CIO Update
A Message from Dave Swartz
AU chief information officer Dave Swartz would like to invite you to review our spring 2012 newsletter. Learn about our exciting recent accomplishments and upcoming initiatives.
Spring 2012
Read the latest news and updates regarding AU's information technology services.
Our Featured Stories
Attacking Viruses - No One Is Immune
Do you believe that your Mac is immune to viruses? Not anymore, as a particularly bad computer virus has been discovered that targets Mac-based computers. The virus, called Flashback or Flashfake, takes advantage of out of date software on the computer. Learn what steps you can take to help protect your computer from this virus and others.
>> Learn How to Protect Your Computer
Making AU's Mobile Strategy a Reality
With the rapid growth in utilization of mobile devices by students, faculty, and staff, American University took action to face the challenge of providing remote connectivity between these groups and the critical information found on university systems and in the cloud. Learn about the recommendations of the cross-functional working group creating AU's mobile strategy and find out about the new AU mobile site, which will be unveiled for a soft launch by the end of the semester.
>> Learn about AU's Mobile Strategy
Overwhelming Success of Technology Support Desk
Have you needed technology support on campus and just wanted someone to fix it, at a time that was convenient for you? Learn about the success of the Technology Support Desk after we relocated from the Anderson Computing Complex to the Bender Library. Come visit us for first-come, first-served service weekdays between 10 AM and 6 PM.
>> Learn about the Success of the Technology Support Desk
Simplifying Student Billing & Payment
Are the current online billing screens sometimes confusing to decipher? A comprehensive program has been planned to contemporize many of the processes in Student Accounts. Learn about the new eCommerce solution that will be introduced over Memorial Day weekend.
>> Learn about the new Online Bill Payment and Management Solution
Introducing Our Award Winning Staff
The Office of Information Technology recognizes the exceptional efforts and accomplishments, both collaborative and individual, of our staff through our annual internal awards program. Read about the individuals recognized in December for their contributions to our OIT team and the larger AU community.
>> Learn about the Award Winners
Building Community for AU Alumni
In January, the Office of Development & Alumni Relations and the Office of Information Technology partnered to introduce a new Online Community System. Learn about the cool features of this system that enable Alums to keep in touch with AU and with one another, make a gift, or register for an Alumni event.
>> Learn about the Online Community System
Recognized for Outstanding Communications by National Professional Organization
The Office of Information Technology is proud to announce that American University won three separate "Best of Category" communications awards, at the Association for Computing Machinery's Special Interest Group on University and College Computing Services (SIGUCCS) conference in November of 2011.
>> Learn about the Communications Awards
ULearn Encourages Staff Professional Development
Have you logged into the new ULearn system yet? The link is on the myAU portal under the Work@AU links. ULearn is all about what you KNEW, KNOW, and will KNOW. Learn about how this training registration and tracking system will encourage you to take advantage of professional development opportunities offered across campus.
>> Learn about the ULearn System
Awarded by the University Honors Program
Office of Information Technology staff were thrilled to have been the recipients of two separate Staff Awards at the Seventh Annual University Honors Program Award Ceremony in February. Learn about the individual contributions that earned this recognition.
>> Learn about the Honors Awards
Transitioning to a New Datatel User Interface
Are you one of the more than 800 faculty and staff that utilize the Datatel Colleague system at AU? If so, you should be using the new Web UI 4.3 to access Colleague. The new system streamlines the user experience, improves performance, and introduces new helpful features to enhance productivity.
>> Learn about the Benefits of Web UI 4.3
Concluding the Faculty Gmail Pilot
Are you a faculty member that wants the ease of using Gmail, yet wants an official AU e-mail address? Twenty faculty members have been participating in a pilot project to extend Google Applications, including Gmail, to interested faculty to enable collaboration with students and other colleagues. Learn more about next steps as the pilot comes to a conclusion.
>> Learn about the Faculty Gmail Pilot
Piloting Document Imaging Solution
Do you deal with a large volume of paper or electronic documents? If so, you may be interested in learning about the pilots that are under way to implement Perceptive Software's ImageNow product. Learn about the pilot tests and key features that merited a unanimous decision to recommend this solution.
>> Learn about the Document Imaging Solution
Implementing Phase Two of the myAU Portal
Are you aware of the efforts to personalize your myAU portal user experience? Phase two of the portal implementation involves targeting campus announcements to each constituency, and making SharePoint collaborative Team Sites available. Learn more about the new Today@AU application, and how you can request a Team Site in the future.
>> Learn more about Portal Phase Two