FAST FIVE for the week of November 3, 2013

News:

eCampus Alberta Grows:

The University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge have joined eCampusAlberta, bringing the consortium’s total number of  post-secondary system member institutions to 19. Online courses from each these institutions will be added to the eCampusAlberta inventory in the near future. eCampusAlberta connects students to more than 900 online courses and 70 programs, and in 2012/13 served more than 11,000 learners for 20,851 course registrations.  New eCampus Alberta members

New CIO:

Athabasca University appointed Mike Battistel as Vice-President of Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the University. Previously, Mike was the VP IS at SMART Technologies, CIO at Ritchie Bros Auctioneers and Versacold Group, and headed the IT departments at Ballard Power Systems, Motorola Canada, and the Open Learning Agency. He has been a national board member with the CIO Association of Canada, and served as president of two of its chapters. Athabasca CIO

Technology Week:

The University of Saskatchewan is holding its annual Technology Week this week. This year the annual showcase of innovation and cyber culture features a keynote address by Ken Steele. Technology Week provides instructors, researchers, staff, and students the opportunity to examine current issues and future trends in information and communications technology. It is a wonderful opportunity for IT stakeholders and consumers to give input into how technology is applied and supported at the University. Tech Week at U of S 

More Space:

Carleton University is increasing the email storage for its students again. Microsoft is upgrading Carleton student email inboxes from 25GB to 50GB. They had recently upgraded student email from 10Gb to 25Gb in June. The web interface is also being updated to be consistent with other Microsoft services. No significant service interruption is expected and the cutover will happen mid-November. Growing storage at Carleton

Mobile student assistants:

Wilfrid Laurier University introduced new mobile assistants to help Library users. This pilot program provides a mobile team of student Library assistants with Android tablets. These roving assistants help users with tasks such as using the self-checkout machines and finding reserve and hold items. They will also monitor noise levels in the Library. According to Scott James, the Library’s desk services manager, “This program means that our student assistants can help you wherever you happen to be in the Library.” Mobility in the Library

Question:

During this period of financial austerity throughout the higher education system, do you see IT taking a renewed interest in production support processes? Without the money to do new projects, do you feel IT has a unique opportunity to concentrate on providing the best operational service possible?

Please forward any comments to mprroman@gmail.com and responses will be published next week.