July 2017

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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

Email Fraud Detection

In May, the Radford University Division of Information Technology (DoIT) switched to a new spam and malware protection for email that will keep an eye out for spammers pretending to be members of the university community.

There are two privacy situations in which legitimate emails may be flagged as possible fraud.

The first is when a campus user sends an email to a non-Radford based listserv. The listserv sends the email out to all subscribers and back to you as a member of the list. In this case, our new detection tool suspects the listserv is pretending to be someone from Radford. These settings are controlled by the owners of the list and can not be manipulated by DoIT.

The second is when a cloud based system Radford University is using tries to send email using a Radford email address. In this case, we are able to whitelist the system so that these do not get identified as fraud.

If you suspect a university system's email is being flagged with this new tool, please contact the Technology Assistance Center (TAC) to start an ITOneStop ticket to resolve the issue.

Scantron test and exam scanning service relocated to Walker 153

The Scantron test/exam drop-off and pick-up location has moved from Walker 215 to Walker 153. The office is now in the same location as the Technology Assistance Center. The hours of operation will be from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Monday — Friday.

To drop tests off outside of these hours, a secure drop box is located outside of Walker Hall near the center of the building, facing the Tyler Avenue parking lot. With questions and for more information, call 831-7521 or email walkertc@radford.edu.

DoIT upgrades resident cable television system

Since 1994, Radford University has maintained a cable television system for resident students. In May, Radford University transitioned the cable TV system from DirecTV to Dish Network for a higher quality system that now offers almost 100 high-definition channels including HBO and Cinemax. Based on recent student surveys, this new lineup will better meet student preferences.

To allow for live broadcasts to campus from the television studio located in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences building, the system will include Channel 14.2. Channel 14.2 will provide Radford students the ability to produce and distribute original broadcasts over the campus cable system.

Mongoose texting solution to be implemented

For non-emergency notifications and reminders, Radford has selected a new solution for communicating to students by text messaging. Initially, Mongoose will be implemented by the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid. These offices will use Mongoose to notify students of upcoming deadlines, missing requirements or sharing other information that needs immediate student attention. In phase two, other offices that provide services to students will begin using Mongoose. The platform can also be integrated with other systems for data-triggered messages. As part of the Mongoose project, texting guidelines for non-emergency texting were developed and approved for campus use.

The Mongoose platform is used by many universities across the nation and improves communication by using a preferred mode of communications for students.

For more on this tool and texting guidelines, contact Jackie McNabb, director of Web & Mobile Technologies, at jamcnabb@radford.edu.

PeopleAdmin SelectSuite to launch this summer

The Department of Human Resources is partnering with DoIT to launch PeopleAdmin SelectSuite later this summer. The upgrade of PeopleAdmin delivers a user-friendly interface with more streamlined processes and flexible workflows.

The Applicant Tracking and Position Management modules will to go live first and provide new and enhanced features for talent management. The Performance Management module provides personalized professional development tools and will launch in October. The Department of Human Resources is also implementing Records Professional and Onboarding for the first time to automate additional processes and documentation.

The project team, composed of representatives from HR, the Office of the Provost, Academic Budgets, Budget & Financial Planning, Facilities and DoIT, have examined current business processes to configure the new system for efficiency and accuracy. The team considered current pain points in the old system and incorporated the new system's flexible configuration options.

"I have been very pleased by the progress of the People Admin Select Suite Project to this point. We have a very collaborative and engaged team of subject knowledge experts," said John Brooks, assistant vice president of Human Resources and a project sponsor. "I will be very excited to see the project come to fruition and the significant improvements it will bring to human resource services".

Project Management Best Practice: Defining a Project

In your department, you may have a variety of large and small projects as well as operational work. To improve efficiencies and achieve good outcomes, it is important to distinguish between all of these activities and choose the right approach and level of discipline.

Normally when thinking of projects, large initiatives such as developing a new product or service, installing or a new system or constructing a building come to mind. Projects or assignments, such as upgrading to a new system or revising an existing process, can be smaller in size and complexity.

Regardless of size, a project is defined as a temporary endeavor with a definite beginning and end that produces a unique project or service. Operational work is continuous, repetitive and usually undertaken to sustain the business, such as patching a computer or updating a website. The routine nature of operational work will not normally benefit from the overhead associated with project processes.

Consider these additional characteristics to help you decide on an approach to the projects you are working on:

• Requires a least 80 hours of work effort
• Work requires effort from more than one department
• Large expenditure for the department or organization as a whole
• High visibility or major impact on the university

Even small projects can benefit from structure or a simplified tool to manage tasks. Large projects require a great deal more discipline and documentation to keep it on track. Project management processes and tools are designed to be scalable and adaptable to manage projects effectively regardless of size.

Meet the DoIT Staff

David Lindsey
Auxiliary Services Tech Team Lead

How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University? 23 years

Family: My wife, Jenny, and daughter Chelsea.

Hometown: Radford

Education: New River Community College

Interests/Hobbies: Bicycling and racquetball

Favorite vacation destination: Arizona

Favorite part of your job: The different challenges I see every day.