Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Fall wrap-up
- High Performance Computing: Chemistry 164, Computational Chemistry, led by Professor O'Leary, became the first class to utilize our new HPC system fully. The 18 enrolled students used Gaussian and GaussView on the HPC for their assignments, marking a significant step in integrating advanced computational resources into our academic offerings.
- New Staff: With recent position openings, we have been able to fill these roles anew and bring excellent new staff to Pomona:
- David Gallardo - Information Systems Administrator
- Pedro Rubalcava - Service Desk (Apple Certified Technician)
- Rene Vega - Information Systems Administrator
- Rigo Zavala - Media Services Technician
- Ryan Ziska – Director, Infrastructure Operations
- Amiee Zou - Instructional Technologist
- IT Security: We have made so many improvements to our security and risk stance this year:
- Implemented endpoint and server detection/defense
- Conducted annual network penetration tests
- Developed a documented Information Security Policy and Incident Response Plan
- Reconfigured network firewalls for more protective security posture
- Conducted an inventory of payment card data sources on campus.
In progress
- OneDrive migration: The Wells file services are being replaced by OneDrive which will allow us to take better advantage of other technologies in the future, such as SharePoint.
- Technology Partnerships: ITS is working closely with:
- Registrar to implement Coursedog (a new curriculum management tool by Fall 2024)
- Advancement to implement Salesforce (which will replace Raiser's Edge by early 2025)
- The Claremont Colleges to implement Anthology Student Information Systems (which will replace Jenzabar CX by mid-2025).
- Pomona HR for faculty and staff onboarding and offboarding.
- Classroom Upgrades – 20 projector upgrades and multiple podium upgrades planned for winter break. Smaller footprint/custom designed for each space.
- Disaster Recovery - ITS is developing a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan, ensuring continuity for Pomona’s critical services in the event of a disaster.
Coming in Spring!
- Cybersecurity Awareness Training is coming in early January, with raffle prizes!
- Learning Management: During Fall 2023 we saw a significant increase in Canvas adoption with 98 total faculty (31.5%) utilizing the platform. To ensure you're well-equipped for the Spring 2024 semester, we encourage you to register for our upcoming training sessions, explore our instructional guides or newly released video tutorials.
- Connectivity: The infrastructure team is working on plans for WiFi encryption and the creation of an all-Colleges Claremont Guest wireless network.
- Hahn Grant Project Event: The Research and Instructional Technology Group will be hosting the Hahn Teaching with Technology Grant Showcase in early spring celebrating this year’s grant recipients and their amazing work. Stay tuned for more details!
- ChatGPT: ITS can offer one-on-one or group training on the foundational aspects of AI and its implications for your teaching and student learning.
Did You Know?...
- ITS has a robust Technology Solutions Review process that we apply to all new software implementations for campus. The allows us to properly vet technical architecture, data security, accessibility, and legal compliance before making technology solutions purchases for Pomona College.
- ITS provides 24/7 access to commonly asked questions through a self-service knowledgebase.
- Data Governance - ITS partnered with Pomona’s Data Governance Committee to develop data classifications for Pomona’s data, and defined a set of security controls to protect systems that house Pomona’s restricted data.
Wishing you all a restful and joyful winter break from all of us in ITS. And a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Best wishes,
José and Team