Welcome back! Summer is coming to a close and the SPU community is preparing for a return to campus. Just as it took time to shift to working remotely, it may take some time to get setup back in your campus office. Whether you are instructing in-person classes, 100% online, or a hybrid of both this will be an academic year unlike any other. Read on for some news, some advice on returning, and to learn what's new in the world of campus technology services and resources.

The CIS HelpDesk

Need help with Banner or logging in to Canvas? Computer running slowly or might have a virus? We're here to help!

In-Person Support (By Appointment Only)

Unfortunately COVID-19 restrictions necessitate closing the CIS Helpdesk to unscheduled in-person support. Please submit a ticket or call the CIS Helpdesk to request an in-person appointment.

CIS Helpdesk Contact

Submit a CIS Helpdesk Ticket
Email the CIS Helpdesk
Call the CIS Helpdesk: 206-281-2982

Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Lower Marston Hall

What's New!

New Outdoor WiFi Locations!

Outdoor WiFi locations have been added in Tiffany Loop, Martin Square, and in front of the C-Store.

Hybrid Meetings

Many areas of campus are embracing new flexible schedules, necessitating hybrid meetings where some attendees are meeting in person and some are attending remotely. If you have questions about how to do this well see the Hybrid Meetings & Technology blog post for advice and how to reach out for a consultation with CIS.

Office Hours and Online Appointments with Microsoft Bookings

Microsoft Bookings is an online booking solution that allows people to book appointments with individuals or offices at SPU and syncs directly with your Outlook Calendar. /wiki/spaces/SWDOC/pages/36590500 is preferred to Calendly as it is FERPA compliant and does not require exposing private calendar and contact information to a 3rd party. View the recorded training from CIS or find more information on getting started in the Technology Service Catalog .

SPU Login Changes

A reminder that CIS is migrating all SPU systems to authenticate using Azure Single-Sign-On (SSO). Systems that have migrated will begin using the same login page that you've used to log into SPU Webmail. See the SPU Login Changes blog post for details.

Minecraft for Education

Minecraft for Education is included in Microsoft 365 for Education. Click Here for more information.

Campus Phones

Where'd my desk phone go? In case you missed it, the campus has replaced its legacy phone system with Microsoft Teams Calling. Calls can now be made with your University phone number via the Teams app on your smartphone or computer.

Returning to Campus

Update your Computer
If your computer has not been on the campus network or VPN recently it will likely need to run several hours of updates and security patches. Avoid this disruption by connecting to a campus VPN prior to returning or plan your schedule around updates running when you return.

Office Equipment
Gather any office equipment that you took home. Possible items may include your computer, monitor(s), docking station, cables, keyboard, mouse, printer, headset, webcam, office chair, etc. Carefully package your equipment when transporting to avoid damage.

Protecting Student Privacy

We all value our privacy and are frustrated when companies are careless with the sensitive information we entrust them with. As a member of the Seattle Pacific University community, you share in the responsibility to protect our students by complying with regulations and University policies. The Regulated Data Chart provides a simple overview of which places have the security and contractual protections to store certain types of sensitive Regulated Data. You can also learn more about campus Data Policy, Data Laws and Regulations, and Handling Confidential Data responsibly.

Using a Personal Computer for Work

Personal computers and departmentally-purchased computers (unmanaged) do not have the same security and regulatory compliance protections that SPU-managed computers purchased and managed by CIS have. Personal devices or cloud resources (like Google Docs) used for work purposes are subject to eDiscovery and can be confiscated or seized if they are suspected to contain information related to a lawsuit against the institution. Protect yourself, your property, and the University by following the Use of Personal / Un-Managed Devices for Work policy.

Use OneDrive for Cloud File Storage

Storage platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive are not compliant for sensitive or regulated University data, such as information protect by FERPA. OneDrive for Business is the contractually protected platform approved for storing sensitive documents in the cloud.

CIS Staffing Shortage

The CIS Technology Support Services team is entering fall with 50% of its positions vacant. More than 20% of positions are vacant across the department. The dedicated folks in CIS thank you in advance for your patience as we churn through your support requests at a slower pace than we would like. If you know someone who would be a good addition to the CIS team, the department is offering a $1000 referral bonus for hires that retain for at least 6 months.

Classrooms and Technology

SPU Classroom Technology Training

CIS has published various technology training videos over the past year including one co-hosted with ETM on Classroom Technology. You can find this and other recordings here .

Subjects covered specifically in the SPU Classroom Technology video are:

00:00-25:45 - review of existing technology in classrooms (computer podium, projector controls, document camera), troubleshooting potential technology issues
25:45-38:00 - recording lessons in an on-campus classroom (Panopto), hardware needed to record, recording challenges in the classroom

You are welcome to live stream from the classroom, however live streaming in classrooms is currently not supported by CIS or ETM.

Check Your Classroom Technology!

Lots of things change over the summer. Many classrooms have been upgraded to high-definition digital projectors. We encourage all faculty to test the technology resources they will use for classes this quarter prior to the first day of instruction.

In-Person Classes

Stop by your classroom, log in to the podium computer (or try plugging in your laptop if you plan to use it for your lessons), check for access to your OneDrive for Business, do a quick run-through of your presentation, and test any specialized software. If you spot any problems, please contact the CIS Help Desk at 206-281-2982 or www.spu.edu/cishelpdesk .

If you need a refresher on how to operate the podium PCs or other presenting technologies in classrooms, please first refer to the recorded lesson on SPU Classroom Technology . To schedule a one-on-one training with a technician, please contact the CIS HelpDesk at 206-281-2982 or www.spu.edu/cishelpdesk.

If you might need to record or stream your in-person class to support a student not able to be in the room, please test your webcam and microphone with the computer in the classroom (or be prepared to bring your laptop). If you have any questions about recording with Zoom or Panopto, sharing the recording with your class, or need a webcam and microphone please contact Educational Technology and Media at etmhelp@spu.edu for advice as soon as possible.

Please do not unplug, power off equipment, or move computer podium cables. Before leaving your classroom please return the podium equipment exactly how you found it.

Online Classes

If you will teach online, please ensure you have a Canvas course set up. If you are teaching synchronously, please also familiarize yourself with setting up a Zoom class. Start here for information about features available on Zoom and how to get signed up. CIS recommends that all faculty request a Zoom Pro account. This will allow you to host a class over Zoom of unlimited duration and with up to 300 participants.

Support Student Success with Canvas

Help our students succeed by putting all the information they need to mange their academic experience in one place. SPU strongly recommends using Canvas for assignment submission and grading feedback for all courses. You are also encouraged to continue to use any aspects of the Canvas Remote Teaching Template that you find helpful to complement your teaching. If you need help, reach out to Educational Technology and Media at etmhelp@spu.edu for advice.

Emergency Classroom Support

Even with good preparation it is always possible that some technology will not function as expected in the classroom. It is CIS's priority to assist you in these cases.

If you run into technology problems in your classroom, call the CIS HelpDesk at 206-281-2982. We will do everything we can to provide assistance on the phone or immediately dispatch a technician to your room.

Our goal is to correct technology issues before they turn into a classroom crisis. If you experience any trouble at all during a class period but can't wait for support, please be sure and let us know about it later.

Software in Classrooms and Academic Labs

All classroom and lab computers have a broad range of software installed and configured, but please let the CIS HelpDesk know if anything is missing. Additionally, if there are any new software needs, please inform the CIS HelpDesk as soon as possible. There is often a review and testing process required for new software.

For more information on how to request new software for academic computers or how to request an update to existing software, see here .

Need a Webcam or Mic?

If you need a webcam or microphone for teaching please contact Educational Technology and Media at etmhelp@spu.edu or at 206-281-2170.

Peer-to-Peer File Sharing and Copyright Compliance

File sharing software that copies and distributes songs, movies, videos, games, and software applications without the permission of the owner is a Copyright Law violation that can subject you to criminal and civil liability. Content owners use technological means to track the file sharing of their intellectual property on the Internet. SPU is required by law to inform you if we are aware you have violated copyright law and must provide your information to copyright owners for legal action if you do not cease illegal activity. You are responsible for the activities of your computer when connected to the campus network. See here for more information about copyright compliance.

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