Personnel Changes in Information Technology

New in Technical Support
Help Desk and Training Coordinator – Angie Estes

New in Administrative/Banner Support
Dawn Zachow - Database Analyst
Nathan John – Database Analyst
Erik Schroeder – Database Analyst
Sandy Litton – Database Analyst II

Changes and Additions

Wireless Network Access

Wireless access has been added to the Richards Treat University Center (RTUC) and the wireless network has been expanded to the 2nd floor of Shilling, making the entire building wirelessly accessible. Remember that the wireless access across campus has been configured to require authentication and dynamic encryption to stop unauthorized intrusion and eavesdropping. Some buildings on campus have guest access including Staley Library and RTUC. Refer to the IT website for directions to connect securely, access the Internet as a guest, and to see a listing of all wireless access on campus. http://www.millikin.edu/it

Printing

Printers have been placed in several residence halls on campus and the ability to print from a wireless laptop or a personal computer on the Millikin network to those printers has been added. Students now have access to print in the following areas: Aston, Blackburn, Dolson, New Halls 2, 3, 4, Weck, Hessler, Mills, RTUC-UIC, Mueller Lab, Tabor Lab, and ADM Scovill open area. By accessing this website http://printing.millikin.edu or clicking on Printing in the quick links on the Millikin webpage to install a printer on their computer, students will be able to print to that printer from anywhere on campus. The print monitoring system will alert them to the number of pages to be printed and they can either grant authorization to print the pages or delete the job. The print monitoring system will add the pages used to their total for any job authorized. The installed printer does not become their default printer but is added to the list of available printers they may use when they choose. Remember that all students are allocated 1000 pages per academic year, renewed in August each year.

Upgrade of Internet Bandwidth

Millikin’s Internet connection capacity was tripled in the spring of 2007. AT&T is the university’s local provider and all traffic is routed through the Illinois Century Network (ICN) in Champaign which gives the campus access to Internet2 routes. With this new connection, the university now has the ability to add additional bandwidth without having to purchase new equipment or change providers.

New Spanish Cable Channels

The VP of Enrollment in cooperation with IT, was able to obtain new programming for our Millikin cable TV line up. Three new Spanish channels have been added and are available in all residence halls and across campus where cable access is available. The new channels are 95, 96, and 97.

MOODLE Pilot

The Associated Colleges of Illinois and AT&T were the source of grant dollars to fund a cooperative pilot this fall of MOODLE software (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment). Millikin University is hosting the software which is an open source course management system; much like Blackboard but MOODLE requires no license fees. Several Millikin faculty are participating in a pilot using the software in the 2007 fall semester along with several other ACI college faculty. At the close of the fall semester, the Millikin pilot faculty group will analyze the results of the study and provide a report to the VPAA with a recommendation to either adopt or reject MOODLE as the university course management system in the future. Moodle courses can be accessed through the quick link on the Millikin homepage or by going to https://moodle.millikin.edu

VISTA, Windows XP, Office 2007, Office 2003

Millikin campus computers will remain operating on Windows XP and Office 2003 for the academic year. IT will be evaluating the possibility of upgrading to VISTA in the next school year but there are many variables that must be tested and hardware requirements that would have to be met. Please refer to the IT web site at http://it.millikin.edu and click on the Windows Vista and Office 2007 icons to read about any compatibility issues with Vista and our network resources. We will be adding to this information throughout the year for ways to switch back and forth between the newest versions of Windows and Office.

Off-campus Access to Library Database Resources

With financial assistance from the Staley Library and some good work on the part of the technology staff, there is now a proxy server that allows authorized off-campus use of several library database resources. Until now, students had to be physically on the Millikin campus network to search and use these databases. Students can now use these databases anywhere they have access to the Internet.

Banner

A new support delivery method has been established for the Banner staff. With the promotion of Jason Wickline to Senior Systems Analyst/Team Leader, the team now delivers support in a more distributed manner. Jason now meets with departmental staff to determine their needs and then allocates projects and jobs to the team members. The old model of support which designated “one person per department” left the university vulnerable in times of personnel changes. The new model creates more depth of knowledge among the staff and guarantees a continuous support structure.

Health Services Software – Medicat

A new and improved software solution has been implemented for Health Services. The replacement of the old system now allows the staff to schedule appointments, track immunizations, record histories, apply insurance codes, and bill for services in the same application. It is fully integrated with the Banner administrative system and replaces three disparate systems.

JIRA – New Issue Generation and Tracking Software for IT Support

A new software tool has been implemented to generate and track work orders for the IT Department. JIRA is available on the web for all employees to create work orders for IT assistance. Whether it is a request for a report, an MuOnline issue, a keyboard problem, a printing issue, or any other IT support request, it is entered into the JIRA system and followed through to completion. The software creates a communication stream for the requester and updates are provided through email regarding the progress of the issue. Each work order is tied to the strategic goals for the university allowing IT to track whether we are serving the technology needs of the campus and supporting the goals of the university.

Phone messaging upgrade

An upgrade to the university voice messaging software was performed over the summer which added to its functionality. The upgrade is a step closer to integrating our voice messaging with our desktop computers. We will eventually be able to check and hear our voice mails on our computers instead of dialing voice mail on our office phones.

Media Services Upgrades to Multimedia Classrooms

Leighty-Tabor Science Center
Rooms 117, 209, 224, and 326 have been updated with new projectors, a stereo sound system, a networked PC, and an interface for a laptop, VCR, and DVD player.
Rooms 115 and 208 have been fitted with Extron controllers (a central control switch that eliminates the need for remote controls for each component), new wiring, desk to ceiling conduit, and stereo speakers.
Room 001 has been fitted with an Extron controller which will integrate all six electronic components in the room.
Rooms 103, 108, 111, 112, and 115 will share a feed from a remote controlled simulation room housed in room 111. This will allow the School of Nursing (SON) professors to instruct a small group of students in one room and have it projected to the other rooms simultaneously. The sessions can be recorded, if desired. There is a closed circuit TV that allows SON personnel to monitor the equipment at all times.

ADM/Scovill
Rooms 208, 309, 313, and 315 have been updated with Extron controllers that integrate all of the technology in the room into one control panel.

Griswold
Room 226 has been merged with the offices in 225 to make one large classroom and has been equipped with full multimedia capability including lectern, Extron control system, new projector, computer and DVD/VCR.

Shilling Hall
The multimedia classrooms on the third floor now have desk to ceiling conduit installed. The wiring has been cleaned up to prevent any trip hazards and to allow room for expansion.
Room 409 is now a Smartboard multimedia room. The equipment from 421 was moved to 409 to allow 421 to become a language/communications room with comfortable furniture to create an environment more suited to discussion and interaction.
The east end of the 4th floor of Shilling will be promoting WJMU 89.5 by broadcasting the station on a newly installed speaker system just outside the Communications Department.