At their meeting Thursday, The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents will review a recommendation from University President Mark Schlissel for the creation of a new position: vice president for information technology and chief information officer.
In a press release Monday, Schlissel said he sees the new position as instrumental in gathering and making use of the power of information, noting that information strategy, policy and technology are increasingly important factors in the effectiveness of the University.
“To optimally position the University for the future in this critical domain, I propose a new vice president for information technology and chief information officer,” Schlissel said in a statement. “This position will ensure that information strategy is appropriately considered in both short- and long-term decision making and planning for the University.”
Schlissel said the new vice president position would additionally be responsible for overseeing the formation of a unified information technology strategy for the University and health system.
Laura Patterson, the University’s current chief information officer, announced in January that she would retire this summer. Patterson is currently an associate vice president and reports to Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
As a vice president — of which there are currently 10 — the new role would instead report directly to the president and additionally serve on the University’s executive leadership team.
A search for the position is scheduled to begin following the regents’ approval.
Along with the new position, the regents will also consider a new Master of Science in Nursing graduate program.
Correction appended: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated agenda topics for the upcoming regents meeting.