Program Review of the Iowa State University Office of Academic Information Technologies :: Technology Essays Technological

Program Review of the Iowa State University Office of Academic Information Technologies Essentiality: The mission of the Office of Academic Information Technologies (AIT) at Iowa State is to support campus academics through information technology (IT). It seems in the â€Å"information age† of the research university that this mission truly is an essential element, especially in light of ISU’s institutional mission of enhancing learning, promoting discovery, and engaging constituents. Indeed, this mission cannot be accomplished currently without a robust IT infrastructure. Quality: In rankings based on computing resources and services available to undergraduates, Iowa State was ranked 20th in the most recent (AIT, 2000) research university category of Yahoo’s â€Å"Most Wired† colleges and universities. While critics have questioned the usefulness of these types of ratings suggesting that thoroughness of application is really what is measured, it does show that the quality of information technology at ISU has been noticed in a peer rated study. Internally, where critics are usually the most vociferous, students, faculty, and staff have had both praise and disapproval. The harshest criticism of late have been the addition of a Microsoft Licensing Agreement which students believe to be a waste of their student fees (Iowa State Daily, 2002). Although quality, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, the quality of IT as measured by peers, students, faculty, and staff is at least average and probably above average within Iowa Stateâ⠂¬â„¢s peer institutions. Availability: AIT has taken pride over the years in giving students, faculty, and staff almost unlimited access to the university’s IT resources. The Durham Center for Computation and Telecommunications has been one of only a handful of buildings on campus open 24 hours, seven days a week. The supply of open computers within the Durham Center has usually outpaced demand except for small rush periods during the semester. Accessibility for disabled clients has also been a priority. Recent budget cuts have taken their toll on this availability however. During the last year, the center has reduced its open hours from 24 to 17 on weekdays and 14 on weekends, more closely mimicking the library’s open hours policy. Another limitation has been levied upon a few heavy Internet users in the dormitories (Iowa State Daily, 2001). Because of this heavy use, at a cost to other, less intense users, a limit has been placed on the amount of information that can be downloaded from dorm computers.

Relationships Between Travel and Tourism Organisations

Examples of organisations working together Tour operators & Travel agents These two sectors are connected because a travel agency sells holidays for a tour operator who will put together the whole package . e. g. Lunn poly which is a worldwide travel agency sells holidays for Kuoni which is a tour operator that specializes in luxury holidays. Attractions & Transport operators These two sectors are connected because when travelling to Buckingham Palace there are bus routes and tube routes which direct you straight to the location of Buckingham Palace.London Underground has announcements on their Victoria line at Green Park which tells you when you should get off if you are visiting Buckingham Palace. Transport operators & Tour operators These two sectors are connected by tour operators organizing holidays and needing a transport operator to provide transport for the customer to get to the destination e. g. Thomascook organises holidays for customers, and then works with Easyjet to get the customer there. What is common ownership? This exists if an entity or entities possess an ownership or equity interest of 5 percent or more in another entity.Different types of ownership Sole trader is when the business is fully owned and managed by one person, though others can be employed to help run the business. Partnerships have two or more owners. They work, manage and are responsible for the running of the business. Individual partners may concentrate on a certain aspect of the business where they have expert knowledge. Private limited company means members of the public cannot buy the shares and the shareholders cannot buy or sell their shares without agreement from the other shareholders.Family owned businesses or larger businesses such as Virgin would fit into this category. Public limited companies have shares on the stock market and can be bought and sold by any member of the public, this way the company can raise further capital and expand their resources. Tesco an d British Telecom are such examples. Tour operator and travel agents Thomas Cook (travel agents) and Airtours (tour operator) work together this helps both companies to attract a wider range of customers. Transport operator and tour operatorFirst choice (tour operator) and Thomson airways (transport operator) work together to offer the public a wider range of destinations and a better in-flight experience. Relationship between sectors Public sector and Private sector Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London and this is in the public sector. This park has been divided into two because of Lake Serpentine. Along this lake are a number of different attractions to view and enjoy. Serpentine Bar & Kitchen recently refurbished licensed restaurant selling hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.This comes under the private sector. Relationship between sectors Voluntary Sector and Private sector The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conserv ation of animals and their habitats. This comes under the Voluntary sector. Inside the London Zoo quite near the entrance you’ll find Oasis cafe; serving a wide range of hot or cold food and plenty of healthy options this comes under the private sector. These two sectors are connected because a travel agency sells holidays for a tour operator who will put together the whole package . . g. Lunn poly which is a worldwide travel agency sells holidays for Kuoni which is a tour operator that specializes in luxury holidays. Every time Lunn poly sells a holiday they will receive commission. Kuoni holiday packages are quite expensive, and appeal to a lot of people meaning big commissions. They aim in working together is to maximise the profit that can be made. First choice (tour operator) and Thomson airways (transport operator) work together to offer the public a wider range of destinations and a better in-flight experience.First choice organise the destination and living arrangemen ts while Airtours organise getting the customer to the destination. First choice gains a wider range of transportation options while Thomson Airways gains more customers meaning more profit. Hyde Park & Serpentine Bar & Kitchen work together perfectly because while strolling through the park customers may become hungry and want something to eat which is where Serpentine Bar & Kitchen comes in selling hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks. Hyde Park gains more profit while Serpentine Bar & Kitchen gains more customers.

An Introduction to Statistics