Accomplishments
The revised CALL Facility has received very positive reactions from frequent users. After adding 10 additional stations, the facility has been reaching 100% capacity during weekdays and additional students are occupying the non-computer-equipped workstations.
The newly renovated CALL space. Photo credit: Marcus Greenshields
The new Applicant Information Reporting System enables academic units to efficiently view and manage program-specific questions and application materials for students applying to their programs. This will enable academic units to more efficiently make admissions decisions, forward offers of admissions to prospective students, and increase the overall competitiveness of the University of Victoria in recruiting the best and brightest students.
The FAST reporting system was upgraded from version 4.2.16 to version 4.3.1. This new version brings a change to the navigation and layout of the application, and also provides the capability for users to have pinned reports sent directly to their inboxes at predetermined intervals.
Desktop Support Services (DSS) staff supporting Residence Services (RESS) completed a desktop refresh project (PC0571). This project deployed 11 new computers to staff in RESS. The computers that were replaced were out of warranty and many did not support BitLocker whole disk encryption using TPM. This refresh ensured that the new desktops and laptops meet the University’s core technical requirements and are based on the latest Technology Solutions Centre (TSC) Windows 8.1 image.
The transition of payment card services from Beanstream to Moneris was completed, including new pin pads at checkouts, new online hosted payment pages, and new online virtual terminals.
Over the month of October, DSS upgraded Java on 1400 desktops and laptops on campus. This was done by pushing the new version of Java out to DSS supported computers that are joined to the UVIC Active Directory domain and are associated with the System Centre Configuration Manger (SCCM) service. All updates were done remotely and did not require DSS staff to do site visits to individual computers. These computers are now running a more secure version of Java which should reduce the number of computers that are infected by Viruses and Malware.
Around Campus
DSS staff supporting Athletics and Recreation Services (ATRS) deployed 9 MF4100 OneCard payment terminals on all point of sale locations in ATRS. This will allow students, faculty and staff to pay for ATRS services with funds on their ONECard.
We provided all technology support to COHERE 2015 conference held simultaneously at UVic and Dalhousie on Oct 22 and Oct 23. Our Media Services team worked to coordinate all local and remote presenter technology requirements and webcast the keynotes. We are working with the conference organizers to post the recordings on the COHERE website.
We webcast “The Global Warming Hiatus: What’s Up With That?” with Dr. John Fyfe, on October 21, 2015.
We are preparing to provide all technology and support for the Provost Diversity Research Forum which is to occur January 21-22 2016.
We are continuing to develop and test the standard Windows 10 software image for UVic. This will form the basis of the standard operating system for future computers available through the Technology Solutions Centre and our computing facilities.
We’re Connected!
The Project Management Office SharePoint site has been migrated to Connect. All University Systems staff have read access to the site. Project Managers who have taken Connect Level 3 training can now request individual Connect project sites to help manage project documentation. If you have any questions or need any help navigating the new site, please contact systemspmo@uvic.ca.
The General Office SharePoint site has been migrated to Connect. If you had existing permissions within the old General Office SharePoint site, you will continue to have the same permissions to complete/process/upload documents. Any questions about the new site should be directed to trish@uvic.ca.
The General Office staff had fun showing off their Halloween costumes.
Connect Level 3 training for site administrators is available online through CourseSpaces! Visit the Connect Training site for more information.