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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

CMS Upgrade Brings Enhanced Features to Users

This summer, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) upgraded the CQ5 content management system to CQ5.5, its latest release. The upgrade was completed in the preproduction environment on July 16 and in the production environment on July 23.

This new release brings much-desired functionalities, among which are:

• Undo and redo. Authors can use keyboard shortcuts to undo and redo changes, including adding, editing, removing and moving paragraphs; adding, removing and changing files and images; adding, removing and changing annotations; copying, cutting and pasting items; changing page properties; and adding and removing references. CQ5.5 stores a history of actions so users can undo up to 20 edits using Ctrl-z (Windows) or Command-z (Mac). This functionality will be available beginning this fall.
   
• Support for additional browsers. The new release supports additional platforms for content administrators, including Internet Explorer 7, 8 and 9; Firefox 3.6x, 10 and 13; Chrome 19; and Safari 5.1. Previously, only Firefox 3.6x was supported for content administrators.
   
• Improved stability and performance. While the previous release of CQ5 was stable and performed well, the upgraded version is expected to offer even greater stability and faster performance for content administrators.
   

This summer, DoIT obtained licensing to implement a superior solution for storing digital assets and providing content administrators greater access to a variety of stock photography for their websites. The digital asset manager will also make these resources available in high-resolution formats for print and other non-Web projects. The system is expected to be implemented during the 2012-13 academic year.
 

DoIT Makes Upgrades to Banner

Upgrades affecting the Banner Student, Advancement and Finance modules were installed to the Banner system recently.

Among the new functionalities that will benefit Banner users are:
 

• Student INB
  • A new query form (SLQMEET) is an option now available from SSASECT that will allow users to search for available classrooms at the times and days specified.
     
• Student Self Service
  • When students or faculty and staff look up classes in SSB for a chosen term, SSB now breaks the class out by course. For example, it used to be that all sections for every history course listed would appear to those wanting to take a specific history class. Now SSB takes users to an intermediate screen that lists just the courses; users can select a course to view only those sections of interest. The new feature makes a cleaner screen presentation of the available sections, rather than each history course displayed at once.
     
• Purchasing
  • The new eVA integration kit will enable compliance with upcoming state data standard initiatives for vendor information.
     
• Finance INB and Self Service
  • A new form (FGITINP) and new Self Service functionality have been added to allow users to query pending documents. These forms and pages can be used to view the current status of each pending document and other details for the finance transactions in process.
     

If you have any questions about the new functionalities, contact Lisa Blackwell in Enterprise Systems at 6835 or email lablackwell@radford.edu.

D2L Upgrades Set for Aug. 1

Desire 2 Learn (D2L) will be updated on Wednesday, Aug. 1, to version 9.4, the latest release, with several minor system updates. The upgrade will not provide a major change to the user interface. Please be advised that D2L will be unavailable all day on Aug. 1 due to the scheduled update.

System Outage to Occur on Aug. 5

DoIT will be replacing a switch in the primary campus data center on Sunday, Aug. 5, from 8 to 10 p.m., affecting many campus systems. The campus Web presence and email will continue to function, but MyRU, Banner and most other systems will be unavailable during this two-hour period.

DoIT to Host Our Turn Workshops Aug. 14-16

RU faculty and staff will receive email announcements shortly about workshops and times for the upcoming Faculty Development Center August Our Turn, to be held Aug. 14-16.

Online Option Simplifies Buying a Parking Permit

Campus parking permits for 2012-13 can be purchased online with Visa or MasterCard, or by payroll deduction; permits will be mailed to home addresses. New vehicle registration forms and payments are required annually. In addition to the normal faculty-staff permit for $72, faculty and staff can get a special faculty-staff annual permit for use of the Burlington Lot for $7.

To purchase the 2012-13 parking permit:

• Visit https://myru.radford.edu and sign in.
   
• 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.
   

Meal Plans Available for Faculty, Staff

The Faculty/Staff 25-meal plan provides 25 meals at a total cost of $144. The plan is good for the entire school year and can be redeemed at the Muse or Dalton dining halls or for a $5.80 cash equivalency in Hurlburt or the Dalton shops.

To purchase a 25-meal plan:

• Visit http://www.radford.edu/ruexpress
   
• Under "Forms" on the right, select "Faculty Staff 25 Meal Plan."
   
• Fill out the application, and return it to the RU Express Office, P.O. Box 6992, Radford, VA 24142.
   
• The application has instructions on payment methods, which include cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or payroll deduction.
   

Meal-plan applications must be received by Friday, Aug. 10, to take advantage of payroll deduction. Meal plans may be purchased at any time using cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. For more information, contact the RU Express office at (540) 831-5054.

Meet the DoIT Staff

Victor Gibson
Senior Applications Developer/Analyst

How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
I have worked in DoIT Applications Development for almost a year

Family:
Mother and sister

Hometown:
Roanoke

Education:
B.S. in mathematics, Roanoke College

Interests/Hobbies:
Reading, fishing, napping

Favorite Vacation Destination:
Anywhere on the water

Favorite part of your job:
Helping other people