About

The Committee on Information Services (CIS) is an elected body of the university faculty. Its function is to continually reassess the information-technology needs of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. In exercising its oversight functions, the committee shall examine the adequacy of the delivery of information services to students and faculty, in particular facilities, budget support, and staff.

The committee includes eleven full-time faculty who serve staggered two-year terms. These members are elected by secret ballot within their respective units: four from CAS and one each from KSB, SIS, SOC, SPA, SPExS, WCL, and the University Library. The committee also includes one graduate student, to be designated by the Graduate Leadership Council, one undergraduate, to be designated by the Student Government. The committee also includes three non-voting ex officio members: the University Librarian, the Chief information office (or designee), and the Executive Director of the Center for Teaching, Research & Learning. The committee elects, from among its eleven faculty members, its own chair. The voting quorum of the committee shall consist of a majority of its faculty members, including the committee chair, and votes may be taken electronically when a quorum cannot be otherwise assembled.

The committee has the following responsibilities:

  • to maintain liaison with the Director of the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning;
  • to maintain liaison with the University Librarian concerning plans and programs, and, in cooperation with the library, to assess the varying library needs of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty and examine the adequacy of the delivery of library services to students and faculty, in particular facilities, budget support, staff, and cooperation with the Washington Research Library Consortium;
  • to maintain a liaison with the Office of Technology (OIT) concerning plans and programs, and in cooperation with OIT to assess the varying technology needs of the university and to make recommendations on those needs;
  • to maintain a liaison with the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning to assess and make recommendations on technology needs related to the teaching and research support and services provided by that office; and
  • as appropriate, to report its findings and recommendations to the Committee on Academic Budget and Benefits, including recommendations about long-range financial planning.

A current list of CIS members is maintained by the Faculty Senate.

CIS also maintains a listserve. Please email the chair(s) if you’d like to be added to it.