In today's world, the role of Information Technology (IT) is rapidly evolving -- expanding how we work and learn in exciting new ways. It isn't unusual to find hospitals using virtual reality to teach medical students surgical techniques, digital archives that rival the nation's largest book collections, and architects using 3-D technology to "walk through" models that they designed collaboratively from remote locations. At Penn State, it's now routine for faculty and staff to use IT to manage courses, data, and research; while students surf the Web on a daily basis to access grades, course schedules, and career resources.

It's a critical time for universities to have cutting-edge information technology resources that they can consistently rely on. Information Technology Services (ITS), the central IT organization for Penn State, has recently been reorganized to better meet these rising needs and to provide our community with access to the emerging technologies essential to success in higher education today.

The information below includes descriptions of our organization's many services. You will also find examples of recently enhanced resources that enable Penn State's community members to make maximum use of IT in their numerous learning, teaching, research, and administrative endeavors. Please take a few minutes to read this material and learn how ITS can help you to achieve your own goals at Penn State.

J. Gary Augustson
Vice Provost for Information Technology
You can find more information about ITS units and services at http://its.psu.edu on the Web.