Information Technology

March 2013

MyRU


RU Home
DoIT Website
Technology Support
Policies and Standards
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


IT Security Tip
Be assured, no one from Radford University will ever ask you for your password. Anyone calling and asking you for your password is most likely trying to gain unauthorized access to your account. If you receive such a call, notify the IT Security Office at itsecurity@radford.edu.



IT Tip
To start a new page in Word, press the Ctrl key followed by the Enter key.



Accessibility Tip
Avoid using elements that flicker or flash elements on a Web page. They can increase the risk of optically induced seizures among some readers.



DoIT Logo

Division of Information Technology
Radford University

DoIT transitions student email from LIVE@edu to Office 365

During March, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) is working with Microsoft to perform a required migration of student Live@edu email accounts to Microsoft's new Office 365 for education. The upgrade is occurring behind the scenes, and users should not experience downtime.

Office 365 for education combines the familiar Office Web Apps of Live@edu with the anywhere access of services such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync Online. With Office 365 for education, students will have access to free email, online document viewing and editing, and additional features and collaboration capabilities.

Once this transition is complete, DoIT will be able to review and determine if additional Office 365 functionality may be available to faculty and staff.

DoIT is excited about this migration and looks forward to providing students with these additional collaborative online services that improve and enhance the online experience.


Tips for using social media to promote your program

Many RU departments and programs are using social media accounts to promote themselves.

The Web Communications staff at DoIT offers these account management and copywriting tips:

  • Be concise. Make what you have to say "short, sweet, and to the point."
  • Be respectful. Remember, anyone and everyone can see these posts. Make sure whatever is written reflects the proper image for Radford University to all audiences.
  • Be timely. If you decide to launch a social media account for your department or college, you must also be willing to update it frequently with the most current information.
  • Be responsive. Posting information is just half the battle in social media. You must also monitor feedback to the information you provide and respond accordingly.
  • Be accurate. Do not post something you do not know is accurate.
  • Be accountable. You and/or the university could be held accountable for what is posted online. Do not post anything erroneous, anything that could be considered a copyright infringement or anything illegal.
  • Be "real." "Talk" online as you would in a real-life conversation. You're real, and so are the people reading what you write.

Using this form, let us know about your social media site so it can be added to the Radford University Social Media Directory. Questions? Email rusocial@radford.edu.


Desire 2 Learn makes transition to version 10 this summer

DoIT is working with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and Desire 2 Learn (D2L) to upgrade D2L from version 9.4 to 10.1. The upgrade is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.

The upgrade will include several exciting enhancements and features:

  • a new "minibar" to provide easy access to courses.
  • alerts and personal settings.
  • a new interface that includes grouping of tools and content options in a dropdown menu format.
  • a dropbox enhancement which includes the ability to save feedback as a draft and then release to students all at one time.
  • discussion enhancement which allows the instructor to require students to post a message before reading other student posts.
  • an enhancement that allows direct access to the "linked grade" icon with fewer clicks from the gradebook to the grade item.

A demonstration of the new interface and features will take place on the following dates:

    Wednesday, March 27 10:30 a.m. - Noon in Walker 279 (iLab)
    Thursday, April 11 2-3:30 p.m. in Walker 183
    Friday, April 26 9-10:30 a.m. in Walker 279 (iLab)

Registrations for the sessions is not required. Users teaching summer school are encouraged to register for one of the May Our Turn workshops May 13 – 17 for additional hands-on training on the new version.


DoIT to make digital signage changes

DoIT is planning a new method of delivering digital signage to the campus. Any campus connected digital television will soon be tuned to channel 14.1 HD and will feature RU news and information. The new digital signage system will feature enhanced functionality along with weather and news feeds, and a new screen design that will provide instant recognition and an appealing dynamic display.

On completion, 65 viewing locations with new 46-inch LED TV monitors will be available on campus. Technically, the new monitors will reduce the university's power consumption and will allow a "closer to wall" mounting capability. The system will have network monitoring to ensure the digital signage conveys all campus emergency notifications and is constantly powered up.


DoIT to upgrade Cognos ODS

On Monday, March 18, the campus Operational Data Store (ODS) was upgraded to the latest version. The ODS is the data repository used when reporting with the Cognos tool.

The upgrade has been in process for several months in the Data Warehouse and Reporting area in collaboration with Database Administration and the various data owners. Significant testing has taken place to ensure that the current reporting structure will continue to meet the university's operational reporting needs.

Should any problems or questions arise regarding the upgrade and the system performance, contact Manager of Data Warehouse and Reporting Carrie Silliman at (540) 831-6501 or clsilliman@radford.edu.


Self-service Internet Native Banner password reset tool now available

If you forget your Internet Native Banner (INB) password, it can now be reset unassisted. To do so, log into MyRU and navigate to the My Accounts tab. Once there, access the Internet Native Banner password tool within the Account Settings channel.

The instructions at the following link will walk you through the process: https://php.radford.edu/~knowledge/lore/article.php?id=443.

If you experience problems while using the tool, please contact the Technology Assistance Center at (540) 831-7500.


Meet the DoIT Staff

Ted JacksonTed Jackson
Senior network technician


How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University? I have worked at RU for nearly six years, and I am still learning the intimate design details of the various buildings on the campus.

Family: My nuclear family includes my beautiful wife, Lizeth, and two spoiled, lazy cats.

Hometown: I was born in Philadelphia but was transplanted to Chapel Hill, N.C., at an early age. I have since spent the majority of my life in the Old Dominion, and I consider Virginia to be my home.

Education: In 2006 I was awarded an A.A.S. degree in computer electronics technology from Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke.

Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy learning about history and political science. I also like riding motorcycles and shooting firearms, although not necessarily at the same time.

Favorite vacation destination: The most interesting place I have visited is El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico—a beautiful colonial city that was the birthplace of the legend of Zorro.

Favorite part of your job: I enjoy building new telecommunications rooms. It's like assembling a giant Erector Set, and you can achieve a huge sense of accomplishment with a few days of hard work.