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Quick Notes
Congratulations to Kathy Kinney, Process Analyst in Enterprise Process Support (EPS) for her five years of service at Syracuse University.
Staff News
Please welcome Samantha Duncan, Jeff Fouts and Russell Pidsosny to ITS and Syracuse University! Please introduce yourself to Samantha, Jeff and Rusty and help them feel welcome here at SU.
Samantha Duncan |
Samantha joins Online Learning Services as an Online Learning Analyst. She will be assisting instructors and students with instructional technologies through presentations and consultations. Samantha comes to SU from Ontario, Canada where she recently completed her Masters of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Western Ontario. She also holds a BA degree in Honours History from Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Samantha's professional experience includes time as a library assistant at both Brock University and the University of Western Ontario, and most recently a position with Bank of America in Toronto. Samantha tells us "I am a Canuck who spells colour with a "u" but I suppose I will have to get use to the American spelling! In my spare time I enjoy reading, watching movies, and I'd like to enroll in cooking classes. I took up running last summer and one day I would like to participate in a marathon. I come from a family of 10 children and I recently found out I am number 93." Samantha's office in located in the AASC suite in 1-205 CST and she can be reached at saduncan@syr.edu and at x3099.
Jeff Fouts | Jeff has joined the Online Learning Services team of Academic Applications and Service Centers (AASC) as an Online Learning Analyst and will be assisting instructors and students with instructional technologies through workshops, events, consulting and other customer service activities. Jeff comes to Syracuse University from New Horizons Computer Learning Center in East Syracuse where he served as a technical instructor and a project management training specialist. Prior to that, he worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Empire Medicare Services, and Telergy in various training and project manager roles. He has spent what seems a lifetime learning and mastering all of the Microsoft products and has multiple technology certifications including Microsoft Certified Trainer, CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer, and Microsoft Certified Professional. Jeff loves to spend time with his four kids, Lindsey, Riley, Nate and Brady, enjoys playing recreational basketball, and is currently writing a book with his brother, Todd. Jeff's office is located in the AASC suite, 1-205 CST, and he can be reached at jlfouts@syr.edu and x2143.
Rusty Pidsosny |
Russell (Rusty) has joined the Learning Environments Unit as an Instructional Technology Consultant. Rusty is from Roseville, Michigan and is a recent graduate of Wayne State University, where he received his BS in Business Administration. He has extensive experience doing computer and technology support in classrooms and special events. He has instructed faculty and students in the utilization of classroom technologies, managed and distributed audio/visual equipment and served as an information source for routine classroom inquiries and problems. At SU, Rusty will be responsible for support of classroom operations and technical systems, classroom documentation, special events, and web support.
Rusty will work out of Newhouse III, room 155, and he can be reached at rjpidsos@syr.edu and x-5661.
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IT Professional Development
Staff on the cutting edge
June Szymanski completed LGL 304, Contracts and Commercial Law, which addressed contract essentials (offer, acceptance, legality of subject matter, consideration, contractual capacity and contractual intent) for creating valid contracts, addressing liability and remedies.
Kara Patten took an Introduction to Access class at New Horizons on April 26 and 27.
Matthew Schug completed IST 452, Advanced Networking, which focuses on the technical, design, and management issues related to enterprise computer networking.
Thomas Bunn completed IST 445, Managing Information Systems Projects, which explored project management as a professional discipline in information and communication technology.
Michael Clark completed IST 614, Management Principles for Information Professionals.
Publications
Conferences & Forums
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IT Out and About
Connecting with the campus and beyond
Humphrey Fellows at Maxwell
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Andy Clark attended a Farewell dinner for SU's 11 Hubert Humphrey Fellows, their hosts (he and his wife were hosts to three Fellows) and Maxwell staff on April 28th at Drumlins. This was the final official University event prior to the Fellows leaving for their 4-6 week professional affiliation at various organizations in the US prior to returning to their home countries. This ten-month, Fulbright Scholarship program, funded through the US Department of State, brings some 160 individuals from developing countries to 17 US universities to gain professional enrichment so they can be even more valuable to their countries. Fellows are selected based on their leadership potential as well as their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. Host universities are selected through a competitive bidding process and SU (Maxwell) "won" a five year "term", which has four years to go. SU had 11 Fellows this year from Israel, India, Liberia, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Moldova, Philippines, Tunisia, Korea, Dominican Republic. More information about SU's program (through the Maxwell School) can be found at: https://www1.maxwell.syr.edu/exed_humphrey.aspx?id=36507222855. Additional information about the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program itself can be found at http://www.humphreyfellowship.org/. Kara Patten and Cheryl Brown helped with walk-up registration for the Susan G. Komen CNY Race for the Cure held on May 15. Peggy Brown was an instructor for IST 444, Information Reporting and Presentation. Thomas Bunn served as a Teaching Assistant for IST 459, Introduction to Database Management Systems. Michael Clark was Teaching Assistant for GET 234, Effective Collaboration in a Globally Distributed Enterprise, and was Faculty Liaison for the SU Project Advance Information Technology course (IST 195). Michael Fudge was instructor of IST 346, Operating Systems Administration and IST459, Introduction to Database Management Systems. Roger Merrill was instructor for IST 445, Managing Information Systems Projects. |
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Tech Updates
Keeping current with software, systems, issues and devices
Summer Telephone and Network Installations - ORDER NOW!
For the next four months, the offices of Telecommunications and Network and Wiring Services, divisions of Information Technology and Services (ITS), will be very busy working on a large number of summer projects. These include the south campus wireless network upgrade, Bowne Hall and Lawrinson Hall renovations and renovations related to the network master plan. As such, we find it necessary to give SU departments advance notice regarding requests for telephone and networking changes that need to be completed prior to the start of the fall 2010 semester. In order for us to accommodate as many requests as possible, all requests for changes that are needed on or before Opening Week should be received by July 16, 2010. Requests received after that date will be handled on a first received, first available basis.
Requests for telephone installations or moves should be sent to Telecommunications, Skytop Office Building, Room 121, or emailed to telecom@syr.edu.
Requests for networking changes and services should be sent to Network and Wiring Services, 004 Machinery Hall, or emailed to netconn@listserv.syr.edu.
For Wireless Users and Those Who Support Them
First, a coverage update. Although the Network Master-Plan-related wired networking is still in progress, HBC is now 100% wireless.
Just a reminder that the official list of locations where ITS has wireless coverage that we stand behind can be found at http://its.syr.edu/connecting/wireless/locations.cfm.
Some clients will get coverage in other areas, but what is listed is the "guaranteed" coverage. (one map does need upgrading- Schine has new coverage in the Goldstein auditorium). If you see any issue with any of these locations, please let us know immediately at ndd@listserv.syr.edu.
Now, here is where we ask for help from those of you who are part of SU's IT community:
As mentioned, we stand behind the areas noted in this list and the associated coverage maps. If you sense that coverage isn't up to par in any listed area, PLEASE let us know. Along with this, please put just a little bit of effort into verification. For example, a single device having problems in one office does not equal an entire floor of poor coverage. But, that same device and another machine or two having the same problems start to paint a bigger picture. Don't hesitate to alert us to perceived issues once you've done some basic analytics appropriate to your support role.
Since we are all on the same team, it would be best if we get reports of questionable coverage from those we work closest with - you - as opposed to hearing from an end user that "my support person said that wireless in my area is known to be problematic" or similar. Put another way, none of you should be living with coverage areas that you don't think are as good as we claim, and shouldn't have to apologize to the clients that you support on behalf of the wireless (or wired, for that matter) networks.
Thanks very much!
Lee Badman
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Syracuse University Wins Campus Technology Innovators Award
National recognition for Ensemble Video and its automated media workflow systems
Syracuse University won a Campus Technology Innovators Award for Ensemble Video and its automated media workflow systems. This year, 11 winners were selected in six categories, out of 484 nominations submitted from higher education institutions around the globe.
"Ensemble is a great example of collaboration across SU," says Christopher Sedore, SU vice president for information technology and chief information officer. "It shows how campus IT groups can work together to bring innovative, effective, sustainable solutions to our diverse end users. Whether for academics or other functions, Ensemble enables the showcasing and sharing of content across our global community, building communities and outreach in pursuit of the University's mission. Congratulations to the team at Whitman and Symphony Video for their visionary work bringing this about."
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Onbase Upgraded in Anticipation of Windows 7 Rollout
Latest version brings new development system
The OnBase Information Management System was upgraded to version 9.2. Spearheaded by ITS's Enterprise Application Systems (EAS) group, the months-long project was completed on May 8 and involved teams from Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), Core Infrastructure Services (CIS), Energy and Computing Management (ECM) and many business departments.
"This upgrade was essential to prepare OnBase users for the rollout of Windows 7 later this year, since the previous version (v8.2) is not Windows 7 certified," notes Sam Scozzafava, Director of EAS. "In addition, the new version (v9.2) has several new features that can now be utilized, and includes the creation of a new development system, moving us to a traditional development-testing-production enterprise system support model."
Key Contributors to the upgrade effort include Diane Oad (ECM), Kevin Bom (ECM), Ken Seelman (ITS-ETG), Tim Jorgensen (ITS-CIS), as well as the entire OnBase Planning and Standards Committee (OPSC) who coordinated the planning and testing effort.
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SU recognized for hosting LM_Net listserv
Serving library media specialists worldwide for more than a decade
LM_NET is a discussion group open to school library media specialists worldwide, and to people involved with the school library media field. LM_NET can be used by library media people for many different things- to ask for input, share ideas and information, link programs that are geographically remote, make contacts, and more.
Since the beginning, the LM_Net listserv has been hosted by Syracuse University. Now 11,866 strong, the list has been growing for more than a decade. The current list manager is Blythe Bennett, the User Services Coordinator at the iSchool. Nelson Pardee, Support Analyst in ITS's Academic Applications and Service Center group is administrator of the Listserv software at SU, and provides support as needed.
Recently, a group of LM_Net members were moved to honor SU with their thanks and recognition for a job well done.
"LM_NET has become an essential part of the worldwide school library media community. It is widely recognized among the top 3 resources for school library professionals. And, Syracuse University is widely known globally and greatly appreciated for its support of LM_NET," said SU iSchool alumnus Mike Eisenberg G'86, now dean emeritus of the University of Washington Information School. "For me personally, LM_NET is one of the most important of my many professional contributions. And, I thank SU for its vision as to the importance of Internet services and willingness to be a leader in providing guidance and support."
While the recognition was expressed modestly by the group, it was certainly heartfelt. As one well wisher put it, "You help me do a better job every day. Thanks a million!"
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MySlice to Get a New Look June 13 Existing functionality retained, stage set for future features
On June 13, 2010, MySlice will upgrade to a new look and feel consistent with SU's main web site ( www.syr.edu). MySlice provides students, faculty and staff a secure, online gateway to all essential University resources including the course catalog, class registration and schedules, grades, advising, and transcripts. It also allows access to financial aid, tuition, housing and meal plan information and services. Other services include human resource and student administration management tools; financial, accounting, and budget tools and information; the University's data warehouse; and employee and student personal information services. MySlice is found at http://myslice.syr.edu/. The redesign will occur as part of the upgrade Information Technology and Services (ITS) is making to the PeopleSoft Portal application, the software behind MySlice. This upgrade will encompass infrastructure and technology changes, setting the stage for future implementation of new features. The upgrade will retain MySlice's existing functionality, while adding a few minor changes, plus a whole new look. The upgrade will also bring two new features: the ability to drag and drop pagelets to arrange MySlice pages as desired, and menu tabs with drop-down lists across the top of the page to replace the navigation that was on the left side of the screen. The new MySlice design uses the same visual look and feel as the University's main web site. "By engaging SU's Marketing & Communications group, we were able to create consistency with SU's overall web presence," said Eric Patten of ITS, "we are very pleased with the results." Many of the interior pages of MySlice will also carry the new look. "We think that users will be able to use the new MySlice without any trouble, and will enjoy the enhancements," Eric said. "Once users get accustomed to the new look we'll begin to implement new desired functionality." For a non-functional preview of the new MySlice portal, visit http://psdocs.syr.edu/sudocs/images/myslice.jpg. MySlice will be best viewed using Internet Explorer 7.0.5 or higher in Windows XP, Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista and Windows 7, and Firefox 3.5.5 or higher in Windows Mac OS X and Linux. In order to use MySlice, users must have JavaScript turned on in their browser and not have any popup blockers actively running. Users who need instructions for controlling Javascript and popup blockers should consult their browser's Help pages. Users who have an internet favorite for MySlice may find that it no longer works after the upgrade. To fix this, delete the old MySlice favorite/bookmark, then direct the browser to https://myslice.syr.edu and re-save the favorite. Similarly, desktop shortcuts for MySlice should be updated to point at https://myslice.syr.edu. Users' "My Links" that were set up within MySlice will be transferred with the upgrade and function the same as they do now. Contact the ITS Service Center at (315) 443-2677 or help@syr.edu if you have any questions or need assistance with the new MySlice. Questions about the upgrade or redesign project can be directed to Erik Anderson at (315) 443-9680 or esande01@syr.edu. If you have ideas or questions about how the new MySlice portal can be used for other projects, please contact Erik, or Sam Scozzafava at (315) 443-4027 or sjscozza@syr.edu. |
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Be Sure to Protect SU's Data
A reminder from Chris Sedore
Colleagues:
Please review this annual reminder for new information regarding the importance of safeguarding the University's electronic data when disposing of, transferring, recycling, or selling University equipment. Thank you for taking responsibility to make sure that sensitive University data is kept from making its way into the wrong hands.
As electronic equipment becomes more advanced, the list of devices about which we need to be concerned keeps getting longer, and now includes:
- computers
- digital copiers
- scanners
- fax machines
- cellular phones
- personal digital assistants (PDAs) and hand-held mobile devices
- flash drives (also known as jump drives or thumb drives)
- external hard drives
- digital storage media (CDs, DVDs, tapes)
- and any other devices that store or retain electronic information.
To aid compliance with University policies concerning data removal from electronic devices ( http://supolicies.syr.edu/it/data_removal.htm), please ensure your administrative offices and department IT staff are aware of and observe the following data security measures: - Per policy, all obsolete University computing equipment must be disposed of through Excess Property (http://purchasing.syr.edu/purchasing/). This policy covers recycling, donation or sale to any non-University entity. Electronics must be recycled. CD and DVD media must be shredded prior to disposal.
- Any computing equipment deemed obsolete or excess property must have all University data deleted prior to its transfer, disposition, or sale to prevent the accidental distribution of information outside of the University, as per policy (http://its.syr.edu/security/policies/Data_Sanitizing.pdf).
- Also per that policy, colleges, schools and University administrative offices are responsible to ensure that all data is sanitized from any hardware prior to its being sent to Excess Property or NorthEast Surplus & Materials, (the company that recycles the University's obsolete computers).
If there are questions or concerns about proper destruction of data, or a need to drop off old CDs, DVDs or hard drives (not whole computers) that hold University data, please contact ITS at help@syr.edu. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact me. Christopher M. Sedore
Vice President for Information Technology/CIO
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IT Connections is published monthly by Information Technology and Services at Syracuse University. Please submit story ideas and news items to Chris Finkle. |
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