Information Technology

February 2012

MyRU


RU Home
DoIT Website
Technology Support
IT Policies & Procedures
DoIT News
DoIT News Archives

Division of Information Technology
P.O. Box 6888
Radford, VA 24142
Phone: (540) 831-5173
Fax: (540) 831-6217
Email: cio@radford.edu


Security Tip
Passwords are like bubble gum; they are better when used by only one person. Do not allow another person to know your password, and keep your password secure from others. Putting your password on a sticky note under the keyboard is not secure.


IT Tip
If a file or folder in Windows is accidentally deleted, it can be restored by going to the computer's Recycle Bin and selecting the "Restore All Items" option.


IT Sustainability Tip
Turn off your computer at night to conserve electricity. If all the world's 1 billion PCs were powered down for just one night, it would save enough energy to light up New York City's Empire State Building, inside and out, for more than 30 years.


DoIT Logo

Division of Information Technology
Radford University

Campus is at Your Fingertips with RUmobile

RU MobileTake Radford University everywhere with RUmobile, a mobile application for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

RUmobile offers useful tools for students, faculty and staff. From a campus directory to class schedules, RU Express balances to dining menus, the app provides a mobile way to interact and stay connected.

Production of the app was a collaboration of Enterprise Systems, Web Services and Web Communications involving a task force of students, faculty, staff and administrators. Informal focus groups with students also helped the team learn which features were most desired. The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) partnered with the GIS Center to create the campus maps and worked with Dining Services to integrate menus into the app.

To download the app, search for "Radford" on the App Store or the Android Market, or visit www.radford.edu/rumobile.


Annual Recertification For Sensitive Systems

RU's annual Banner user recertification process will begin soon. DoIT will again be using an online process that will feature several enhancements to make it more user-friendly and efficient. Among those enhancements are:

  • Functionality has been added to include four systems: Banner INB, Cognos, CS Gold (RU Express) and HMS (housing). The screen will display users' current accesses so they may indicate that continued access is necessary for performance of their jobs.
  • Supervisors will be able to approve or deny individual user recertification for each system.
  • For Banner INB, supervisors will be able to view the classes and processes to which users have access.

All users of these sensitive systems and their supervisors will receive additional information in an email to be distributed soon. To ensure continued access to the systems, please adhere to the stated deadlines.


Web Communications Receives Recognition From CASE District III

Radford University's Office of Web Communications received an Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III in the multimedia project category for its recent Halloween videos and website.

On Oct. 31, the Office of Web Communications replaced the four student profiles on the university's main website with four monsters—students transformed by their classmates using costumes and makeup. The team also created a "Happy Halloween from Radford University" website featuring a profile of each monster, a video featuring the monsters and their faculty mentors and behind-the-scenes, time-lapse footage showing the monsters' transformations.

The project began in early September and took about six weeks to complete. The goal was to showcase student work, drive traffic to the Radford University website, raise the profile of the university and lighten the mood on campus mid-semester.

Jaime Hunt, Meghan Williams and Jaslyn Gilbert were recognized by the judges for designing, coordinating and executing the project, which more than doubled the typical number of daily visits to the Radford University homepage and boosted new visits by 88 percent.

Receiving recognition for this project raises RU's profile. While the Office of Web Communications conceived and produced this project, we couldn't have done it without the support of the faculty, staff and students who participated, including faculty members Monica Weinzapfel, Tod Burke and Margaret Devaney; James Pennix, interim vice president of enrollment management; make-up artists Lyndsay Halpin, Jason Krage and Noah Kaplan; and student monsters Felix Birdie, Danie Curtis-Williams, Nick Hagood and Taylor Huslak


Technology Purchase Assistance is Available

As departments plan technology-based purchases for hardware, software, audio visual and other items, the DoIT can serve as a resource to assist with planning and acquiring price quotes. For such help, contact Academic Technologies at (540) 831-7521.

While planning technology purchases, it is important to keep in mind any assistance that might be needed for setup, installation, configuration or network connectivity. If these additional services will be required from DoIT, contact the Technology Assistance Center at (540) 831-7500 as soon as possible so the timing of projects and scheduling can be planned appropriately.


DoIT Offers Technology Training

Academic Technologies and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) provide training opportunities for faculty and staff, including classes in software like Desire 2 Learn (D2L), Vision, Excel, Outlook and Adobe Connect.

Visit the CITL training registration site to learn more about upcoming opportunities.


Meet the DoIT Staff

Fonna AlleyDonna Alley
Assistant Manager, Auxiliary Services


How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
Almost three years in IT and full-time at Radford University for almost 25 years.

Family:
Shirley Alley, my mom; Randal, Terry and Steve, my brothers; and my dog, Angel. All in Pulaski County.

Hometown:
Radford

Education:
Pulaski County High School and RU.

Interests/Hobbies:
Music: church pianist, studio pianist and accompanist for RU's Deliverance Gospel Choir. Have also played for various gospel groups and soloists. Love to read as well.

Favorite Vacation Destination:
New York City

Favorite part of your job:
Problem solving!