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1986-1995

The Divisions, 1986-1995 subseries (2 linear ft.) is most substantive for CITI (Center for the Information Technology Integration), primarily with documentation for the development of IFS. The $40 million prototype system, known at inception internally as "Strawman," was collaboration with IBM orchestrated by Van Houweling and directed by Gregory Marks. The records provide detailed technical documentation for the development of the software that allowed data to be shared among different computer operating systems without users having to engage in explicit file transfer procedures. The files also include a 1990 history of the project, media announcements, meeting minutes, correspondence, notes and planning documents. The evolution of the project is evident in "Summary of the IFS Project," 1988; "IFS: An Overview," 1988; and in a folder entitled "Contract Negotiations," 1988. Some additional documentation on the IFS project is held in the Computing Center record group. Less extensive, but interesting, material exists for other ITD units: Network Systems, Research Systems, User Services, University Information Systems, and Instructional Technology Systems. Of particular interest in the Research Systems file is a report to the director (Bert Herzog) raising issues, concerns, and offering recommendations during a 1990 reorganization planning period. The folder also contains notes for a dialogue with Van Houweling two years later, after significant downsizing and a lack of clarity on the future of MTS led to uneasiness among staff. Instructional Technology Systems files document the management of campus computing sites, sales and services for instructional computing. Network Systems files offer some illustration of the work of the unit in coordinating several campus and national networking initiatives, including MichNet, UMnet and UMTel, the Telecommunication Systems Office.