Information Technology Services activities
In the first quarter of 2015, Information Technology Services (ITS) launched new services to campus, continued to upgrade the campus infrastructure and completed various software development projects for campus counterparts.
New campus resources
Two pilot projects were launched: the ITS Service Desk and the 3D Printing Project in the Computer Center. Color printing was also made available to campus through the Pharos printing quota.
The ITS Service Desk was implemented to increase staffing in the Bartle Library Information Commons when classes are in session. The goal is to provide additional technical support for questions about systems and technology provided by ITS. No appointment is necessary and if additional assistance is needed, staff will make the appropriate referral to the central ITS Help Desk. Staffing for the IT Service Desk is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, with a collaboration of student and full-time staff from the Pods, Help Desk and ResCon program.
The 3D Printing Project is a pilot within the New Media Resource Center that offers students the opportunity to make 3D prints for coursework. Students are encouraged to stop by the newly constructed Innovative Lab on the first floor of the Computer Center to consult with the student staff, share ideas and collaborate on 3D printing projects that relate to their studies.
Lastly, ITS provided color printing to campus through the Pharos printing quota, which students use to pay for printing in the public areas. This service was previously available only through the University’s BUC$ program – an optional account established for convenience that can be used by simply swiping your Binghamton University ID to purchase services. Color printing is available in four convenient locations across campus and has received a positive response from students.
Updates to campus infrastructure
ITS works continually to maintain the complex technical infrastructure for the campus while working to make it more efficient for users. This is becoming more of a challenge as the campus continues to grow, renovate older buildings and add new ones. This quarter, ITS completed network installations in the newly renovated Nelson A. Rockefeller Center and the renovated Library North second floor. Initial discussions are now underway for the network needs in the soon-to-be-renovated Science 4 building and the soon-to-be-constructed pharmacy school.
Campus e-waste recycling continues to be a priority as we work to reduce our carbon footprint by properly recycling outdated machines and devices. In the past quarter, 24 pallets of e-waste were sent out for recycling, putting us ahead of where we were at the same time last year.
Other ITS projects
ITS completed 20 projects this quarter for various campus customers, including the NCAA Compliance Assistant Upload and the JumpForward program for athletics, a variety of upgrades for Banner workflows and implementation of the Studio Abroad software for the study-abroad program.
The Innovations Team completed a project last quarter to make the Student Opinion of Teaching (SOOT) Survey accessible from a mobile device. The SOOT was originally a paper process. The Innovations Team successfully collaborated with the School of Management, which used the mobile version of the survey to collect their results for the fall semester in combination with giving students time in class to complete the survey. The successful results for the School of Management have resulted in the mobile SOOT being rolled out to other schools across campus.