An IT committee is a deliberative assembly that serves various functions around a university IT service, topic, outcome, or stakeholder group on a continual basis. Committees may report to an IT Governance committee but are not required to do so to maintain existence unless expressly defined by the IT Governance framework. An IT committee recognized by the IT Governance framework is required to maintain an approved charter, elect a chairperson, utilize a consistent membership structure, and conduct periodic communications. A committee may invite input from another committee on an ad-hoc or routine basis. A committee within the IT Governance framework holds decision rights to a university IT service, topic, outcome, or stakeholder group at the university-wide level unless the topic is within the domain of the CIO and Strategic Chairs Committee (CSCC). A committee may form one or more operational groups and receive input and presentations from those groups or any university stakeholder by invitation. Existing IT committees across the university that wish to become a recognized IT committee and report into the IT Governance framework must receive approval by the CSCC.

An operational group is a deliberative assembly that serves a specific IT committee(s). It is typically composed of experts in a specified area of knowledge or practice, in combination with the appropriate stakeholders. Operational groups can be continual in nature and may be disbanded at the discretion of their parent committee(s). They can be convened to accomplish a specific objective with the expectation that the group will disband when the objective has been completed. Operational groups offer input and recommendations to their parent committee(s), but not directly to other committee(s) unless expressly authorized to do so by the parent committee(s). Operational groups do not hold decision or funding rights to a university IT service, topic, outcome, or stakeholder group at the university-wide level. Operational groups are not required to maintain a charter unless directed to do so by the respective parent committee(s).

An IT advisory body exists as either a chartered or un-chartered group of individuals whose purpose is to represent the voice of a stakeholder group holistically without regard to a specific topic or issue. A chartered advisory body example could include the Faculty Senate or Student Government Association. These groups are intended to represent the collective interests of their constituents and actively lobby through informal or formal mechanisms for results that positively meet their interests. An unchartered advisory body example could include a group of IT directors from across the university who meet with the CIO for the purpose of advising on technical or operational topics of interest that are within the IT domain. Such a group would not require a charter and would meet on a recurring basis. Bodies of this nature may serve as an input to the IT Governance framework without the need for formal recognition as an input source, as it is within the purview of the CIO to consult such groups within the course of their professional duties or obligations.

IT communities of practice complete the work of addressing priorities outlined by an IT council or IT committee(s) and appoint a leader or leadership group who can foster participation, establish a charge, and develop clear success criteria. IT communities of practice are collaborative, university-wide communities of professionals dedicated to supporting one another and elevating a given service, topic, outcome, or stakeholder group on a continual basis. IT communities of practice are self-managing and gather individuals around a specific topic that is expected to be enduring, though may be disbanded when the topic is no longer relevant due to technology changes or incorporation into the IT Governance framework. All university students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate in the IT communities of practice unless prohibited by an IT community of practice charter. IT communities of practice do not hold decision or input rights in the IT Governance framework and are required to interact with a committee or council to voice input or tender recommendations. An IT community of practice example is the GoWeb initiative intended to enable collaboration of communication professionals across the university. A component of the former Information Technology Advisory Committee will be charged as an IT community of practice.