IT Services
A Department of Learner Support Services
The National Student Survey 2010-11 shows that:
We have also undertaken our own IT Services Student Survey (the first took place in 2009). The results and our response will soon be published on our survey page.
A new dedicated 30-seat cluster was set up in room S0.38 in Student Central. This cluster is open at all times when Student Central is open, and is not bookable for teaching.
The student clinic has been revamped and relocated into room 01.45 in the student zone. Room 01.44 will be re-opening shortly as a quiet study zone for laptop users during May and June. Over the Summer, this room will be refurbished and launched again as a student PC cluster. This will be increase cluster PC capacity by about 20 seats for the start of next academic session.
IT Services has contributed to the success of the refurbished learning and social space for students throughout the planning and implementation stages. Examples include the new student cluster capacity in Student Central (room S0.38) which is based on the layout, design and technology of cluster room F42 in Richmond Building. This was authorised after a detailed analysis on student PC cluster usage on the campus.
The Student Union team have moved into the new student democracy zone with a desktop and printer technology refresh of 25 devices including Secure Global Desktop technology for the Sabbatical Officers.
The space is covered by wireless networks and hundreds of power and open access network points have been enabled. There is anecdotal evidence of significantly increasing laptop and mobile IT use in the new space, at all times of the day and night.
IT services also supported the launch of a new Point of Sale system in the retail, bars and shop outlets.
There was also a major refurbishment of the J. B. Priestley Library entrance level, which included provision of new wireless and fixed equipment in a brand new setting, creation of new IT-supported Group Study Rooms and also the new multi-function printing and copying service. One of the ageing PC cluster rooms in another part of the Library was closed and the PCs were relocated to improve quick access for students.
We have provided a number of dedicated password-setting kiosks. These can be found in the J. B. Priestley Library, Richmond Building and the School of Management. They allow new security codes (to allow the resetting of passwords) to be delivered by email or by text message.
We have introduced rigorous root cause analysis and now report transparently regarding IT service interruptions.
We continue to pro-actively monitor ResNet and RoamNet usage. Various technology was upgraded over the Summer to support this service. In October 2010 there were 4406 RoamNet users (a record) and 1104 ResNet users (highest total since May 2008 when Kirkstone was partly demolished) minus 415 usernames that used both ResNet and RoamNet. In response to customer feedback we have allowed the same username to log on to RoamNet more than once, to aid people who have more than one device. At peak times there are now 1,000 concurrent users using RoamNet and 700 for ResNet.
We are pleased to have secured external funding to enable us to extend the NorMAN out of hours IT telephone support service (tel.01274 233333) for a further 12 months.
Once again, IT Services facilitated the Student Union in using a paperless and web-based e-voting system to elect next year's officers including sabbaticals. Across all the elections over 2,500 students voted this year which is a record.
IT infrastructure has facilitated a CCTV link between Emm Lane and City Campus, which means that Richmond security can view and control cameras at the School of Management, and vice versa. This will help with control of City Campus should some emergency mean Richmond has to be evacuated, and with Richmond Security running (amongst other things) the soon to be installed car park barriers at the School of Management. There has been no additional expenditure by IT Services to facilitate this.
We retained our Silver Award status at the internal Ecoversity Award event in June 2011. There were two submissions for the innovation award. The first, was the campus wide energy audit through our involvement with the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EUAC) Project and the Action Plan we developed. The second was for best energy saving idea relating to PC desktop managed power down for all staff and student equipment on the campus. We have established a new Green IT web presence, providing updates on Ecoversity initiatives, including our submission for various Green Impact Awards.
In February, IT Services made a submission to the Times Higher Education awards for Outstanding ICT initiative for the implementation of our document management system (e-Files). We received help and support from colleagues in the Disability Service, Student Administration and Support and Marketing to put the bid together. We followed this with submissions to the UCISA Award for Excellence and the Times Higher Outstanding Support to Students Award (related to the launch of Student Central) and also the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation highlighting our major commitments to mobile technology. There is a short video which was used as part of our submission:
All services are running as normal, unless stated here.
| Room | Number of Free PCs |
|---|---|
| J.B.Priestley 01.41 | 10 |
| J.B.Priestley 01.16 | 18 |
| J.B.Priestley 01.53 | 71 |
| J.B.Priestley 01.44 | 18 |
| J.B.Priestley Health Studies Library | 8 |
| J.B.Priestley Floor 0 Foyer | 14 |
| J.B.Priestley Floor 0 Scanners | 6 |
| J.B.Priestley Floor 1 Extension | 12 |
| J.B.Priestley Floor 2 Extension | 11 |
| J.B.Priestley Room 2.7a | 28 |
| Richmond J31 | 20 |
| Richmond L24 | 44 |
| Chesham C0.02 | 24 |
| School of Management Library | 5 |
| Richmond F42 (Sunray Cluster) | 99 |
| Student Central S038 (Sunray Cluster) | 30 |
