Office of Information Technology:

493 Fitch Street - TE-7
New Haven, CT
(203) 392-5019

For comments on this newsletter:

oitnews@southernct.edu

Faculty Technology Walk-In Center:

Suggestion Form
   (printable .pdf)

Hours and Location:

   Buley 316
   (203) 392-5061

   M-TH: 8:30am - 7pm
   F: 8:30am - 4pm
   S: 8:30am - 12pm

Help Desk Hours:

   M-TH: 8am - 8pm
   F: 8am - 4pm
   (203) 392-5123

Contributors:

W. Alvin Chai
Joe Brignola
Shermaine Cooke-Edmonds
Bob Cuddihee
Todd Jokl
Ray Kellogg
Stan Walonoski
John Young
Kevin Zibluk

Editor:

Jeff Crakes
The Office of Information Technology
Newsletter - Fall 2007
(October 2007)
 
General Trends in Computing :
   
Web 2.0: Definition and Clarification
  “Web 2.0” is a term used to describe the next generation in the evolution of the web. Web growth and development are evolutionary processes; as such, phases and shifts are difficult to specifically define and demarcate. However, key characteristics can be isolated. “Web 2.0” sites and applications emphasize collaboration and sharing, user participation and dynamic content generation, and collective intelligence. Technologies such as blogs, social bookmarking, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds, social software (i.e. Facebook, Second Life) and online Web services (i.e. Google Docs) embody Web 2.0 to many who follow internet trends.
The Continuing Possibilities of Social Computing
  SCSU remains deeply interested in the possibilities of social computing to continue to transform the higher education experience for students. “Social computing” refers generally to the increasing use of the internet and software applications for communication and social interaction. In OIT we are dedicated to exploring the ways in which SCSU can fulfill its mission by leveraging the ubiquity of technology and the ever increasing reach of the internet.
 
A Message from the Office of Information Technology


The Fall 2007 OIT Newsletter includes articles on social computing and "web 2.0" as well as discussions of completed and potential projects at Southern. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any comments, questions or suggestions.

NOTE: The latest draft of IT's strategic goals can be accessed at the following link:

IT GOALS & INITIATIVES FOR FY 07-08 AND BEYOND

SCSU IT Committees:

The IT Needs Assessment recommended the formation of three IT committees: University Information Stewards, University Applications, and University Technology Services (committee charters and action items). These committees have been established at the President's request with membership appointed by the Cabinet; OIT would like to thank the committee members for their service (list of committee membership). These committees will provide valuable direction to IT on campus as the university moves forward in pursuit of our strategic goals and overall mission.

Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs:

University Information Stewards: Dr. Richard Riccardi, Dr. John DaPonte
University Applications: Lise Brule, Dr. Maria Diamantis
University Technology Services: Ray Kellogg, Mark Waters

Migrating to a Microsoft Exchange Email Server:

Under the leadership of the CSU chancellor SCSU and its sister universities are migrating faculty and staff email from iPlanet to a Microsoft Exchange server. This allows us to minimize costs and maximize benefits by leveraging an economy of scale; the transition will occur without gaps in service.

Comments on this newsletter: oitnews@southernct.edu
   
Projects and Initiatives at Southern :
   
University Technology Services - Fall 2007 Update
  A Message to Faculty from the Office of Information Technology ("With the Fall 2007 semester underway the following projects were completed before the start of the semester...")
The Shifting of Student Email Services
  As technology evolves and the internet expands, new opportunities emerge for cost savings and reduced administrative burdens, both of which free up resources for other projects and activities. SCSU tends to err on the side of caution in these instances, not wanting to purchase or deploy a technology or service that lacks a clear and demonstrated record of success. The choices of peer institutions and the outcomes of these choices provide strong guideposts in our decision-making - we take great interest in CCSU's recent contract shifting student email to Microsoft through a free service called Windows Live@edu.
Optical Switch Supported Networks and SCSU
  The Connecticut State University System continues to build and expand its WAN, providing greater bandwidth and facilitating improved communication, collaboration and efficiency. The recent purchase of next-generation optical switches from Cisco will increase data transfer speeds dramatically, to a maximum rate of 40 Gigabits per second. This expanded capability provides countless opportunities for CSU and SCSU connectivity and innovation.
 
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