Hudson Valley, University at Albany to Share Information Technology Services

Hudson Valley and UAlbany are the first of SUNY's 64 campuses to share IT facilities, an initiative expected to lead to additional shared opportunities.

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 31, 2013) -- The University at Albany and Hudson Valley Community College (Hudson Valley) have formalized an agreement to share information technology (IT) services and facilities. UAlbany and Hudson Valley are the first two of SUNY's 64 campuses to share IT facilities, and the initiative is expected to lead to additional shared opportunities.

The schools will serve as each other's secondary data centers under an agreement signed by presidents Robert J. Jones of UAlbany and Andrew J. Matonak of Hudson Valley.

UAlbany will move its back-up physical and virtual servers, and network equipment, to the community college by the end of this year. The University will provide reciprocal services to Hudson Valley when its new data center facility opens in 2014.

"We’re living in the digital age, and it’s critical to maintain computer information and services around the clock," Matonak said. "Hudson Valley is delighted to partner with UAlbany as leaders in SUNY’s shared services initiative that’s enhancing efficiency and saving money."

"This is a win-win for our institutions," said Jones. "Both UAlbany and Hudson Valley Community College will have safe and efficient IT backup sites, and the blending of resources complements Chancellor Zimpher's overall plan for schools to share physical facilities and services."

UAlbany’s Chief Information Officer Christine Haile agreed. “Having a secondary facility at an off-site location is very important economically, and is a best practice for each of the campuses.”

Haile and Hudson Valley’s CIO Steve Chen were honored by SUNY with the University Award for Systemness Innovation during a recent shared services conference in New Paltz.

Since launching a shared services initiative in August 2011 under SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, the 64 campuses of the state university system have partnered to generate a net savings of more than $20 million. The funds are being reinvested in growing academic and student services, such as expanded course offerings and full-time faculties, and support of on-time degree completion.

As part of the agreement, a dedicated fiber link between the two campuses will be installed by First Light Fiber, formerly Tech Valley Communications.

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and workforce and academic preparation programs offered through the Educational Opportunity Center. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the college has an enrollment of more than 13,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and worker retraining. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.

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