we have two problems: the maintenance of connex (or any software our dept
chooses to use) vs the maintenance of the infrastructure (power, cooling,
raid, backup&restore, etc) that runs connex. uvic systems is probably
better at the latter (and the economy of scale also applies), but our tech
team is really indispensable to help us innovate in our teaching and
research, and to lead the adoption of new (computer) technologies on
campus: i do not know how to convince university systems to add a new
feature in blackboard or moodle, but our tech team is really quick
improving connex (although i still hope connex forum is rss capable 😉
and they are really helpful when we put together the new lab for csc361.
of course, over the years, our expertise becomes commodity elsewhere, but
there are always new frontiers in (computer) technologies
i really hope our faculty and staff members can play more important roles
in uvic upper admin, to help the entire university become more effective
with technologies: if someone can convince grad admissions not to print
out pdf files and then scan them into again, it will save a lot of their
time and ours as well; if we do not need to submit “no change” forms every
year to declare conflict of interest or whatever but do so on demand when
necessary, it can save a lot of time overall—at least save some trees;
also they will no longer tell us “something is not banner-able” 😉 these
will save the university a lot of money. just my two cents