Office of Technology and Distance Learning (OTDL)
The Office of Technology and Distance Learning (OTDL) was established administratively in July 1998 by then Interim Chancellor Pearman to consolidate the two very important and interdependent functions on campus into one unit. One of the main reasons was to emphasize the importance of technology in higher-education, and hopefully, through the technology, UH Hilo would expand its student base to include off-campus University of Hawaii Education Centers on Maui, Kauai, and West Hawaii. Initially, the office was established to be under the office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. However, when current Chancellor Tseng came on board in August 1998, she decided that the office should really be reporting to the Chancellor's office as it served more than just the academic units. Thus, OTDL currently reports directly to the Chancellor and technical units, i.e., the Media Center, the Computing Center, Academic Computing, and Multimedia Lab formed the bases of OTDL.
Current Organization
The technology units in UHH consist of:
- Media Services whose primary function is to operate the Hawaii Interactive Television System (HITS) which delivers UHH and HCC programs to various University Centers and receives programs from primarily UHM;
- Administrative Computing whose primary function is to run the Student Information System, support various other administrative system such as, FMIS, HRS, maintain and install campus network, and maintain campus servers;
- Academic Computing Services unit who is responsible for academic computer labs, general student access, and to a certain extent faculty support;
- Graphics Services provides duplication (including business cards and letterhead stationary) and graphics design services; and
- Web and Multimedia Services supports distance learning and develops and maintains the UH Hilo and related web sites.
- Instructional Technology and Distance Learning Services (IT & DLS) assists faculty with incorporating technology into their curriculum; instructional design support for the development of hybrid, Distance Learning, and master courses; instructional research; and special instructional technology requests.
With additional personnel, OTDL will also establish a help desk where UH Hilo personnel will have one single place to seek assistance.