Interim Chief Information Officer Wendy Dixie reported that TATA International has been chosen as the Oracle PeopleSoft implementation partner and that the contract for the implementation has been signed. Ms. Dixie also stated that the first phase of the implementation, the project planning phase, was in the beginning stage. Ms. Dixie predicted that it will take approximately 9-18 months to implement the Oracle PeopleSoft system and replace Banner as the University's Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") System.
Ms. Dixie reported that the new ERP system should make data easier to access and analyze and provide more informative reports. President Burse added that the new system would be “transformational,” in that it will be more intuitive and more accessible and will provide consistency in reporting across departments. The new ERP system should also improve internal auditing because it will track internal controls and contains improved financial reports.
Ms. Dixie also reported that in January 2016, Blackboard will be moved to a cloud-based system. Data storage will also be moved offsite to the Commonwealth Office of Technology ("COT") in January of 2016.
No Board action was taken in regard to the Information Technology Report.
Ingram Quick summarized his job duties as Internal Auditor as a dual report to the President and the Board of Regents. This working structure allows him to be more independent. His main objectives are to audit KSU's departments to ensure they are in compliance, to safeguard assets, and to ensure good governance. He will have an audit plan at the beginning of next fiscal year. Thus far, he has tagged high risk areas such as Payroll and Bursar's Office for review. Internal Audit will focus on all University processes.
No Board action was taken in regard to the Internal Audit Report.
Melinda Impellizzeri stated the Strategic Plan is an important document for the University. A 22-member team made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others in the community have been involved in twelve meetings since mid-April to discuss the development of the plan. They have also held community forums, conducted surveys, and have done extensive research as to where the University