Oberlin Launches Technology Advisory Council to Elevate Campus Tech Integration
Oberlin College’s Center for Information Technology has introduced the Technology Advisory Council (TAC) aimed at enhancing technological coherence across campus. Chief Information Officer Marcel Mutsindashyaka emphasized that the TAC’s primary objective is to align technology investments with the institution’s goals while improving operational efficiency, minimizing risk, and fostering academic excellence.
The TAC comprises three core teams: the Strategic Team, Tactical Team, and Operational Team. The Strategic Team, featuring senior leaders including the president and deans, sets the overarching direction for technological initiatives. The Tactical Team, composed of key department leaders, translates these strategies into actionable plans, while the Operational Team focuses on academic technology and enterprise applications.
Among the TAC’s current priorities is the development of a clear technology procurement policy and the upcoming implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The existing system, Banner from Elucian, is outdated and unsupported, having been in use since 1995. Between 2025 and 2030, the TAC plans to roll out a modernized ERP that promises to transform workflows relating to student information, finance, and human resources.
Fourth-year Computer Science major Emerson Rosen-Jones, a member of the ERP Task Force, highlighted the potential benefits for students, including improved accessibility and more efficient course registration processes. "We’re hearing different voices," Rosen-Jones noted, referring to the inclusive approach being taken through monthly meetings and vendor showcases.
Mutsindashyaka shared the TAC’s vision of aligning technology investments with Oberlin’s evolving mission and enhancing transparency in tech initiatives through formal feedback loops between departments. The council aims to address not only user experience but also cybersecurity, cloud services, and digital equity.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
