What’s New in IT for Fall 2011

North Georgia College & State University (where I work as CIO and as an Associate Professor of Computer Science) has seen a lot of growth and change in the past few years. We’re coming up on completion of over $260 Million in construction and renovations, we’ve added six new buildings in the past three years, and our record enrollment topped 6,100 students this semester.

In addition to all the change in the physical infrastructure, there have been a lot of exciting technology changes and additions in the past several months. Working with the Student Government Association, we’ve been fortunate to be able to deliver some long-standing requests and finish up some exciting projects this summer. Below is a partial list – swing by our IT Service Desk in the Library, visit our web site at http://northgeorgia.edu/IT , or talk to us through our user feedback site http://ngcsu.uservoice.com to learn more or to share new ideas. IT in a 21st-century university lives on ideas, thank you for sharing yours and for helping us make North Georgia even better!

Top news and projects in IT for FY12:

• Microsoft Student Option (August 2011) – Office and Windows 7 for your PC/Mac at NO COST for current students! Come by the IT Service Desk for quick help, or download and install yourself by going to https://software.northgeorgia.edu! All campus and virtual labs (at http://remote.northgeorgia.edu ) now have Windows 7 and Office 2010, and much faster logins thanks to SGA’s support, as well.
• Classroom Technology Upgrades (August 2011) – We’ve upgraded all 120 classrooms and learning spaces on campus with new, user-friendly projectors/displays, touch-screen controls, laptop and iPad connections, and more!
• NorthGeorgia.edu Mobile Site (September 2011) – Now all of the information in the NorthGeorgia.edu web site is at your fingertips for iPhone/Android/Blackberry mobile devices. Check out http://m.northgeorgia.edu today!
• NorthGeorgia iPhone/iPad App (October 2011) – Download the FREE official NorthGeorgia iPhone/iPad app from the iTunes App Store! Includes updated Campus Maps, full faculty and staff Campus Directory, Events, Videos and more!
• 100% Residential Wireless Expansion (December 2011) – Thanks to funding from IT, Auxiliary Services, and SGA/Student Technology, the final four residence halls (Owen, Lewis, Lewis Annex, and Donovan) have our newest Aerohive wireless!
• Network and Internet Upgrade (January 2012) – Doubling our Internet connection to 500Mbps from 250Mbps and adding a redundant failover connection, with plans to go to 1Gb later in 2012!
• And much, much more… Ongoing collaboration on projects from construction (the new University Center at GA 400, Liberty Hall, renovations of Gaillard, Hoag, and Barnes) to student affairs (OrgSync), academic affairs (DegreeWorks, Banner Document Management, Desire2Learn), advancement (new Alumni and Reunion sites), business & finance (PeopleAdmin, PeopleSoft reporting).

As you can see, it’s been a busy summer, but that’s how we like it. Bringing value to a growing 21st century University is what we’re all about! Let us know how we can help you make North Georgia even better.