing boards. Four subsequent points focus on ways in which technology is fundamentally transforming higher education, in such dimensions as teaching and learning, research, institutional operations, and the student experience. The remaining points explore specific dimensions of technology and its applications, ranging from the practical to the philosophical, that will help inform discussions at the board level.

This report was written by Stephen G. Pelletier and Richard A. Skinner, with important contributions from William H. Graves.  It was published with generous support form Sungard Higher Education.