IS.Communication - Spring 2007

Subtexts and Supporting Casts: another learning community

At first glance, this issue of the IS.Com newsletter might appear to be just a listing of departmental updates and activities since the publication of the previous newsletter. Yes, it is true that these projects indicate to some extent the innovation and service improvements that continually take place in the Information Services Division. The activities described herein range from the practical (e.g. Workflow Implementation; Events Management; and the Media Center's Classroom expansion) to the creative (e.g. iTunes U; and Video gaming), to the educational (e.g. CNS Training Room; and Social Networking at the Library). However, if you read between the lines you will quickly realize that the theme of the subtext is continual collaboration among faculty, staff, and students to improve the learning environment here at Fairfield.

James Estrada
Vice President for Information Services &
University Librarian

ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTING

"Student Withdrawal" workflow project implemented    Details
Administrative Computing has successfully completed the implementation of the "Student Withdrawal" Workflow. This project went live before leaving for Winter break.

Classroom scheduling & events management implementation    Details
Phase II of the CollegeNet R25 implementation project encompasses the recording of reservations, the management and updating of campus events, and the display of this information via a public electronic web-based calendar.

School of Engineering pilots graduate admissions online applications
The School of Engineering has agreed to pilot on-line graduate applications. This exciting project allows graduate students applying to the School of Engineering to electronically apply to the University. The project is expected to go live this Spring. It is anticipated that other graduate programs also will be able to use this new process.

Annual work plan 2007-208    Details
Administrative Computing is working with the members of the Banner Steering Committee to develop the "annual work plan" for 2007- 2008.

Daylight Savings Time    Details
The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 changed the start and end dates of Daylight Saving Time (DST) beginning this year.

COMPUTING & NETWORK SERVICES

C&NS training room: Mac OS X or Windows XP?    Details
The Computing & Network Services Training Room in Dolan Commons recently got a hardware facelift, but what you see is not necessarily what you get.

Following the Stags wherever you are    Details
The IS Division is wrapping up a busy sports season - one that saw the successful launch of live video streaming of both Men's and Women's home games on the Internet.

iTunes U @ Fairfield keeps growing    Details
Last fall, Fairfield entered the brave new world of podcasting in an official way, accepting Apple Computer's invitation to become part of their iTunes U program.

MEDIA CENTER

New classroom added in Media Center    Details
A new, 25 x 25-foot multimedia classroom that includes a 9x12-foot wall-mounted viewing screen, multi-format projector and media console has been added in the Media Center for the New Media Film, Television and Radio program.

Television production projects reach national audiences    Details
The breadth and reach for the Media Center's television programming has taken a major leap this year with the use of the mobile Television Production and Satellite Uplink Truck.

Bridgeport Symphony; Haiti fundraiser enhanced with graphics    Details
Two DVD's were created by the Media Center for Jazz It Up for Haiti, a fundraising event held March 17 at the Barone Campus Center for Project Pierre Toussaint, a school for street children in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Web work for "Red to Green" and University College
Some web-related projects currently be worked on by the Media Center are a web site for the "Red to Green" environmental initiative on campus and a Flash opening for University College's Bachelor Degree Completion Program.

Media classrooms continue to be upgraded    Details
After upgrading every classroom in the School of Nursing with media and computer capability, the Media Center moved on to complete the upgrade of BNW 254. This summer there are plans for converting two more classrooms to multi-media rooms.

The CAGE: new media equipment pickup/return area
A newly constructed area has been established where students can pick up and return reserved media equipment for the new Media program. The area is more secure, yet more easily accessed than the previously designated area which was located within the AMES offices.

DIMENNA-NYSELIUS LIBRARY

Social networking at the Library?    Details
In January, the Library offered another of their popular winter break sessions for faculty. The focus this time was on Web 2.0 and social networking software.

Add the Library to your Buddy List    Details
The Library has added instant messaging to its services so students, faculty, and staff using AIM, Yahoo, or MSN instant messenger can contact a reference librarian any time the reference desk is staffed.

New Library research prize    Details
The DiMenna-Nyselius Library is offering, for the first time, a $200 prize for exemplary undergraduate research projects from courses taught in departments across the campus.

Growing collections - e-books    Details
The library collection of electronic books continues to grow, as the Library commits itself to providing access to information from both on and off campus.

Meet the databases at iTunesU    Details
Librarians Leslie Porter and Ramona Islam created the concept for podcast "interviews" with library databases called "Meet the Databases" and for a library radio program called "Library Lowdown."

New collections - popular reading    Details
Browse the Library's Popular Collection located just beyond the Circulation Desk and adjacent to the New Acquisitions Collection.

Madden '07 tournament held    Details
On Saturday February 3, 2007, the Class of 2010 hosted a "Madden 07" tournament, a popular football video game.