North Carolina State University, Office of Information Technology, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Records 1963-1999, 2008-2023

The Office of Information Technology was formerly known as the Computing Center and the Information Technology Division. In the 1970s, the organization supported mainframe computers used for research and scientific computing. On November 1, 2007, ITD and Resource Management and Information Systems (RMIS) joined to form the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Currently, the division provides systems and services such as state-of-the-technology network backbone, computing account privileges and help desk support to the entire university.

NC State University's Computing Center formed a key part of the Triangle Universities Computation Center and also played a central role in the development of supercomputing in North Carolina. North Carolina State University first opened its Computer Center in 1962, and the organization supported mainframe computers used primarily for what was then leading-edge scientific and research computing. In the 1970s, the organization supported mainframe computers used for research and scientific supercomputing. During the 1980's the organization expanded access to the university's computing systems for faculty and students by developing more microcomputer networks which gave computer technology a lasting presence in the school's teaching mission. Later in the 1980's and into the 1990's, the organization was instrumental in the development of North Carolina's Supercomputing Center, and its acquisition of the CRAY T916, which significantly expanded North Carolina's research capabilities and business growth. By 1997 the organizational name had changed to Computer Services, and by 1999 it had become the Information Technology Division. On November 1, 2007, ITD and Resource Management and Information Systems (RMIS) joined to form the Office of Information Technology (OIT). The new position of Vice Chancellor for Information Technology (VCIT) was created, filled by Dr. Marc I. Hoit beginning September 1, 2008. OIT provides campus-wide computing, information and communication technology services in support of the university's academic and administrative goals. Currently, the division provides systems and services such as state-of-the-art technology network backbone, computing account privileges and help desk support to the entire university. It oversees 7 component units:

Business Services is responsible for the everyday business operations of OIT.

Communication Technologies engineers, deploys and maintains campus-wide electronic communications systems that make it possible for NC State students and employees to learn and work in an increasingly interconnected global community.

Enterprise Application Services evaluates designs, develops, tests, enhances and maintains administrative applications and the underlying middleware and databases to help the university conduct its business.

Outreach, Communications, and Consulting coordinates a wide range of activities and provides training, consulting, media production and information services to enhance the use of technologies at NC State.

Security and Compliance seeks to enhance the university’s information technology infrastructure and operations by implementing and enforcing industry best standards, policies, regulations and procedures to protect and secure university environments, systems and data.

Shared Services provides a wide array of enterprise level infrastructure and middleware services for OIT and other campus IT organizations. Shared services in collaboration with the Research Office, the Office of the Provost, and colleges also provides High Performance Computing (HPC) and Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) services.

Technology Support Services provides a variety of technology support and consulting services for the NC State University campus community.

The records of the Office of Information Technology, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology contain annual reports, correspondence, and manuals and printouts pertaining to the division's activities and programs. Also included are materials on analog computation, Conversational Monitor System, PC Write and scripting, supercomputing and networked technology. Materials range in date from 1963 to 1999. The collection also includes records documenting the development of supercomputing technology within the Triangle university system, and the role played by North Carolina State University in carrying out supercomputing research funded by the National Science Foundation. In addition, the collection reflects the expansion of computing technology within the university system and its gradual introduction into the teaching mission of North Carolina State University.

This collection is arranged alphabetically.

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[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Office of Information Technology, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Records, UA 007.001, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Transferred from North Carolina State University, Office of Information Technology.

Processed by: Kristen Blake and Clancy Hecht-Nielsen, 2019 August; Finding aid written by: Clancy Hecht-Nielsen; Digital materials processed by William Boyer, 2023 July.