Oxford University Computing Services

Oxford University Computing Services building on Banbury Road.

Oxford University Computing Services (OUCS) provides the central Information Technology services for the University of Oxford.^[1] The service is based at 7-19 Banbury Road in central north Oxford, England, near the junction with Keble Road.

Oxford University Computing Services offers facilities, training and advice to members of the University in all aspects of academic computing. OUCS is responsible for the core networks reaching all departments and colleges of Oxford University. OUCS is made up of 5 technical and one administration group. Each group has responsibility for different aspects of OUCS services supplied to the University. The 5 technical groups are: Learning Technologies, Information and Support, Network Systems Management Services, Infrastructure Systems and Services Group, and Network and Telecommunications.

History

A lease on a house was obtained in 1957 and operation started in 1958, initially as the Computing Laboratory at 9 South Parks Road, a Victorian building, now demolished to make way for the Experimental Psychology and Zoology departments.^[2] In 1963, due to space problems, the staff and computers moved to 19 Parks Road, the old Engineering Building. In 1970, the Computing Service occupied 17 and 19 Banbury Road, having split from the Computing Laboratory, which became the academic computer science department for the University. By 1975, the Computing Service had taken over all of 7 to 19 Banbury Road, as it still does today. An outpost at 59 George Street in central Oxford closed in the mid 1990s.

Mission

The Mission Statement of OUCS is:-

• To provide high-quality and cost-effective IT services that meet the needs of the University and its members;
• to contribute to the University's wide range of IT training and relevant training resources;
• to foster and support excellence, innovation, best practice, and value for money in the use of IT in teaching, learning, and research across the University;
• to promote effective communication throughout the University IT community.

OUCS will fulfill its Mission :

• By operating, developing and supporting the University's primary computing infrastructure and services including facilities such as the network backbone and its external connections; central email, web, news, and backup servers; and other core university-wide support services including security and anti-virus support;
• by fostering the effective use of IT in all disciplines through the provision and development of training and courses, learning and teaching resources, and by such activities as negotiating advantageous arrangements for the supply and maintenance of hardware and software etc.;
• by actively supporting the work of, and collaborating closely with, IT Support Staff within the University;
• by developing centres of expertise in relevant areas relating to the application of IT;
• by promoting and demonstrating good practice.

Senior managers

Dr Stuart Lee is the Director, Computing Systems & Services. Dr Lee is an HEA National Teaching Fellow. Dr Mike Fraser is Head of Infrastructure Systems and Services Group. Roger Treweek is Head of Network and Telecommunications Group. Melissa Highton is Head of Learning Technologies Group (LTG). Sebastian Rahtz is Head of Information and Support Group. Wylie Horn is Head of Network Systems Management Services (NSMS), and Bruce Shakespeare is Head of Administration.

See also

• Oxford University Computing Laboratory
• University of Cambridge Computing Service
• Oxford University Computing Services is an affiliated member of the Sakai Project
• Oxford University Computing Services is a member of the Opencast Community
• Oxford University Computing Services host several national services including OSS Watch

References

1. ^ OUCS — Oxford University Computing Services, Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities (DARIAH).
2. ^ History, Oxford University Computing Services, Oxford, UK.

External links

• Oxford University Computing Services website
• OUCS user pages
• Oxford University Computing Services on Facebook
• The First World War Poetry Digital Archive
• The University of Oxford on iTunes U
• Press coverage of Oxford on ITunes U

Coordinates: 51°45′36″N 1°15′38″W / 51.7601°N 1.2605°W / 51.7601; -1.2605