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

Division of Information Technology
Radford University

Enhanced WiFi Security Requirement Takes Effect Nov. 6

To protect wireless network traffic, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) will discontinue the network named "ruwireless" on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Mobile devices that utilize wireless networking and have not completed the transition to "rusecure" will stop working until they are configured to connect to the new secure "rusecure" network. The "rusecure" network uses WPA2-Enterprise encryption to protect traffic between a mobile device and the network infrastructure.

New laptops distributed during the summers of 2011 and 2012 all have been configured to utilize "rusecure" by default. Other users should review their current configurations and change to "rusecure." When connecting to "rusecure," users will need to enter their RU usernames and passwords. Please Note: anytime a user changes their RU password, it will need to be updated on devices that are set to store usernames and passwords. Users should refer to the knowledge base at https://php.radford.edu/~knowledge/lore/category.php?id=4 for connection instructions.

Contact the Technology Assistance Center at (540) 831-7500 with any problems establishing this connection.

New Bus Tracker Tool Makes Riding Radford Transit Even More Convenient

Radford University and Radford Transit has unveiled a real-time bus arrival predictor and tracker, a tool that will make using the RT even easier for riders. The tool provides real-time information on the location, status and predicted arrival times of RT buses via the Web, mobile devices, SMS text messaging, telephone and through the RUmobile app. Users can also register to receive arrival notification alerts on their mobile devices or by email.

The bus tracker uses a sophisticated algorithm to predict how long a bus will take to get from one stop to another based on historical data. The more a bus travels a particular route, the more accurate the predictions will become. To learn more about the bus tracker and to access the web tracking tools, visit www.radford.edu/nextbus.

RUmobile 1.3 Offers New Functionality for Campus

RUmobile has been enhanced to provide more useful options for campus users. DoIT has received valuable feedback from students who say they like the app's convenient features. This important feedback has also included suggestions for additional useful options and has led DoIT to include the following enhancements in RUmobile 1.3:
 

• Bus tracker. View bus route maps along with predictions for bus arrivals.
• Directory. Search results can be added to users' phone contacts.
• Accounts. In addition to RU Express and Meal Plan balances, users can now view Lab Printing.
• Grades and class schedules. This enhancement offers easier navigation from one term to another and includes faculty schedules.
• D2L. A prominent main page icon and single sign-on capability.
• Social media. A sub-menu with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr access.
• Links. Includes a link for streaming WVRU Radio broadcasts.
• Info icon (top right). Provides options to sign in, give feedback or return to the main menu.
   

DoIT thanks the campus offices and personnel who assisted in reviewing and testing the new functionalities and options. Contact Jackie McNabb, director of Enterprise Systems, at (540) 831-7536 with questions or comments about RUmobile. To download the app, visit www.radford.edu/rumobile.

DoIT Increases H: Drive Storage Options

In response to a growing need for additional storage space on university H:drives, DoIT is pleased to announce that a new storage array that will dramatically increase H:drive capacities will be available soon.

H:drive size will increase from 750 MB (megabytes ) to 20 GB (gigabytes). In common units, this translates to new H:drives having over 26 times more storage capacity than old H:drives, increasing from 750 MB to 20,000 MB.

Along with increased storage capacities, new H:drives will also feature enhanced security measures enabling RU to further protect the safety and confidentiality of documents placed into the new storage array.

A byproduct of the enhanced safety features will prevent users from hosting old websites via the public html (www.radford.edu) or dynamic php (php.radford.edu) folders presently stored on their old H:drives. Additionally, access from the MyFiles tab on the MyRU portal and Unix (ruacad)/Linux will be unavailable for the new system. Users wishing to maintain older personal websites presently housed on their H:drives will be ineligible for the new system.

Additional information will be provided in October for users wishing to move to this enhanced storage.

DoIT Classroom Update

DoIT upgrades campus classrooms regularly to provide faculty and students with a technology-rich teaching and learning environment featuring the latest multimedia technology: touch-screen based control panels, high-definition projectors, electric screens, ceiling-mounted document cameras, Blu-ray/DVD players. Some rooms include height-adjustable podiums. Below is a recap of the classroom upgrades completed for this semester:

COBE

• 13 classrooms—COBE 121, 123, 137, 139, 151, 156, 163, 165, 167, 201, 204, 213 and 215 
• COBE 320, special lecture room
• COBE 340, multipurpose room
• COBE 275, behavioral laboratory
• COBE 203 features distance-education technology.
• 10 breakout spaces in COBE allow collaborative work space for students and two contain media:scape from Steelcase

8th floor of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

• DPT 8023, 8030, 8032, 8060, 8058, 8057, 8055, 8054 and 8052
• Three classrooms have the complete RU campus technology package of touch-screen based control panels, high-definition projectors, electric screens, ceiling-mounted document cameras, Blu-ray/DVD/VCR combo players and height-adjustable podiums.
• Five classrooms have full-featured multimedia carts that are readily available for making presentations.

Peters Hall electronic learning spaces

• Peters 103, 116, 117, 136, 137, 144, 146, 173 and 174 have been upgraded to new Crestron electronic switching.
• Peters 173 and 174 now have distance-education capability.

New campus locations with electronic lecture-capture capabilities:

• Walker 279
• Waldron 200
• Young 302 and 313
• McGuffey 203
• Peters 143
• COBE 137, 165, 204, 275 and 320.

RU Parking Reminders

The 2011-12 faculty-staff parking permits expire Sunday, Sept. 30. To avoid a parking citation, purchase and display the 2012-13 permit on or before Oct. 1. To purchase the parking permit online or in person, the following information is required to complete the process: vehicle license plate number, make and color.

Parking permit purchasing options

• Online
  Log into "My RU" and click on the "My Accounts" tab. Under the "Quick Links" box, click on "Parking" and then on "Purchase Permits," and follow the directions. Payment may be made by credit card or payroll deduction at this site.
• In person
  Visit the Parking Services Office in 152 Heth Hall. Permits can be purchased with a credit card, payroll deduction, cash, check or money order.
• Qestions
  Visit RU Parking Services from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 152 Heth Hall or call (540) 831-6361. Parking Services can also be reached by email or on its website.

Meet the DoIT Staff

Justin Thompson
Web Content Editor

How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
I was hired in Web Communications on May 25, 2012.

Family:
I am married to Hailey Thompson and am very close with my mother Chris, father Mike, sister Kelli, her husband David Lowe and my niece and nephew Melanie and Zach.

Hometown:
Tazewell, Va.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Sport and Health Education with a major in Sport Administration from RU in 2009.

Interests/Hobbies:
Playing basketball, golf, working around my house, going to the beach, lake, river or any type of water activity.

Favorite Vacation Destination:
Myrtle Beach, S.C. Going to Honolulu on Waikiki Beach on my honeymoon was great, though I don't foresee that becoming a regular vacation spot!

Favorite part of your job:
I get to work in technology, which is constantly changing, and still do what I love to do, which is writing and building websites. This job also has the perfect balance of home and work life, which I feel is very important.