IT Governance

Building Trust Through Governance

At The University of Texas at Austin, IT Governance connects our community to make technology decisions that are transparent, collaborative, and mission-driven.

Enterprise Technology Executive Committee

Enterprise Technology Executive Committee (ETEC) serves as the strategic governance body responsible for alignment with strategic goals, budget, and operations. By evaluating, prioritizing, and overseeing major projects, ETEC optimizes resource use and maximizes institutional impact.

Executive Governance Committee

Members

  • President
  • Provost
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO)
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Overview 

  • Meet quarterly with a specific annual cadence
  • Review campus-wide requests, assist with prioritization, and review of proposed major programs
  • Focused on projects that are $500K + in estimated cost and have a significant impact on the University

Governance and Decision Rights

CIO Authority

  • Security baseline & compliance
  • Technology standards & architecture
  • Enterprise platform roadmap
  • Consolidated service delivery

ETEC Approval Required

  • Service scope boundaries
  • Major technology investments >$500K
  • Consolidation phase planning
  • Strategic capability priorities

CSU Autonomy Preserved

  • Mission-specific application selection
  • Research computing priorities
  • Embedded support staffing
  • Domain-specific workflows

Action Plan

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Step One

    •    Review previous year's approvals
    •    Discuss annual priorities
    •    Report progress
    •    Launch call for campus programs

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Step Two

  • Review incoming program requests
  • Identify CIO priority programs
  • Report progress
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Step Three

  • Review incoming program requests
  • Begin prioritizing proposed programs
  • Report progress
  • Review proposed investments
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Step Four

  • Final prioritization
  • Approve submissions
  • Communicate program approval

Strategic IT Governance Groups

Student Systems Experience Council

The Student Systems Experience Council (SSEC) is tasked with strategically engaging stakeholders across our University campus to help create, maintain, and implement an evergreen roadmap to enhance the student systems ecosystem. Our goal is to further the planning, implementation, and evaluation of student systems, enhance the quality and efficiency of student programs and services, and support the strategic goals and objectives of the University.

The advisory scope of the SSEC covers all aspects of student systems, including but not limited to: 

  • The ongoing review of the overall student system with recommendations to invest in, manage, or plan to replace each piece.
  • The identification and recommendations for student system projects and initiatives.
  • The review and monitoring of student system policies, standards, and procedures.
  • The coordination, integration, and alignment of student systems across different departments and units.
  • The assessment, improvement, and innovation of student systems performance, functionality, and usability.
  • Central oversight of other campus committees and workgroups focused on improvements to student systems and processes. 

 

CIO Advisory Council

The CIO Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the University of Texas Enterprise Technology. The Council provides insight, feedback, and guidance on major technology initiatives, priorities, and policies that impact the university’s academic, research, and administrative missions.

The Council’s charge is to:

  • Advise the CIO on enterprise technology strategies, investments, and emerging trends that advance the university’s digital transformation goals.
  • Provide input on major technology projects, service delivery models, and governance processes to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and user needs.
  • Facilitate communication between Enterprise Technology and campus stakeholders to promote transparency, collaboration, and shared understanding of technology decisions and their impact.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance innovation, operational efficiency, and the overall technology experience across the university community.
  • Support strategic planning by providing a diverse perspective on current challenges and future opportunities in technology.

Operational IT Governance Groups

The University Technology Leadership Council

The University Technology Leadership Council (UTLC) serves as the primary staff-level governance and advisory body supporting the Enterprise Technology Executive Committee (ETEC). UTLC provides coordinated leadership across administrative & academic systems, distributed/academic IT, and central IT to ensure that enterprise technology decisions advance the mission of The University of Texas at Austin.

UTLC’s scope covers the full spectrum of enterprise technology, including: 

 

  • Administrative systems (e.g., Workday, finance, HR, procurement, student administrative systems) 

  • Academic and Instructional Technology (instructional technology, research technologies, classroom tech, college/school/unit systems) 

  • Central IT services (infrastructure, platforms, shared services, networks) 

  • IT staffing, talent management, and retention 

  • Security, privacy, compliance, and risk 

  • Data management and governance 

  • Digital accessibility and user experience 

  • Emerging technologies (e.g., AI) 

  • Enterprise architecture, service design, and systems integration 

  • Cross-campus technology initiatives and modernization efforts