IT security awareness survey under way
(Jan. 30, 2009) During the past week, you might have received an e-mail request to participate in a survey about information technology security from the CU-System Internal Audit Department. Audit is conducting this survey to evaluate information technology (IT) security awareness across the university campuses as part of an ongoing audit. The randomly selected participants received an e-mail with a link to their Web-based survey on Surveymonkey.
You are encouraged to take approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey by Friday, Feb. 6. Your responses will remain anonymous. If you have questions, feel free to contact angela.wishon@ucdenver.edu or Internal Audit at 303-837-2200.
Montview Boulevard is open
(Jan. 21, 2009) The construction and demolition work that facilitated the development of the FRA property north of Montview Boul evard is now complete. The road is completely open between Peoria Street and the Fitzsimons Parkway. Questions regarding this work can be directed to Mike Vigil at 303-724-1141 or e-mail at mike.vigil@ucdenver.edu.
Alert regarding databases that use student information
(Jan. 26, 2009) Implementation of the new Student Information System (SIS) will bring about fundamental changes in the interaction between databases residing outside the current SIS and the new system, Campus Solutions (CS). Your database(s) will be significantly impacted by this implementation and may stop working if you do not take action.
IT Services needs to identify all databases that exist outside of the current SIS so the CS project team can plan how to transition and exchange data with CS in the future. Remember, CS will become the new source of student information records for the entire CU System. Any database that currently feeds to or pulls data from SIS, including student data in Access databases or Excel spreadsheets maintained on your computers, are at risk of not receiving updated data once CS is implemented.
In order to develop interface plans to ensure business continuity and integrity for your database once CS goes live, the implementation team must know about your database no later than Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. Please send the following information to: Vaughn.Larsen@ucdenver.edu
1) Name and contact information of the system administrator for each system
2) How the database is populated - specify:
external entity (e.g. AMCAS, PharmCAS)
file from campus resources (e.g. Institutional Research, Office of the Registrar Systems and Information)
data warehouse
files through Dilbert
manual databases (Access, Excel, etc.)
other (describe)
3) Your name and contact information
4) Other comments:
Your prompt attention to this matter will support continuous business processes in your school, college or department.
HR clarification on SkillPort and Blackboard
(Dec. 22, 2008) SkillPort will replace Blackboard as the employee online learning management tool that provides CU specific custom content to meet the needs of required and recommended online training provided by the university. Easy access to this new online system is provided directly through the myCU Portal. As of January 2009, employees simply go to their training page in the myCU Portal to access SkillSoft.
The student learning system and communities will remain intact on Blackboard. Faculty and students will continue to access their Blackboard courses through CU Online at http://blackboard.cuonline.edu.
If you have questions, contact the Human Resources office at 303-315-2700.
New VPN process rolls out Jan. 1, register by Feb. 1
(Dec. 17, 2008) On Jan. 1, UC Denver IT Services will roll out a new VPN process for Faculty, Staff and Students that have had their domain accounts migrated. In order to continue to use your VPN service, you will need to go to https://admin.cudenver.edu/vpn to reregister your account.
All that is required is a valid university or Ouray user account. You must read and accept the Appropriate Use Policy and Home Wireless Configuration Standards in order to be approved and processed for your new account. Once you have agreed to these policies, you will be forwarded to a page with a new, downloadable, Cisco VPN client with the new VPN configurations for access.
IT Services asks that everyone complete this prior to Feb. 1 as the current hardware is at end of life and will be retired due to non-support from our vendor. If you have not been migrated to the new University Domain, please continue to use the existing system. However if you have been migrated and have not registered with the new system your VPN will no longer function.
Employees can access training through SkillSoft, portal
(Dec. 11, 2008) On Dec. 22, all UC Denver employees will have access to SkillSoft, which offers a new, greatly expanded and enhanced array of online training for required training as well as professional development. Employee training currently on Blackboard will also be moving to a learning management system called SkillPort. Beginning Dec. 22, employees will be able to access the new system through the “my Training” section of the CU Portal.
It is very important that faculty and staff members complete any training they already started in Blackboard by December 21. If not, the courses must be taken again on SkillPort. Training is not complete until you finish the quiz.
Please also remember that Sexual Harassment Awareness training must be completed by all faculty and staff members by no later than Jan. 20.
Contact the Human Resources office at 303-315-2700 with any questions.
Aurora Court closing through Dec. 24
(Dec. 10, 2008) Beginning Thursday, Dec. 11, Aurora Court (formerly Ursula Street) will be closed from 17th Avenue to 17th Place on the west side of the circle, in front of Building 500, for installation of a storm sewer line. There will be two-way traffic on the east side of Aurora Court. Construction should be complete by Friday, Dec. 24.
The start of this construction requires relocation of the RTD bus stop for routes 15, 20 and DM, currently located south of Building 500. The stop will move, temporarily, to just south of the Barbara Davis Center, on 17th Avenue. A map showing the new location is at: http://www.ucdenver.edu/admin/facilities/parking/docs/AMC-RTD-newstops.pdf
Questions regarding this work may be directed to Mike Vigil at 303-724-1141 or e-mail at mike.vigil@ucdenver.edu. The latest traffic closures can be found at: http://www.uchsc.edu/projects/amc/amcsitelogistics.htm -- Roadway and Lane Closures.
Reminder: IT Services to stop supporting modem dial-in
(Nov. 28, 2008) As of Friday, Dec. 19, Information Technology (IT) Services will discontinue support of the remote access service (RAS) for UC Denver users. This change announced earlier affects faculty, staff and students at all UC Denver locations including the Anschutz Medical Campus, 9th Avenue and the Downtown Campus.
New UC Denver Web site open for testing
(Dec. 1, 2008) Because the Web is an essential communications tool for the University of Colorado Denver, Chancellor Wilson and the vice chancellors have charged University Web Services and Integrated University Communications with a redesign of our main home page. Staff, faculty and students are asked to “test drive” the first iteration of a UC Denver home page. Here’s where you can check it out: http://beta.ucdenver.edu
This home page will serve as the entry page to the new university Web site (http://www.ucdenver.edu). This test site links to some new content as well as content that resides on the existing sites at www.cudenver.edu and www.uchsc.edu. Over the coming two years, the remainder of the content will be updated, enhanced, redesigned and launched to integrate with the home page.
The site was developed with the university’s strategic plan in mind and will will evolve as we obtain feedback from users and as we develop new features. Our first goal for this entry page is to encourage students to apply to UC Denver. Or second goal is to encourage support for the university from donors, legislators and alums. Our third goal for the home page is to provide excellent service to our current faculty, students and staff by ensuring easy accessibility to the tools they most often use.
This beta site is not ‘live’ for sharing outside of the university; we will not launch this site until feedback has been received and vetted. (NOTE: please do not link to this site or distribute to the public until it is officially launched.) Remember, your feedback is essential, so click on the “Website Feedback Survey” link in the beta site navigation.
University transitions to new learning system for staff and faculty
(Nov. 23, 2008) The University of Colorado is replacing the Blackboard System for online staff and faculty training effective Dec. 22. Soon to follow will be training available through the new “SkillPort” learning system. This change will affect all university employees at all locations. Human Resources (HR) strongly encourages individuals to complete any in-progress training in Blackboard before Dec. 21 to avoid any potential delays that might occur with the start-up of the Skillsoft system. Questions should be directed to your department's HR represetative.Beginning Dec. 22, employees will be able to access the new system through the myCU portal.
IT Services to minimize threats to system
(Nov. 20, 2008) UC Denver’s Information Technology (IT) Services is undertaking a number of initiatives to ensure that our computing resources and data are protected against intrusion and theft. After evaluating our network traffic at the UCD primary locations, significant risks have been identified with peer-to-peer traffic due to the many vulnerabilities associated with the distributed nature of the protocol. Subsequently, IT Services is blocking these types of network packets at our firewall. Examples of applications that use peer-to-peer technology include but are not limited to Skype, Gnutella, Morpheus, Kazaa, UltraPeer, XoloX, Gnucleus, bearshare, Limewire, MyNpater, Shareaza, Mutella, QtraxMAx, Phex, Frostwire, Pando, Blubster, JXTA, Groove, Winny, InstaColl, WASTE, ANts, Bit Torrent, eMule, Soulseek and Pexit.
IT Services also reports extremely heavy use of Internet-based streaming music and video services and so will be evaluating the impact to the university in terms of costs for increased bandwidth consumption. Those services not found to be aligned with the UCD mission and Acceptable Computing Use Policy may also be blocked. University policy regarding IT service providers and security can be found at https://www.cusys.edu/policies/General/IT-Service-Provider-Security.pdf.
Montview closured through January 2009
(Nov. 7, 2008) Unforeseen conditions during the steam tunnel demolition on the Anschutz Medical Campus have caused a delay in the opening of Montview Boulevard between Quentin and Victor Streets. As a result, other utility work that was planned in Montview Boulevard will now begin in the same time frame as the completion of the demolition work. We now estimate that Montview Boulevard will remain closed through January 2009. Updates will be provided as the work progresses and firm dates are established.
This work is in support of the development of the Colorado Science+Technology Park at Fitzsimons north of Montview, specifically the construction of the new University Physicians Inc. building and new hotel.
Because 19th Avenue is serving as an alternate route, expect increased traffic. Remember to obey the 15 mile-per-hour speed limit and be mindful of the many pedestrian crossings along 19th Avenue. Pedestrians should use the established crosswalks. View a map and details about the closure. Questions regarding this work may be directed to Mike Vigil at 303-724-1141 or Mike.Vigil@UCDenver.edu.
Gov. Ritter OKs holiday administrative leave
(Oct. 30, 2008) In recognition of the hard work and dedication of state employees, Gov. Ritter asked the Executive Director of the Department of Personnel and Administration to authorize a day of administrative leave during the upcoming holidays.
Chancellor Wilson concurs with this decision and has authorized a day of additional leave for full-time, leave-eligible faculty and staff (permanent classified staff, officers, exempt professionals and 12-month faculty members). As with other leave, this time is prorated for eligible part-time faculty and staff members.
The University of Colorado Denver will be closed on Friday, Jan. 2, to provide the additional day of leave. This will create the added benefit of energy savings at the Anschutz Medical Campus, our Downtown Campus office buildings, other University facilities and the Auraria Higher Education Center which will also be closed that day.
For additional information concerning holiday leave, please review the holiday schedule on the Human Resources website. Questions concerning leave administration may be directed to Greg Rowe in Human Resources: greg.rowe@ucdenver.edu.
Police training at 9th Avenue Campus Nov. 4
(Nov. 3, 2008) The University of Colorado Denver Police Department will be hosting a training with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on Tuesday Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The training will be taking place in the Office Annex building. During the training, you will see numerous police and sheriff vehicles and personnel in the area. Do not be alarmed if you hear explosive type noises coming from inside the building. This is part of the training. Signage will be posted in the area during the training.
There is no danger to occupants of the campus. This is only a training exercise. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Chief Doug Abraham at 303-724-0230 or doug.abraham@ucdenver.edu.
Another chance to get flu shot, Nov. 6
(Oct. 31, 2008) There will be one additional flu shot clinic at Anschutz Medical Campus 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov 6, in Nighthorse Campbell Conference Room 204. Fifty flu shots will be available on a first come basis. This shot clinic is being provided by Kristin Lee, RN of KJL Enterprises. The fee this year will remain the same as last year at $22. Cash or checks made out to KJL HealthCare Management will be accepted (no credit cards). Receipts will be available. If you have any specific questions regarding flu shots, please contact Kristin directly at klee80111@comcast.net. If you have questions regarding the specific locations of these clinics, call 303-315-2717.
ITS implements improved system for encrypted e-mail
(Oct. 31, 2008) UC Denver Information Technology Services (ITS) will implement Protected Health Information (PHI), an updated, more reliable product for the transmission of encrypted e-mail containing sensitive data. This new e-mail encryption product (Ironport) has replaced our old system (Tumbleweed, aka Safemail). From the UCD message sender's perspective the new system works very similarly to the old system. The triggers for e-mail encryption with Ironport are the same as they were for Tumbleweed (more information is available at: http://administration.ucdenver.edu/admin/its/securemail.htm). The biggest difference with the move to Ironport is in the way that recipients (people outside the University) interact with the system when they receive an encrypted message.
Please direct any external users of this system to the online documentation. If you have any questions about this, please contact the UC Denver Help Desk at 303-724-4357.
Sexual harassment training required for all faculty, staff
(Oct. 20, 2008) At UC Denver, we all must work to ensure that employees have a safe, inclusive and motivating environment that’s free from sexual harassment. To that end, we will implement mandatory training for all employees including classified staff, exempt-professional staff and faculty. This training is intended to provide information and resources which will enable our faculty and staff to recognize behaviors and situations that constitute sexual harassment. As an employee of UC Denver, you are required to complete the training by Jan. 20, 2009. All new employees will be required to complete this training within 90 days of being hired.
Many of you may have already satisfied this requirement. If the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) lists you as having taken this course since July 2000, you have met the training requirement and do not need to take it again. Please review your training summary in the MY.CU portal at https://my.cu.edu under the “My.Training” tab or contact your department administrator to determine whether or not you have taken this course.
For those who still must take the course, you have two options. You may either take this course online or you may attend an onsite training provided by the Human Resources office. The online course “Preventing Sexual Harassment” can be found at http://blackboard.cuonline.edu. Please log in using your six-digit employee ID number. An ideal time to take the course may be the break between semesters.
Communication from Human Resources will be forthcoming announcing the dates and locations of six onsite training classes to be conducted at the Anschutz Medical Campus and Downtown Campus.
Construction begins at Ed 1
(Oct. 20, 2008) Work began Monday, Oct. 20, on the fifth floor of the Ed 1 Building at Anschutz Medical Campus. The work will consist of two phases.
• The first phase is the build-out of existing shell space in the north-west corner of Level 5 of the Ed 1 building for use as conference, classroom, and a simulation lab for the College of Nursing.
• The second phase is the renovation of 2 existing classrooms within the Gross Anatomy lab to accommodate a minimally invasive surgery training lab.
Facilities is working with Educational Support Services to minimize impacts on any scheduled activities on the fourth and fifth floors. This work should be complete by February 2009.
Questions regarding this work may be directed to Doug Derber at 303-724-1032 or e-mail at doug.derber@ucdenver.edu.
Changes to university webmail Oct. 21
(Oct. 17, 2008) The UC Denver IT Services department will be making cosmetic changes to the university webmail interface, accessed at https://webmail.ucdenver.edu, on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The changes will only be cosmetic and will not change any of the functionality of the Outlook Web Access interface. These changes are being made so our Outlook Web Access interface will be correctly branded with our UC Denver colors and logos. This change will not result in a service outage for UC Denver Outlook Web Access. These branding changes will not affect the non-migrated UCHSC users (webmail. UCHSC.edu) – only webmail users who have been migrated to the new UNIVERSITY domain will see the new branding.
SIS replacement project meetings on tap
(Oct. 14, 2008) Members of the campus SIS project team will be scheduling update meetings with the following campus groups during the fall 2008 term. The meetings will cover the next six months in the project cycle, data conversion, and topics of interest to faculty, such as on-line grading, degree audit and prerequisite checking.
The groups identified so far include: Associate Deans/Academic Support Group (AD/ASG), Undergraduate Working Group (UGWG), Faculty Assembly, Academic and Student Affairs Leadership (ASAL), Campus Advising Network, Deans, Academic Leadership Council, and Student Affairs Extended Leadership.
If your group is not in the list above and you would like to schedule an SIS presentation at a meeting, please contact Teri Burleson at teri.burleson@ucdenver.edu. Presentations can be tailored to your group’s interest. Expect at least 15 minutes plus time for questions and answers.
Win an iPod during Cyber Security Awareness Month
(Oct. 6, 2008) UC Denver’s Information Technology (IT) Services and the Office of Regulatory Compliance are sponsoring Cyber Security Awareness Month on the UC Denver campuses during October. Activities include an employee recognition event and student poster contest, so look for contest announcement posters online and around campus. You'll find the faculty and staff contest rules and nomination submission form on the IT Services’ security site. Also, be sure to check there for more information on both and weekly awareness tips on cyber security. Remember to drop by the the North Classroom or Building 500 on kick-off day, Wednesday, Oct. 8.
IT Services to discontinue modem dial-in
(Oct. 2, 2008) Effective Friday, Dec. 19, Information Technology (IT) Services will discontinue support of the remote access service (RAS) for UC Denver users. This change affects faculty, staff and students at all UC Denver locations including the Anschutz Medical Campus, 9th Avenue and the Downtown Campus. This means that UC Denver faculty, staff and students will no longer be able to access campus computing resources or the Internet using modem dial-up services after this date. The change was necessary in order for IT Services to enhance remote connectivity offerings using high speed technology such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modem. These services currently are the technology now used by more than 99 percent of UCD remote computing users. Internet-based virtual private networking (VPN) will be the campus standard for gaining remote access to campus resources. Contact your department IT liaison or the Help desk at 303-724-4357.