Information Technology

January 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


Security Reminder
Departments that contract with third-party hosted systems for software, storage or services, and plan to store or send sensitive data, should know that DoIT must validate that the vendor is maintaining the appropriate security credentials on an annual basis. Vendors will be asked for security attestations in the forms of SSAE16, SOC2 reports, answers to security questionnaires or other audit reports.


Banner Tip
Online resources are available for the various Radford University Banner and Cognos environments. These resources include a Database Guide, Clone Schedule, Module Online Help for each Banner module, the Banner Bookshelf and the Cognos Metadata Documentation. These links can be accessed by going to https://inb.radford.edu. You must be on the Banner VPN to access this page.



DoIT Logo

Division of Information Technology
Radford University

Spring Semester: Tips for faculty

  • Reserve a computer lab - Walker, Young and other computer labs are available for ad-hoc reservations by faculty. The labs fill up quickly, so please make reservations now. To reserve a lab, simply log into MyRU, click on the Employee tab and then choose the Reservations for Instructional Classrooms link. Detailed instructions can be found on the IT Solution Library from ITOneStop.
  • Communicate with students registered in classes - Course email aliases are available for faculty use. The standard format for course aliases is ru-COURSE-SECTION-fall@radford.edu.
        Example: ru-engl446-07-fall@radford.edu
  • Report classroom issues - Faculty members are encouraged to report any classroom-related problems they experience so we can address the issue. For assistance, contact the Technology Assistance Center (TAC) at 540-831-7500.
  • Windows 10 classroom computer desktop shortcuts - In order to simplify the Windows 10 experience in classrooms, several shortcuts have been added to the desktop on classroom computers. The This PC icon provides access to the File Explorer interface for you to locate files on the computer. The Logoff icon provides an easy tool for logging off of the computer at the end of class. The PowerPoint and Chrome icons provide quick access to these commonly used tools.
  • Request additional software - DoIT asks that faculty members verify that any additional special purpose software is installed and functional in their classroom and/or computer labs. To have additional software installed, submit a request to the TAC, via ITOneStop http://www.radford.edu/onestop.

NEW Desire 2 Learn (D2L) support widget

A new Desire 2 Learn (D2L) support widget has been added to the main My Home D2L page. The widget includes several new options for Radford University faculty, staff and students to access 24/7 support from D2L:

  1. Call directly to 1-877-325-7778 or use 540-831-7500 and select option 3.
  2. Chat with a D2L technician.
  3. Submit question through online form.
  4. D2L resources that include short "how-to" videos as well as step-by-step training materials.
New D2L widget

PR40 Actions: Additional Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAFs) implemented

Phase 2 of the Banner Electronic Personnel Action Forms went live in October 2016. All EPAFs can be accessed via Self Service Banner under the Employee Menu. The current set of EPAFs include:

  • Budget/FOAP Change
  • Department Change
  • Department and Budget/FOAP Change
  • Grant Continuation with Budget/FOAP Change
  • Grant Continuation without Budget/FOAP Change
  • Hourly Rate Change
  • Job Termination
  • Job Title Change
  • Supervisor Change
  • Wage Continuation

Disposing of your old personal equipment

You should take care to ensure that there is no personally-identifiable data on your old phone, tablet, gaming console or computer when you discard it. These devices may contain passwords, financial data, tax returns and other sensitive information.

The FTC publishes guidelines on safely deleting your data prior to disposal:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0010-disposing-old-computers

Software licenses and authorizations (Apple) need to be moved and adjusted prior to wiping the system. Apple users need to de-authorize the old device before wiping it and record serial numbers for all the software you own.

Make a good backup of your device prior to erasure.

Cloud backup services are easy options for restoring your data, but it doesn't hurt to have a local USB backup for your computer. Phones can be backed up to computers as well. Follow instructions to reset the device to factory settings:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/01/17/reset-iphone-factory-settings/
http://ccm.net/faq/14221-samsung-galaxy-s-reset-to-factory-settings

https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/91186/~/how-do-i-reset-my-phone-to-default-settings%3F-(motorola-electrify-m)
http://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/VS980/Userguide/075.html

Computer hard drives should be securely wiped prior to disposal. There are a few utilities for this:
(Windows) http://www.fileshredder.org/

DBAN (http://www.dban.org/) is free and works on all platforms, but it doesn't guarantee that solid-state disks will be erased securely. Secure erasure can be accomplished with Blancco (http://info.blancco.com/).
Apple's built-in disk utility allows you to select security options for how many times you want to overwrite the erased data: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22241?locale=en_US

Gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation should also be wiped. There are instructions online for resetting these devices to factory default, but this will not completely erase data. If the console has an accessible hard drive, like a PC, you can use erasure tools to wipe the contents.

Your device should not be put into regular trash because of the harmful metals it contains. Find out about your local program for recycling technology waste. Goodwill accepts computers, but advises people to erase personal data prior to donation: http://www.goodwillvalleys.com/donate/environmental-initiatives/dell-reconnect/.


Technology Training

Academic Technologies offers a number of workshops each month for faculty and staff. If you would like to request a one-on-one, group or custom technology workshop, contact Academic Technologies at 540-831-7521 or acadcomp@radford.edu.

You may also visit the Solution Library at https://www.radford.edu/onestop for a variety of online tutorials, quick reference guides, how-to videos and articles to assist you with campus technologies.

To find out more details about what each session offers and to view a complete listing of training for the entire semester, please visit our training website.

February

Date

Time Location
Windows: Windows 10 Introduction Fri, Feb. 3 10-11:30
a.m.
Walker 216
D2L: Consulting Tues, Feb. 7 1-2 p.m. Walker 216
Internet Native Banner General Navigation Thurs, Feb. 9 9-11 a.m. Walker 216
iPad: Deployment Fri, Feb. 10 2-3 p.m. Walker 216
Banner Finance and eVA Wed, Feb. 15 8:30 a.m.-
noon
Walker 216
Office 365/One Drive Introduction Thurs, Feb. 16 10-11:30
a.m.
Walker 216
D2L: Consulting Fri, Feb. 17 2-4 p.m. Walker 216
Office: Word-Advanced Document Formatting Mon, Feb. 20 10-11:30
a.m.
Walker 216
Technology Tips for Administrative Assistants Tues, Feb. 28 9-10:30 a.m. Walker 216

Project Management Best Practice: Project Kickoff meetings

Get your projects off to a great start with a formal Project Kickoff meeting. This initial meeting should be scheduled before project planning begins in earnest. Meetings will help you establish clear expectations with your major stakeholders from the get-go. A typical agenda may include the following:

  • Welcome/Introductions
  • Business/Project Background
  • Project Scope Overview
  • Measures of Success
  • Constraints/Dependencies
  • Assumptions/Risks
  • High-level Timeline
  • Project Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
  • Next Steps

A well-organized, informative project kickoff meeting can motivate your team and put you on the path to project success. For more information, contact Denise Rahmes at extension 7607.


Meet the DoIT Staff

Jeremy JenningsJeremy Jennings –
CHBS Building IT Support Technician


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

Family: Four older brothers and a twin sister

Hometown: Christiansburg, Virginia

Education: Graduated in production technology from Radford University

Interests/Hobbies: Photography, hiking and trying to learn to make music come from strings

Favorite vacation destination: Camping in the middle of the woods in the mountains. The mountain range varies.

Favorite part of your job: Working with video technology and passing my current knowledge to students.