By Alison Birk
Staff Writer

A search committee has been accepting and reviewing applications to fill the newly created position of executive director of technology to overlook technology on campus.

David Cook, vice president for academic affairs, said he came up with the idea for the position because technology plays such a large role on campus.

"Gordon (Murray, director of Technology Services), has more work than he can do," Cook said. "We need more people at that end of the game," he added.

Murray had no comment, saying he had no information on the matter.

Cook said the director's duties would include budgeting and implementing technology campus-wide, and he or she would be responsible for all information systems.

"They'll be in charge of the whole enchilada," he said.

However, he said he could not predict how the duties of the new director and of Murray would differ. "A lot of things overlap," he said. "It depends on the background of the person and what they're able to bring aboard."

Cook heads the committee, which includes two faculty members and five administrators. He said he hoped to hire someone "as soon as possible."

Cook said he kept the committee small to expedite the process. However, to make sure all interested parties could meet the candidates, he said the candidates would come to campus.

On Oct. 20 and 21, Howard Ramagli, higher education counseling manager for KPMG Peat Marwick in Illinois, visited the university. So far, he has been the only one to visit the campus, Cook said.

"Technology services is so important to all aspects of the university. We need more people with technical background," Cook added.

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