Category Archives: Top Stories

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Message from the VPIT-CIO

By | June 4, 2020
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Text that reads: "Diversity is not a check in the box, it is who we are."

Our community is experiencing extreme challenges, and our Black sisters and brothers are dealing with centuries of racism and hurt that are playing out before our very eyes. I know all of us feel angry, hurt, scared, and tired of reading and watching these types of horrific events repeat every day. These acts underscore the importance of our efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of life. It challenges me and all of us to do what is right, and not to wait to make changes.

‘How can we help?’ HITS steps up services and support during the pandemic

By | June 4, 2020
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Fast. Efficient. Innovative. Responsive. All describe how Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) worked behind the scenes to make the immediate and necessary adjustments to accommodate the COVID-19 outbreak. HITS instantly sprang into action to answer the call – literally. The Service Desk received nearly 16,600 calls and 4,000 chat requests between March 15-31, doubling their typical volume. Staff worked… Read More »

Detroit Center offers virtual event planning services

By | June 2, 2020
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Instead of canceling your upcoming event, let the U-M Detroit Center (UMDC) help you transition to hosting online. This service helps those looking pivot to digitally hosting events in this new and changing landscape. UMDC offers a range of options, from consultations to running technology during the event itself. Features and benefits of these virtual event planning services include. A consultation to help determine the best… Read More »

UM-Dearborn grade change process goes electronic

By | May 29, 2020
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With COVID-19 and working from home upon the university community, leadership at UM-Dearborn identified the need to move the paper-based process for grade corrections known as Grade Change into an electronic format. There was an additional pressure: the “busy season” for grade changes was just a few weeks away. Salesforce was chosen as the solution—it was already in use,… Read More »

Expanded access to LinkedIn Learning at U-M

By | May 22, 2020
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A student uses a laptop

LinkedIn Learning is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.  Information and Technology Services (ITS) and Organizational Learning (OL) have partnered to provide increased access to LinkedIn Learning for students, staff (including temporary workers), and faculty.  “This is an incredibly valuable and strategic tool… Read More »

Tips for building engaging virtual conferences

By | May 18, 2020
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laptop on table with large video conference on screen, coffee mug to the left

As more and more events go to a virtual platform, “virtual event fatigue” is also on the rise. Many groups have been either canceling or finding creative ways to deal with the burnout. One alternative conference getting a lot of attention right now Deserted Island DevOps. It’s using the popular video game called Animal Crossing to engage participants.… Read More »

Profiles in IT: Kara Thomas—Active listening advocate

By | April 24, 2020
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Kara Thomas outdoor shot

MiWorkspace desktop support specialist associate, Kara Thomas, provides IT support at the Fleming Building to some of the highest-ranking officials at the university. She does it with aplomb and an eye toward mental health well-being. She is active with the ITS and Fleming Building DEI teams, and interested in overall health and general well being.  Tell us about… Read More »

LSA Technology Services shines in the midst of pandemic prep

By | April 23, 2020
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illustration of four people videoconferencing on various devices

Technology professionals do their best every day to deliver reliable and innovative services to faculty, students, and staff. Sometimes they work on their own, sometimes as a team, and often in collaboration with other campus IT units. The LSA Technology Services team rose to new heights in response to changes in the last half of March, from the… Read More »

Working remotely at Ross: A school mobilizes in response to a pandemic

By | April 21, 2020
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Stephen M. Ross School of Business building exterior

Like so many across campus, including the Ross School of Business, the priority was the safety and well-being of their faculty, students, and staff, followed by their academic mission. Using those principles as a guide, the Ross IT team sprang into action to ensure that their community had the tools they needed to successfully continue teaching and learning. … Read More »

Start your (software) engines! CAEN provides XR support to MRacing team

By | April 9, 2020
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What do you get when you combine race cars and extended reality (XR)? If you said a modded version of “Grand Theft Auto” you’d be wrong. The correct answer is: U-M’s award-winning Michigan Electric Racing Team (and CAEN’s John Hufnagel). Hufnagel is the lead MCAD applications analyst for CAEN, the IT services department for Michigan Engineering. (MCAD is… Read More »

Dearborn ITS steps up to help campus transition to remote work

By | April 2, 2020
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Table with dozens of laptops,

Dearborn Information Technology Services began an all-hands exercise in response to the changing landscape of COVID-19 the week of March 9. We had two main concerns when the possibility of the campus going completely remote was looking like it was going to become a reality.  The first challenge was keeping the Service Desk running so we could accept… Read More »

All in a day’s work: HITS’ COVID-19 response

By | April 1, 2020
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Online medical assistance vector illustration. Man using smartphone app for consulting doctor. Male patient chatting with practitioner on internet

COVID-19 turned all of our personal and professional lives upside down. For Michigan Medicine, the HITS team has proved they are up to the challenge, coming together to solve problems, support customers, launch ingenious solutions, and take care of one another.  Innovative service In the first two weeks of remote work, the Service Desk fielded over 4,000 telework… Read More »

Profiles in IT: Caitlin Dickinson—Mapping maven

By | March 31, 2020
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Caitlin Dickinson

Caitlin Dickinson, mapping expert LSA Technology Services, finds joy in learning and discovery, and in using tools to create maps that solve problems. In this MITN interview, she offers tips, tools, and best practices for researchers and fellow map enthusiasts.  Tell us about your role as a Geographic Information System (GIS) consultant at LSA.  I assist LSA faculty,… Read More »

UM-Flint supports campus community in working and learning remotely

By | March 30, 2020
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checklist and blue marker on laptop keyboard

The University of Michigan-Flint is helping its campus community work and learn remotely in a wide variety of ways. Office of Extended Learning director Nicholas Gaspar and Information Technology Services director Scott Arnst shared an update on support services in a Q&A with University Communications & Marketing.  For example, the Office of Extended Learning (OEL), in conjunction with… Read More »

Michigan IT helps faculty to “Keep Teaching @ U-M” during COVID-19 response

By | March 30, 2020
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illustration of instructor on laptop screen surrounded by miniature students

In a matter of days, the coronavirus forced everything to change at the University of Michigan. To promote public safety and to “flatten the curve,” the university determined all courses needed to move online for the remainder of the semester, and faculty had two working days to make that happen.  The response from faculty, students, and staff was… Read More »