COVID-19 Updates
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Western Carolina University Division of ITWelcome to DoIT News
From updates on major projects and initiatives to the professional and educational achievements of our staff, our goal is to keep you informed on how we’re working to better serve you today and in the future. We welcome your feedback. If you have a question, comment or suggestion, please contact us.
Latest Updates
Banner Personal Services Replacement
On August 31, Personal Services (Banner 8) in myWCU will be updated to Banner 9. This update provides an enhanced user experience for easier use and navigation. Although an overall outage is not required, some existing Banner URLs in myWCU will be unavailable for up...
IT Service of the Month: Domain Name System (DNS)
WCU provides DNS (Domain Name System) hosting services for the university as well as for qualifying related organizations. The DNS translates computer names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This naming structure makes it easier to access resources on the internet...
Curative Analysis: ‘Own IT’ Update for July 2022
The Curative Analysis team in IT is tasked with finding the causes of significant IT issues that affect campus. In this news update, we draw your attention to some of the problems being investigated or issues handled recently. WCU-Guest Access: On June 13, users...
IT Service of the Month: Share Drive Access
We provide data storage and backup services to meet departmental data storage needs. This service includes user rights management and remote access. This service is sometimes referred to as Saturn or the H: Drive. Both Windows and Mac computers with an Ethernet...
Curative Analysis: ‘Own IT’ Update for June 2022
The Curative Analysis team in IT is tasked with finding the causes of significant IT issues that affect campus. In this news update, we draw your attention to some of the problems being investigated or issues handled recently. Clearspan UC One Connect: On May 12,...
IT Service of the Month: Extension/Phone – Rename, Add, Remove
WCU offers Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service. Request changes to an extension or phone such as renaming, adding, or removing a phone or line. Submit a Request for Phone Service Eligibility WCU Faculty and Staff Service Availability Monday-Friday, 8-5....
Curative Analysis: ‘Own IT’ Update for May 2022
The Curative Analysis team in IT is tasked with finding the causes of significant IT issues that affect campus. In this news update, we draw your attention to some of the problems being investigated or issues handled recently. Wired Network Connectivity: On April 21,...
IT Service of the Month: Application Authentication Services
Modern authentication service (the university’s standard authentication service) is available for most web and cloud-based applications. The service provides a common, secure, central login service for both local and cloud-based application authentication as well as...
Curative Analysis: ‘Own IT’ Update for April 2022
The Curative Analysis team in IT is tasked with finding the causes of significant IT issues that affect campus. In this news update, we draw your attention to some of the problems being investigated or issues handled recently. GlobalProtect for Mac: On April 4,...
IT Service of the Month: Softphone
Service Description A softphone is a piece of software that allows users to make telephone calls over the internet via a computer or smartphone. You may request changes to a softphone, such as adding or removing a license to use a desktop application or smartphone...
COVID-19 Resources
Teaching and Working Remotely
Fall 2020 Classrooms with Enhanced Audio Connectivity for Hybrid Sections
As part of the preparations for hybrid teaching in WCU classrooms, additional audio connectivity was installed to allow for the use of a personal microphone, as well as to assist in the use of common software tools using the classroom audio system. Read more......
Q&A Sessions Scheduled for Fall 2020 Classroom Technology
The Coulter Faculty Commons and the Division of IT will be hosting virtual panel sessions to answer your questions and offer information on Fall 2020 classroom technology along with some general guidelines for use, adoption, and support. Sign-up for a session today!...
Fall 2020 Audio Enhancements for Hybrid Sections
As part of the preparations for hybrid teaching in WCU classrooms, additional audio connectivity was installed to allow for the use of a personal microphone, as well as to assist in the use of common software tools using the classroom audio system. Below are a few...
Policy Considerations of Classroom Tech Use
The recording of any student’s personally identifiable information is subject to University Policy 122, which identifies specific requirements that must be met in order to use video capture in a classroom environment. These policies apply to both in-person courses and...
Guidelines for Technology Adoption
Download the chart F20_WCU Approved Tools to review the approved tools, their use cases, and various advantages and disadvantages. Introduction There was a time before COVID-19. In Spring 2019, a national survey from EDUCAUSE found that the majority of...
In the News: Zoom Security
You may have seen Zoom Video in the news lately for a variety of reasons. At WCU, we take your security and privacy seriously, and we assure you that our IT leadership, IT security, and Zoom teams are monitoring our Zoom environment. Zoom has experienced tremendous...
Receiving and Sending Fax Documents from Off-campus
Receive a Fax If you or your department regularly receive faxes, you may want to have your fax number set up so that future faxes can be automatically received, either in a departmental email or a share drive (Secure or Mercury Share). You can request this...
Accessing Vault (Student Cloud Storage) from Off-campus
Students have two options for accessing Vault storage from off-campus: Option 1: Login to VCAT and access as you normally would from any classroom on-campus Option 2: Navigate to https://vault.wcu.edu and enter your WCUid (everything before the @ symbol) and...
Accessing Resources from Off-campus using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
The sudden change to online education and telework for faculty, staff, and students comes with the need to use MFA more often than usual for most of us. If you have had issues using text messaging with MFA, or if you would simply prefer an easier alternative, you may...
Closing the Door on “Zoom Crashers”
As more people use Zoom for video conferencing, online meetings, and mobile collaboration for course delivery and working from home, we wanted to offer up tips to ensure everyone joining an event does so with good intentions. Like most other public forums, it’s...
General Questions
Cleaning your PawPrint Ricoh Printer
With concerns over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces is imperative. Please adhere to these best practices for cleaning PawPrint printer screens and operation panels. For more information on cleaning and disinfecting, consult...
Fall 2020 Instructional Plan
Inspired by those we serve Western Carolina University provides our students with a high quality education and preparationfor responsible citizenship in a changing world. Our core values embrace excellent teaching,scholarship, and service; collaboration with and...
Did you take your WCU computer home?
We realize during this time that many of us are using our WCU computers from home, as we work remotely. While this is great for productivity, we want to ensure assets are updated with their correct locations. If you have taken your WCU Computer home or to another...
Coronavirus Cyber-Scams on the Rise
Cybercriminals are continuing to find ways to lure people into their scams, building on fear and emotion about the current pandemic. We anticipate this will continue to increase as the stimulus checks from the government move forward. You may see promotions for...
Technology Commons Support by Appointment
Effective March 25 until further notice, access to Technology Commons services will be by appointment only. Our hours will be 8am-5pm, M-F and closed on weekends. The Technology Commons doors will be locked, but we will still be providing students, faculty and staff...
Disinfectant Guidance for Electronic Devices
You’re already washing your hands, using hand sanitizer when necessary, practicing social distancing, and not touching your face, but you may also want to take the time to disinfect those phones, tablets, keyboards, mice, and laptops that you handle every day. Viruses...
Off-campus Phone Planning
In preparing for a potential coronavirus response, many departments have inquired about making and receiving calls if staff are not able to occupy their normal office spaces. The WCU phone system offers the following six features for handling phone calls in remote...
Working Safely Away from Campus
During crisis situations, cybercriminals use social engineering techniques to exploit their target: you. They rely on the user's emotions, trustworthiness, and willingness to help, and use it against them. Please follow these basic security protocols. Be aware of...