Viruses

Many of you are still being bothered by the klez virus. Your e-mail will show that “so and so” sent you a virus. However, it was NOT really from that person. Klez changes the “from:” field in the e-mail header. You may even get a reply from the virus services on the mail server saying you sent someone a virus, but it really wasn’t you. So don't yell at the e-mail's listed sender! It wasn't really from that person!

We have updated the Virus scanner, so you may now be receiving more e-mails back indicating there was a problem with your e-mail. Last month, we asked that you scan your home computers---please continue to do so as this virus is still spreading. We will be disabling user's accounts when we find the virus generated from their computers.

Security

Staff members: When's the last time you changed this? Have you ever changed it? Your PIN is an important part of accessing University databases, and as such, must be treated as a password. Please take a moment now to change to a six-digit number that's not easy for someone to guess. Additionally, your e-mail password should be changed at least once each semester.

Despite the public nature of a University, much of the information on site isnot public information. Social security numbers, grades, medical records and individual research are some examples of private or confidential information. It is therefore necessary and the responsibility of each individual at the University to help maintain the privacy of University information and records. Much of this information is often stored and displayed on desktop equipment that may be publicly accessible. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each user to control access to the information. Some of the measures that can be used to increase security are:

• Use passwords to further protect confidential spreadsheets or documents.
• Position your monitor away from public view. If that's not an option due to space constraints, check with us about purchasing a screen that overlays the monitor, and allows people to view it head-on only.
• Always log off when leaving for the day.
• Use password-protected screen savers. You can modify the time limits so they don't come on so frequently while you're working.
• Log off or start your screen saver when leaving your desk. This is just a very quick ctrl-alt-delete on a PC. Macintosh users: with OS 10, you may activate your screen saver with the Apple, System Preferences, Screen Saver. If you select your Hot Corners option, you can quickly activate your Screen Saver when leaving.

SHSU Menu

To help increase security, we are modifying the login for the SHSU Menu system. As of June 3, 2002, the GUI menu will require your username and Storm password (the one you use for logging on your PCand/or checking your e-mail).

Technology Training

On-campus one-on-one and class sessions are posted on the training calendar for June. Enroll in a course or suggest other ideas for classes that you would like offered. You may also use our Training-By-Appointment form to schedule a training session at a time convenient for your schedule.

Technology training is not the only training available for your department members. If you are serious about enhancing your work skills, you may take classes such as Business Math, Sexual Harassment, Grammar, Time Management, and Customer Service Skills. Check with Christy Cross to be added to MindLeaders. The fee for this subscription service will be funded from the Computer Services budget for faculty/staff that are committed to following through with the training system.

Blackboard

Imagine a student registering for a course and immediately being placed in the roster on Blackboard. Picture a student walking through campus reviewing class notes he downloaded to his Palm Pilot from Blackboard. Envision an assessment system with enhanced security; no Internet browsing for answers during exams. Plans are now underway to upgrade Blackboard from Level One to the Blackboard Enterprise Course Management System. This will allow us to integrate the e-learning platform with the administrative systems here. Additionally, it will greatly expand the academic possibilities with Blackboard through the Building Blocks program.

Institutional Research

The Office of Institutional Research recently released a report, commissioned by a Closing the Gaps workgroup, concerning students who transferred from community colleges to Sam Houston. The report answers questions on gpa, degrees awarded and various enrollment statistics. The report, along with other recent IR reports, can be found in the publications section of the IR Website.

Telephone Services

Did you know that you could check your voice mail from any phone? If you are checking your voice mail from another phone on campus, simply dial the number as you would from your phone (44375) and then press the asterisk. (44375*) Do not go off-campus, and then back on, by dialing 9-294-4375. This just adds traffic to our switch, and slows you down too! Be sure to tell the new employees in your office about this feature. Also, make sure they know they can dial residence life extensions by dialing just the five-digit 6xxxx, and the main campus office extensions with just the five-digit 4xxxx.

If you're going to be out of the office for a few hours or longer, forward your phone directly to voice mail. This way the caller won't have to wait for the four rings. You can do this by pressing the Forward button, press 44375, then press Forward. When you come back in your office, just press the Forward button again, and it will revert to ringing at your desk.

Has your voice mailbox been maxing out with messages? . Please make it a priority to check your mailbox before it reaches the limit and starts rejecting callers. We can increase the size of your box---to a total of 60 minutes. Contact Betty Brewer at 43777 if you have questions.

Mail Services

Many of you have expressed frustration that you don't know how much your postage is going to be. We are now placing a copy of the daily charges in an Excel spreadsheet on the T: drive, in the Common Area, under the PST folder. You can look up your accounts and see each day how much you were charged. If you notice a problem, give the Mail Services Manager, Carl Hicks, a call at 43001, or send him e-mail.

Are you planning on doing a mail-out? If you're sending 200 or more identical letters, you can cut the price in half by doing it as a bulk mailing. If you're unfamiliar with how to do a bulk mailing, give Carl a call and he'll be glad to help get you started. You can get the bags, the rubber bands, and stickers from the Mail Services Center. If you'd like, someone will come over with the cart to pick up your bulk mailing---so you don't to make that trek with the heavy stuff! One more thing: if you're planning a very large mail-out, give us some leadtime so we can ensure we have enough funds on deposit with the downtown Post Office. For instance, if you know you may be spending several thousand dollars, give us a heads-up so we will have time to get the check deposit issued to them.