(2)    Powers and duties. The department shall ensure maximum utility, cost-benefit and operational efficiency of all telecommunications systems and activities of this state, and those which interface with cities, counties, villages, towns, other states and the federal government. The department, with the assistance and cooperation of all other agencies, shall:

      (a)    Develop and maintain a statewide long-range telecommunications plan, which will serve as a major element for budget preparation, as guidance for technical implementation and as a means of ensuring the maximum use of shared systems by agencies when this would result in operational or economic improvements or both.

      (b)    Develop policy, standards and technical and procedural guidelines to ensure a coordinated and cost-effective approach to telecommunications system acquisition and utilization.

      (c)    Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all state-owned or leased telecommunications equipment and services.

      (d)    Monitor overall state expenditures for telecommunications systems and prepare an annual financial report on such expenditures.

      (e)    Review the operation of all telecommunications systems of this state to ensure technical sufficiency, adequacy and consistency with goals and objectives.

      (f)    Perform the functions of agency telecommunications officer for those agencies with no designated focal point for telecommunications planning, coordination, technical review and procurement.

   (3)   Private college and university participation in state telecommunications network. The department may allow regionally accredited 4-year nonprofit colleges and universities that are incorporated in this state or that have their regional headquarters and principal place of business in this state to participate in any telecommunications network administered by the department.