Colorado College’s ITS: Help Desk accomplished a variety of things during the first semester toward their goal of making technology on campus more accessible to the CC community.
These accomplishments include:
- the implementation of the new Single Sign-in System, which consolidated access to email, Banner, and Canvas.
- the replacement of the sound system in Bemis with advanced, digitally controlled equipment.
- the installment of the PaperCut printing system.
- the creation of the new CC Mobile App, which features the campus map, relevant news and events, and information about on-campus dining options.
- the implementation of a new cell phone program for Facilities.
- the improvement of dotCMS, the web editing software used to fix enduring problems.
- the enhancement of Phone Switch, which helps stability, boost simultaneous call ability, and permits advanced diagnostics.
- the creation of a new system for requesting AV assistance at events.
- helping all students with the new password standards that were implemented at the beginning of the year.
Chad Schonewill, who is the Help Desk Team Lead, says, “PaperCut was the most difficult update because it was the most controversial. We saw a lot of problems after implementing it. However, most of the problems were not with the system, but with how it was configured on a certain computer or a person who doesn’t understand the system.”
Schonewill said that tech updates will continue this semester.
The campus can expect a widespread network upgrade that will improve signal strength and speed of the current campus Wi-Fi, tigernet2. These will be gradual upgrades, implemented building by building.
The first planned building to be upgraded is Loomis Hall, followed by Mathias and Slocum halls. The major academic buildings will be upgraded after the residential buildings.
By the end of this upgrade, the network will be brand new.
The current equipment, which is currently eight years old, will be fully replaced. The current network was created before the first iPad was released and, consequently, was designed for a different capacity. This new network will be friendlier to Apple products and the increased demand of a larger, more dependent campus.
During Block 6, the Help Desk plans to hold a competition to name the new network.
The student body will be able to vote and pick the new name. The only rule: the new name cannot be any variation of tigernet. The winner will receive an unspecified gadget or a tablet, as well as the opportunity to name the next building that is upgraded on campus.
Schonewill says that the student body should know that there is going to be another password reset in March. According to Schonewill, Mac users might encounter some issues connecting to tigernet2 and PaperCut after resetting the password.
“If you encounter those issues there are instructions on the website, and we are also happy to help anyone at the Help Desk,” Schonewill commented.
The Help Desk receives feedback in numerous ways, such as through visits to the Help Desk, the online suggestion box, email, and the ITS Partners.
The ITS Partners consist of members of the community who represent the students, faculty, and staff. The group meets every other block and informs the Help Desk what the community sentiments are.
Schonewill says, “We welcome feedback and suggestions! Please be specific. We want to know the issues people are having, so we can fix them.”
Schonewill closed by addressing the common question about the existence of a tigernet before tigernet2. “Tigernet2 is the first wireless network at Colorado College. Tigernet was the first network. However, not a lot of people knew its name.”