July 2011
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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
Security Tip
Control access to your smartphone by setting a password or PIN.
IT Tip
If you don't intend to use it right away, don't leave a CD/DVD in your disk drive. A spinning drive sucks laptop battery power like a sponge.
IT Sustainability Tip
Recycle printer toners and ink cartridges. For more on RU's toner cartridge recycling program, contact Stan Wilkinson, RU Recycling coordinator, at 831- 7807.
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Division of Information Technology
Radford University
24 Sites Added as New Radford.edu Celebrates Six-month Birthday
The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) bids a happy six-month birthday to the new Radford.edu! In January, RU's new Web presence launched with the "core" site, which included the Admissions and Alumni Relations sites as well as information about Radford University, academics and student life.
Since then, 24 additional sites have launched. Some were produced in partnership with the vendor who developed the core, Web Communications and the departments. Others have been collaborations between Web Communications and departmental liaisons or have been built entirely by a departmental contributor.
Click on these links to check out your colleagues' great work!
TV, Radio & Communication Services Joins DoIT
On June 1, the office of TV, Radio & Communication Services, operator of WVRU, Public Radio 89.9 FM, and manager of programming and support for the campus Cable TV system, joined the DoIT. This change will allow those responsible for daily operations of WVRU and the cable TV system to work closely with DoIT's technicians and engineers who currently provide support for those systems. The office of TV, Radio & Communication Service's staff consists of General Manager Ashlee Claud, Operations Director Jon Benfield and Office Manager Sandy Schronce who now report to Randy McCallister, director of Electronics Engineering and Communications Services.
As DoIT and WVRU strive to meet the needs of Radford University and the community, we welcome your feedback and comments at wvru@radford.edu or 540-831-6059.
Our Turn Training Workshops Set For August 16-18
Mark your calendars for the August Our Turn. Our Turn provides faculty members with an opportunity to take their turn as students. Dates have been set for Tuesday – Thursday, August 16-18. Our Turn will provide several "Overviews of D2L" sessions for those who haven't yet learned the new Desire 2 Learn (D2L) course management system. Among the workshops scheduled are "Using the Grade Book within Desire 2 Learn (D2L)", "How to Migrate and Organize Classes from WebCT to D2L" and "Making the Most Out of the Multimedia Podiums." There will be several "open lab" sessions where staff from Academic Technologies, Technology Assistance Center and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) will assist with other technology challenges users may confront as they gear up for the Fall 2011 semester. Detailed information on the August Our Turn will be forthcoming from the CITL.
Parking Permits Available Online
To save time and avoid lines this fall, RU faculty and staff can purchase their 2011-12 annual parking permits online for $72 with a Visa or MasterCard or by payroll deduction. The 2011-12 permits will be mailed to home addresses. Current permits expire Friday, Sept. 30, as new vehicle registration forms and payments are required annually. To purchase online, follow these steps:
- Visit https://myru.radford.edu
- Click on the My Accounts tab
- From the Quick Links box select Parking
- Click on Purchase Permits
- Choose the method of payment you wish to use. Credit card payments must be submitted with your registration form. Payroll deduction is available for full-time salaried and 1,500 hour wage employees.
Faculty-Staff 25 Meal Plans by Payroll Deduction Available Now
For $140, the Faculty-Staff 25 Meal Plan provides 25 meals at Muse or Dalton dining centers and has a $5.60 cash equivalency in Hurlburt or the Dalton shops. The meal tickets never expire. To purchase the 25-meal plan, visit www.radford.edu/ru-exprs and click on the "Faculty-Staff 25 Plan" link. Fill out the application and return it to the RU Express Office, P.O. Box 6992, Radford, VA 24142. The application includes complete instructions on payment methods, which include cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or payroll deduction.
To take advantage of payroll deduction, meal plan applications must be received by Wednesday, Aug. 10. However, meal plans may be purchased at any time using cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.
Meet the DoIT Staff
 Randy McCallister
Director, Electronics Engineering and Communications Services
How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
I have been employed at RU much longer but transferred to IT about eight or nine years ago.
Family:
Lydia, my wonderful wife, works in the RU Library. I have one daughter in Baltimore and three grandchildren. We also have our little sheltie.
Hometown:
I am from Huntington, W.Va. I graduated from Marshall University. Most people know Marshall these days from the plane crash in 1970 and the movie "We Are Marshall." Interestingly, I was the on-air announcer that night at the radio station that had just broadcast the game. I had the sad duty to announce to our listeners and the major radio networks that the plane carrying the team returning from the game had crashed into the side of a mountain. We lost our entire Marshall football team that night. Dr. Donald Dedmon was at Marshall at the time and later became president of Radford University.
Interests/Hobbies:
Broadcasting has always been an interest. I was involved in building high-power broadcast radio stations at locations around the world when I was with RCA. I was also on the National AM Stereo Radio Committee representing RCA. I have always been interested in electronics and have been a "ham" radio operator since I was 11.
I am an aircraft pilot, and I currently serve as a local flight instructor for private, instrument and commercial flight instruction in both single- and twin-engine aircraft. I am very proud to have introduced many people to my love of flying and allowed them to solo the aircraft and later earn a private pilot's license. Some of my students are now flying in the armed forces in some pretty fancy equipment.
Favorite Vacation Destination:
Wow, my wife and I have been very fortunate and have traveled to many parts of the world. I think one of the most enjoyable places we have traveled to was the small island of Sicily - a real treat! We enjoyed the food, the beauty and the lifestyle. Everything was on "Sicily time," a much slower pace than I was accustomed to.
Favorite part of your job:
I can say the answer in one word: technology. It is amazing how technology has shaped our lives and continues to evolve.
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