Information Technology

September 2014

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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


IT Security Tip
Writing your password on a sticky-note and sticking it on your monitor makes it very easy for password thieves. Hiding it under your keyboard or mouse pad is not much better. These are common hiding places for passwords. The only place your password should be is in your mind.



IT Tip
When giving a PowerPoint presentation, you can press the letter "B" on your keyboard to "blank" the screen.



Accessibility Tip
Know when to use a PDF. While a PDF preserves a document's appearance, it can cause problems for users who have screen readers. Consider making the content plain text on a webpage instead of a PDF unless the format is essential.



DoIT Logo

Division of Information Technology
Radford University

Constituent Relationship Management implementation has begun

DoIT recently kicked off several projects to implement a comprehensive, integrated Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) solution for several departments within University Advancement, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.

The Radford University Leading Edge (RULE) initiative will provide University Advancement with tools to acquire supporters, boost retention, improve fundraising effectiveness and enhance alumni relations. This project includes the implementation of Raiser's Edge and NetCommunity from Blackbaud, as well as ImportOmatic and PostOmatic from Omatic Software. Advancement staff looks forward to using the fully installed system by the summer of 2015 to begin building stronger relationships with donors and alumni while strengthening their fundraising capabilities.

An enterprise CRM implementation is also in the planning stages for Admissions, Advising, Career Services and Student Affairs. DoIT recently signed an agreement with Hobsons to install Radius for Student Lifecycle Management and AgileAdvisor for flexible appointment scheduling, tracking and streamlined communication between advisors and students.

Radius is designed to engage students during recruitment, enrollment and through to graduation. With Radius, staff can manage day-to-day contact with constituents, create dynamic cross-media marketing campaigns and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. For prospective students, Radius allows administrators to build multipage application forms and online self-service tools.

AgileAdvisor, included with the Radius solution, provides convenient online student/advisor communication with an easy-to-use appointment log and advisor dashboard that facilitates note taking, to-do-lists and follow up communication.

The first phase of the Hobsons CRM implementation will focus on enrollment management with a target 'go live' in December 2014

. Upon completion of Phase 1, subsequent implementations will extend CRM functionality to other areas in Advising, Career Services and Student Affairs.


MyRUID has launched

The Division of Information Technology has implemented a new Identity & Access Management system called MyRUID. This system provides improved functionality to manage your RU account, reset your account password, and activate new RU accounts. Future phases of the project will include functionality to request sponsored accounts, manage guest, club and departmental accounts, and publish online forms.

All existing or new users who have not completed the Account Activation process through MyRUID since August 14, 2014, are required to complete the Account Activation process. All accounts MUST be activated by November 3, 2014.

Step 1 - Activate your MyRUID account
All existing and new users are required to "activate" an account within MyRUID. Note: If you have activated since August 14, 2014, you have completed this step. To activate your account, please go to http://my.radford.edu and follow the instructions online.

Step 2 - Use all functionality of MyRUID
After activation, users will be able to use MyRUID functionality shown below. Instructions are located in the Knowledge Base at https://php.radford.edu/~knowledge/lore/category.php?id=140.

Tap below for a larger screenshot of MyRUID.
using MyRUID
If you require assistance with MyRUID, please contact the Technology Assistance Center at 540-831-7500.


PowerPoint 2013 has new features

You may have experienced a new look and feel during the first week of classes regarding how PowerPoint presentations opened in "Extended" versus "Duplicate" view.

This change is a new feature in Office 2013 and was installed in multimedia classrooms that have only Hewlett Packard machines at the podium.

Due to some unexpected disruption in some classrooms, the decision was made to revert back to the traditional "Duplicate" view. If you are still experiencing issues in the classroom, please contact the Technology Assistance Center at 831-7500.

Although PowerPoint now opens by default in the traditional "Duplicate" view in all classrooms, the new features are still available and users are encouraged to view this short Microsoft video that highlights the following features in PowerPoint 2013:

  • View all slides at a glance so presenters can jump between slides easily.
  • Provides pen, laser pointer and zoom-in feature to highlight items.
  • Allows presenters to Black Screen to get audience attention away from PowerPoint if needed.

Don't fall for phishing

At the beginning of each semester, phishing attempts increase by a significant amount. Phishing is a common type of spam that can lead to theft of a user's personal information.

Phishing attacks work through "spoofed" emails made to appear as if they came from a legitimate website with which a user has online dealings and at which the user has set up an account. Common spoofed accounts may come from what appears to be a user's bank, credit card company, Internet service provider (ISP) or workplace.

The phony email may ask a user to reply with pertinent account details to "update security," for example. The phishing email may also provide a link to a spoofed website or pop-up window that mimics a real site. In reality, the site to which the link connects has been set up for the purpose of obtaining a victim's personal information, such as credit-card numbers, passwords or other account-specific details.

To protect yourself:

  • Never respond to emails that request personal financial information.
    Reputable organizations do not ask their users/customers for passwords or account details in an email. If you think the email may be legitimate, contact the company by phone using a number from official documents or from its website. Be sure to access the official website by typing in the URL manually and not from an email.
  • Be cautious about opening attachments and downloading files from any email, regardless of its source.
    If systems of trusted friends or colleagues have been compromised, messages could be sent from those systems without their knowledge.
  • Visit important websites by typing the URL into the address bar and not by clicking on email links.
    Phishers often use links within emails to direct their victims to a spoofed site, usually to a similar address such as "mybankonline.com" instead of "mybank.com." The URL shown in the address bar may look genuine, but there are several ways it can be faked to take a user to a spoofed site. Again, if you suspect an email from your bank or online company is false, do not follow or retype any links within the email. Access the known address only by typing it in manually.
  • Keep an eye on your accounts.
    Log into your online accounts. Check your statements often. If you see any suspicious transactions, report them immediately.
  • Keep your computer secure.
    Some phishing emails or other spam may contain spyware or open a "backdoor" that allows hackers access to your computer with a "trojan." Maintaining the latest antivirus software will help detect and disable malicious software but will not stop phishing emails. Make sure you keep your operating system up to date, and download the latest security patches for your Internet browser.
  • Never guess. Always ask.
    If you receive a suspicious email and are uncertain what to do, contact RU's Technology Assistance Center at (540) 831-7500 or your ISP. You can also contact the organization that you believe is being spoofed and ask them if the questionable email is legitimate. Never be afraid to ask. Your skepticism could save you time, money and embarrassment.

As a reminder, no one from Radford University will ever ask you to confirm your account or your account password. If you ever receive an email like this, or if someone calls you asking for your login information, contact the IT Security Office at itsecurity@radford.edu.


Technology training offered

Academic Technologies and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) offer training opportunities to support RU faculty and staff. Technology-focused classes scheduled throughout the year cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Adobe Connect • Outlook – Intro and Advanced
• Banner • PowerPoint – Intro and Advanced
• Desire to Learn
  D2L)
• Video - Creating and Sharing Video
   in D2L (Kaltura)
• Excel – Intro and
   Advanced
• Windows 8.1
• iPads  

Visit the CITL Training and Development System to view the current schedule of classes and enroll in a session. To learn more or request a one-on-one, group or custom technology training, contact the Academic Technologies Office at acadcomp@radford.edu or by phone at 831-7521. You can also check the DoIT Knowledge Base for a wealth of online tutorials, Quick Reference Guides, "how-to" videos and articles to assist you with campus technologies.


Technology Support Services, voice and video communications

Voice and Video Technologies provides expertise and support in the use of web conferencing (Skype, Adobe Connect), classroom recording (lecture capture), telephones and video conferencing.

The goal of this team, managed by Don Hall, is to enhance support to the university's academic and business mission via these technologies. With the introduction of several new video conferencing technologies on campus, DoIT can now support high definition video conference experiences that feel like an in-person classroom or meeting.

This department is also home to RU's telephone switchboard (540-831-5000).

If you are interested in any of the following areas, this team is available to provide assistance.

  • recording classroom lectures to allow students to review concepts outside of class
  • guest lecturer or subject matter experts speaking with your class via video technologies
  • web conferencing
  • video interviews
  • reviewing your current office / department phone configuration and setup
  • setting up a conference bridge for a voice based conference call

For more information regarding these technologies, contact Don Hall at dlhall@radford.edu. To setup a telephone bridge or general questions regarding phone service, email tel-serv@radford.edu.


DoIT annual report for 2013-2014 available online

The Division of Information Technology's annual report for 2013-2014 is now available online at http://www.radford.edu/content/it/home/about/annual-report.html. The annual report provides an overview of the division's major accomplishments fom year to year, as well as goals for the upcoming year.


Meet the DoIT Staff

David BaileyDavid Bailey
Manager, Systems Administration and Services


How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University? I have worked for the Division of IT at RU since the fall of 2012. Prior to coming to RU, I worked for the Department of Correctional Education, later to be absorbed into the Department of Corrections, Technology Services Unit.

Family: My wife, Terra, two daughters, Dakota and Lindsey, and two sons, Hunter and Bryson. I have three grandchildren, Avonmora, Archer and Kellum.

Hometown: Roanoke, Va.

Education: ECPI, Wayland Baptist University, University of Alaska, and Mary Baldwin University.

Interests/Hobbies: Travel, hunting, shooting, fishing, camping, just about anything outdoors.

Favorite vacation destination: Somewhere quiet with a warm sandy beach.

Favorite part of your job: My favorite parts of my job at RU are the people and the technology.