ACNS and IMC Merge to Become Academic Technology Services (ATS)
03/25/2008
On November 21, 2007, Libraries, Computing & Technology Vice Provost Dave Gift announced the merging of Academic Computing and Network Services (ACNS) with Instructional Media Center (IMC). The new name for this combined department is Academic Technology Services (ATS). This blending of departments facilitates continual improvements and better integration of instructional technology support services using the strengths of both units to improve overall service levels.
People in need of traditional ACNS and IMC services may continue to use the same websites, e-mail contacts, phone numbers, and business procedures as they have in the past. Additional information is available at ats.msu.edu.
Background
Effective November 16, 2007, nearly all of IMC functions and staff began reporting through Deborah Powell to Tom Davis, director of ACNS. On December 1, 2007, these same functions and staff formally became a team within ACNS called “Media Services”. One exception to the affiliation of IMC and ACNS was the IMC Audio-Visual/Digital Media Services group, which was moved into Broadcasting Services (BCS) on January 1, 2008. AV/DMS, augmenting and complimenting existing BCS services, continue to provide event recording services.
This name change for ACNS comes four years after a previous name change. On March 14, 2004, the Computer Laboratory was renamed Academic Computing and Network services (ACNS) to better reflect the department’s mission and services offered. Instructional Media Center (IMC) has maintained the same name since 1966. From 1952 to 1966, IMC was known as The Audio Visual Center and was housed in quonset huts on campus.
About Academic Technology Services (ATS)
Academic Technology Services (ATS) is one of seven departments under the Office of the Vice Provost for Libraries, Computing, and Technology at Michigan State University (MSU). ATS is committed to providing the more than 50,000 students, faculty, and staff at MSU with the academic technologies they need in support of teaching, learning, and research. ATS provides, operates, and maintains the university’s network, instructional technology, and campus-wide computing services.
Academic Computing Services operates the centrally-supported course management system, ANGEL; an extensive network of computer labs and technology classrooms; MSU Computer Repair; a dynamic web hosting service; and test scoring service.
High Performance Computing Center facilitates discovery through the use of high performance computing. Its mission is to provide high quality, high performance computing services to the research community at MSU.
Media Services provides comprehensive multimedia and instructional technology support services in all university designated classrooms and computer labs, along with creative design and photographic services.
Network Services manages and secures the university network; provides students, faculty, and staff with file storage and Web page space; and maintains the central e-mail and NetID systems at MSU.
Support Services provides computing sales through the MSU Computer store, technology education, support, and training; Web design; and oversight of datacenter operations.
