Monthly Archives: February 2019

Update: IT Resources

IT Training Resources

All of our training materials are now available online. Simply visit scranton.edu/ITtraining to access our new SharePoint folder. Authentication will be required.

Website
We have created the following new web pages in response to various campus requests:

Social Media
We invite you to follow us today at our respective social media websites listed below.

Twitter: @ScrantonTSC

Facebook: The University of Scranton’s Technology Support Center

Security Spotlight: “Are You Available” Gift Card Email Scam Targeting Faculty and Staff

Our Information Security Office has received several reports of email scams targeting University faculty and staff that involves the purchase of gift cards.

The email begins with subjects like “Follow up” or “Are you available?” and if the recipient replies, the attacker continues to portray a University leader explaining that they are in a meeting and can’t take calls. They urge the recipient to buy gift cards for them promising to reimburse them later.

The end goal is for the criminal to be sent gift cards on the “leader’s behalf” and email pictures of codes to them with the promise of later reimbursement.

**If you receive such an email, DO NOT RESPOND and forward the email to infosec@scranton.edu**.

If you received a similar email and you purchased gift cards, please contact the University Police for assistance and forward the original message to infosec@scranton.edu.

Previous story related to this topic:
Office Tip: Forward an Email Message as an Attachment

Computer Budget Forms for FY19/20

Microcomputer budget forms for academic and administrative computer requests for FY19/20 will be emailed to department heads in February and will be due back to IT early March 2019. In light of limited budgetary resources, the evaluation and prioritization of these technology requests will focus on providing efficiencies in the administrative and academic areas.

As a reminder, each employee should have only one system. If your current computer equipment does not meet your needs in performing your job, please make sure to contact your supervisor before the forms are submitted. Full-time faculty are on an automatic four-year renewal cycle and do not need to be requested. IT staff members will meet with departments who have computer labs to determine what’s needed and are available to meet with all departments to assist in this process.

If you have any questions, please email itassets@scranton.edu.

IT Assessment: MISO Survey Results

In collaboration with the Library, the Division of Information Technology asked the University community to provide feedback on its services. The survey was conducted last February through March, 2018. The survey was administered to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff.

Measuring Information Service Outcomes (MISO) is a web-based quantitative survey that measures how faculty, students, and staff view library and computing services (IT) in higher education. The MISO Survey provides information on:
• the services and resources that are important to users
• how successfully services and resources are delivered
• the effectiveness of communications about services and resources
• users’ skill with software and databases
• additional skills that users want to develop and the preferred manner of acquiring them
• software and hardware tools used by faculty, students and staff
• benchmarks for delivery of library and computing services

The results of the survey were shared with the faculty Technology Advisory Committee, the Administrative Technology Advisory Committee, the Provost Council and the Student Senate.

In response to the feedback from the survey, IT will be focusing its effort on providing additional support and instruction regarding file storage solutions and backup management. We will also be focusing on providing our constituents with additional opportunities to familiarize themselves with online safety best practices and cybercrime prevention.

Review the survey results.

Business Process Improvement: Annual Report System

Over the past year, the Planning & Institutional Effectiveness and Information Technology units have been working together to develop a replacement technology for the longstanding electronic Annual Report System. Drawing from prior assessments of the system, and feedback gathered through a pilot phase this fall, the new SharePoint-based tool will enable users to more easily submit, share and archive information and documents related to planning and continuous improvement. In addition to ease of usage, the new system is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision-making. The system will also streamline resource request processes.

More information, including training resources, will be shared with academic department chairs, administrative department heads, and others involved in the Annual Reporting process in the weeks ahead. The new system is set to launch in early April. Much gratitude goes to IT for collaborating in the development of this innovative new system.

With questions, please contact Kate Yerkes, Assistant Provost for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness at kathryn.yerkes@scranton.edu.

Written by Kate Yerkes, Assistant Provost for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness at The University of Scranton