This Is IT!
Volume 4, Issue 2, March 2008
Message from the
CIO/Vice President
The
Best
Place
to
Start
The Information Technology Division staff is working
diligently to improve campus-wide information technology in
areas such as academic computing, administrative computing,
enterprise systems, networking, planning and procedures,
security, telecommunications, staff training, records management
and enhanced service desk support. We are also well underway in updating the Information
Technology Master Plan that will serve the college district for the next three years.
A new project that we are particularly excited about is offering discounted software
to our students, faculty and staff. Through months of discussion and collaboration, you can
now purchase Microsoft software for home use at an extremely discounted price. Read
inside for more details.
Another project that is only in a testing phase, but none-the-less exciting, is the
possibility of integrating Apple computers at EPCC for the first time. Apple computers now
offer a dual boot operating system, which can accommodate both Mac and PC users.
YISD and UTEP have taken the initiative and it seems only practical to join their efforts by
exploring Apple’s compatibility and capability to operate on our systems.
Major enhancements, projects, initiatives and future plans will be highlighted
further a
as you read through the different articles. It is always
a pleasure
pleasu for me to share this publication with the hope
This is IT!
that it ke
keeps you informed and provides you with a better
Message from the CIO/VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
understa
understanding
of things taking place “behind the scenes” in
IT and Faculty Development . . . . . . . . . . 2
IT to make
ma EPCC a better place to learn and a better place
STS Making A Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Microsoft Software Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
to work. Hope you’re having a great semester!
EPCC’s 1st Video Game Expo. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional . . . . . . . . . .4
Microsoft Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . .4
TRC Newly Remodeled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Apple iMac Demonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Keep PDF Forms Coming! . . . . . . . . . . . .6
New Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SAS and Institutional Effectiveness . . . . . . . 6
Illegal Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Be Careful What You Post . . . . . . . . . . . .7
IT Congratulates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
MS Office 2007 Specials. . . . . . . . . . . .8
Say Hello to Office 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Fabiola Rubio
CIO/Vice President
El Paso Cou
County
unty Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
gender,
religion, gen
nder, age or disability.
Poppy photo by Fernie Garcia
This is IT Page 1
IT and Faculty Development
Students Assist
Elizabeth Lopez and Jonathan Olán
During the Spring 2008 Faculty Development Week,
students from Student Technology Services (STS) assisted in
workshops and presentations. One of the presentations was about
the STS program and was given to new faculty and EPCC students.
The STS student presenters were: Griselda Espinoza, Web Page
Developer; Marisela Rizo, Supervisor; and Elizabeth Lopez,
Supervisor. The Faculty members gave them great evaluations for
their efforts.
In web page workshops, STS student members of the IT/Web
Development Team assisted faculty with updating their websites.
The assistants were Adrian Hernandez, Jonathan Olán, Abraham
Trejo, Griselda Espinoza, and Marisela Rizo. Students got first hand
experience with helping twenty faculty members in the workshops.
Faculty said “This workshop was a great experience and will be a terrific
tool to improve my teaching skills,” and “This was a very productive
hands-on session!” In all, the attendees gave great evaluations for
the student assistants during Faculty Development.
If you are interested in creating a web page of your own, please
contact 831-6528, or apply for an account on our web site by clicking
on the link below.
http://www.epcc.edu/Default.aspx?alias=www.epcc.edu/web
Faculty Development IT Team Effort
The Information Technology Division sponsored over 23 workshops and participated
in sessions during Spring 2008 Faculty Development Week. Some of the topics covered in the
workshops were:
• An Introduction to Blackboard CE 6
• An Introduction to Web 2.0 Technologies
• Faculty Web Pages Made Easy
• Genie! Make my Word file HTML!!
• Get On the Right Track: Accelerate Your Computer Skills and Shape Up with Office
2007
• Grade Guide Grading Management Software
• How Can We Help You? Information Technology Service Desk 101
• Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista Deployment Update
• Outlook Web Access
• Say Hello to Office 2007
• Smart Classrooms, the Wave of the Future!
• Smart Start Network
• Smart Start Network: Technology That Helps!
• Smart Start Network Clinic
• Technology Resource Center Open House
• The Semester Starts Next Week! Does Your Online Course Need a Final Tweak?
• Visit the World of Digital TV at EPCC-TV
Presenters came from Academic Computing Services, AVP Instructional Resources
and Technology, Distance Ed, EPCC-TV, Instructional Media Services, IT Service Desk, IT Web
Team, Student Technology Services, Technology Resource Center, and Technology Support
Services. We appreciate the team effort that supported our students, faculty, and staff during
the Spring 2008 Faculty Development Week.
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STS Making A Difference
Elizabeth Lopez
UTR and First Light Credit Union
The United Through Reading (UTR) programs are still
going strong at the United Service Organizations (USO) with help
from our Student Technology Services (STS) students. Currently
the UTR programs have expanded to First Light Credit Union
on Ft. Bliss. Deploying soldiers who are interested in doing the
UTR recording can now go to either the USO or the First Light
Credit Union. When a soldier attends a recording session they
will be given a choice of books ranging from infant to teenage
levels. Then the solider will privately record the book reading for
30 minutes. After the recording, the UTR volunteer prepares a
package to be sent to the soldier’s family with the recorded book
reading on a CD and a DVD, and with additional information about the UTR program. STS is also
working with MacGregor Range Training Base to allow recording on site for the soldiers that are
unable to come to Ft. Bliss. The soldiers deploy overseas directly from MacGregor Range without
an opportunity to see their families again. UTR will be a great advantage for these soldiers.
Ysleta Independent School District
Currently, STS is working on a partnership with the Ysleta Independent School District
(YISD) to form an adult-teaching program in which STS students will be teaching the basic computer
functions to the parents of YISD elementary and middle school students. These parents will be
learning things like how to turn on a computer, how to work a mouse, how to use the internet, and
how to create Word documents on Mac computers. Classes will be held at Lancaster and Lebaron
Elementary Schools to start with, but we are hoping to expand to other schools. In the future, STS
expects to expand this project to the students by offering classes in which they can learn about
computer hardware and how to create their own web page.
Microsoft
Software Upgrades
Claire Buisson-Rodriguez
Cl
All EPCC campus computers are being upgraded with Microsoft
Of
Offi
ce
2007,
and this conversion is scheduled for completion by May
Photo by Neil Davis,Tejano Tribune
15, 2008. The Enterprise version includes PowerPoint, Excel, Access,
15
Word, Publisher, Outlook, OneNote, InfoPath and Groove. According to Luis Ojeda, Manager for
PC Support, this upgrade will keep EPCC up-to-date with current technology standards. A software
deployment committee at the college decided it was in the best interest of the students to make
the transition.
The primary change to Office programs is the Office Fluent User Interface, which was
designed to make the commands you use most often more readily available. The Ribbon is a
component of this new look that groups tools together by task. Tabs at the top of the Ribbon
grant access to the various task- related commands that were formerly located on tool bars or
menus. According to Luis Ojeda, most files created with Office 2003 are compatible with Office
2007.
User assistance is available via the Help button located on the far right side of the Ribbon
in all Office 2007 programs. Additionally, Microsoft has developed an assortment of free training
resources, such as tutorials, demos, and reference guides, which are available from Microsoft Office
Online. To find them, visit the EPCC Technology Resource Center Tutorials web page where links
will quickly guide you to these resources. You can also find the TRC Office 2007 Training Calendar
here if you’re interested in attending one of the many hands-on training sessions available to staff
and faculty. Click on the link below.
http://www.epcc.edu/trc/TrainingCalendar/tabid/8685/Default.aspx
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EPCC’s 1st Video Game Expo
Jonathan Olán
On March 14, 2008, Information Technology held EPCC’s first video game expo, which
was a fundraiser for student scholarships. The event took place at the ASC building (9050 Viscount). It
began at 11:00 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m., and offered four Nintendo Wii and
two Playstation 3 consoles, all simultaneously playable on 6 big screens.
The Nintendo Wii’s distinguishing feature is its wireless controller, the
Wii Remote and Nunchuck, which enables the player to interact with the game
by moving of their handwork. Because of this, players don’t have to worry
about their level of gaming experience to enjoy the event. The Playstation 3
has outstanding graphics, online gaming system, and use of next-generation
optical media, Blu-ray Disc, as its primary storage medium.
Some of the games in the event included Wii Sports, a collection of
five sports simulations designed to allow players to mimic actions performed
in real sports utilizing the Wii Remote. The five sports included tennis,
baseball, golf, and boxing. There was also Guitar Hero, a popular series
of music video games played by a guitar-shaped peripheral to simulate the
playing of rock music, and shown on screen by colored notes that correspond
to fret buttons on the control. All of these games are fun and easy to use,
but there were trained staff present on the Wii and PS3 consoles to provide
assistance.
Refreshments included pizza, popcorn, ice cream, nachos, and
soft drinks. Prizes were awarded during the event, including the hard to find
NINTENDO WII CONSOLE, which Efrain Mendoza won. Congratulations to Efrain!
There was no entrance fee, so people were free to watch the gaming experience. However, if
people wanted to play, they purchased a $5 ticket containing 5 credits which was used for games, food,
or the raffle. If players ran out of credits, they were able to buy additional tickets.
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional
Rachel Viramontes
Have you upgraded to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Professional? If you still have
Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional, you can upgrade to Version 8 by calling the IT Service Desk at
831-6440. No request form is required for the upgrade for faculty and staff.
If you need a new installation, please complete the Adobe Software Request found on the
District Forms web page and e-mail to the itservicedesk@epcc.edu.
Version 8 is the latest in the Adobe Acrobat family and allows you to create, combine and
control PDF documents for easy, more secure distribution and data collection. It also comes with
Adobe Designer, which allows you to create “fillable” forms from scratch.
Microsoft Tips and Tricks
Claire Buisson-Rodriguez
In preparation for the district wide upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007, IT sponsored a
Microsoft Tips and Tricks training session at the ASC on Friday, October 12, 2007. Microsoft trainer
Roxie Mitchell presented the training to a large group of interested staff. Many employees from
departments within the IT Division were in attendance.
The session included an introduction to the new features of Microsoft Office 2007, some
tips and tricks for working with Office 2007, the user-friendly quality of the upgraded programs, and
the availability of Microsoft online training support options. Ms. Mitchell also discussed some of
the seldom-used functions hidden in previous Office versions, and demonstrated how to access
these functions in Office 2007. Even some of the ‘old timers’ in the audience were surprised at the
existence of these formerly hard-to-find functions.
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TRC Newly Remodeled
Photos by Debby Toynes and Cheryl Bowman
The Newly Remodeled Technology Resource Center at Valle Verde Campus
opened its doors in August of 2007 and has been very busy. Clockwise from top left: Testing Services
meeting in the new Conference Room; Sasha Chacon multitasking at a new workroom station;
. Microsoft Office 2007 workshop in the new Training Room; Kimberly Harrison demonstrating
Microsoft Office 2007. The new location is Room C202, across from the library.
Apple iMac Demonstrations
Richard Buller
Since Apple, Inc. changed to the same Intel Processor that runs all Microsoft Windowsbased computers, interest in Mac computers has grown. Dr. Richard Rhodes, the EPCC President,
suggested taking a look at the Mac, so the IT Integrated Technology Committee (ITC) was formed
to investigate their technology.
Apple representatives, in response to an IT invitation, gave demos in late January and
the attendees learned how the Intel processor supported running the Mac operating system and
a Windows operating system, one at a time or both memory-resident at the same time. Based
on the interest generated, the Apple team was invited back for two days in February to gather
feedback from faculty and staff users. ( A survey revealed that 82 percent of those surveyed were
interested in using Apple iMac computers at EPCC.) Technical discussions with the IT Services
Team answered network access and integration questions and helped the CIO, Fabiola Rubio,
measure the impact of adding this new computing platform to the mix that the College IT Division
would support.
The next phase will be placing approximately 20 iMac computers in the general purpose
ACS labs at each campus, each capable of running a student’s choice of the Mac Operating System
X or Windows XP and the software applications currently running in those labs. Student users
will be surveyed, and IT and ITC will evaluate all aspects of the test environment before reaching
a decision. If the Mac computers deliver reliability and performance, the College will choose to
give students the choice of operating systems wherever that technology offers advantages for
students and programs.
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Keep PDF Forms Coming!
Rachel Viramontes
Have you visited the District Forms page on the web lately? Did you know that the Property
Control Form (including continuation page) and the Petty Cash Reimbursement/Disbursement Form
are now available on the web in PDF format? The District Forms web page continues to grow, which
means more of the College forms you use on a regular basis are being converted to PDF format and
are fillable online. Some of these forms are also available on the departmental websites; however,
the goal is to eventually have all the frequently used forms available in one centralized location on
the web, making it easier and quicker to access and complete them.
In order to complete the forms, all you need is Acrobat Reader. However, if you want to
complete the form and save it to your hard drive along with the data you entered, you must have
Adobe Acrobat Professional. The software is available for installation through the IT Service Desk
and it can be done remotely.
For those departments that are already sharing your forms, I ask that you keep me informed
if forms are updated or need to be removed so that the website is always up-to-date. For those
departments that would like to have their forms posted on the web, please convert your forms to
PDF “fillable” format and e-mail them to my attention. Only PDF “fillable” forms are allowed on the
District Forms page. The conversion process is fairly simple to do; however, if you need help or
have any questions, please contact Rachel Viramontes at rviramo1@epcc.edu or at 831-6542.
To visit the District Forms page, click on the link below.
http://www.epcc.edu/FacultyStaff/DistrictForms/tabid/213/language/en-US/Default.aspx
New Archives
Bonnie Prieto
Records Management is awaiting the new archives warehouse
now under construction in the Administrative Services Center in Building A.
This facility will provide cost-effective storage of non-current, infrequently
used records in hard copy and microfilm format. For College departments
to be eligible for services at the warehouse, certain criteria must be met.
The list of criteria is in the Records Management and Archives
manual (used for the training classes) can now be accessed on the
internet.
To access the criteria, click on the link below.
http://www.epcc.edu/Portals/192/CompleteBrochure1.pdf
SAS®and Institutional Effectiveness
Ralph Silva
Using SAS analytics software, EPCC leaders at all levels can understand the big picture of
institutional effectiveness by bringing data together from multiple sources and cleansing the data to
ensure accurate reporting. SAS provides advanced analytics that identifies significant correlations in
the data, analyzes trends, and predicts future scenarios. Through modern point-and-click graphical
user interfaces, users can surface the right intelligence to the right people – at the right time – to
make a difference in our College students' lives.
SAS can help with questions such as:
• What is the best way to optimize funds to support each college program, class, and
student so that we improve learning outcomes, recruiting, retention, etc.?
• Which learning programs or classes are best positioned to offer students
successful learning outcomes?
• What recruiting strategies return the best results?
• Where are the trigger events that cause a drop in retention, and when should we
position resources to intervene?
• How can we tie data usage to overall institutional strategy, and surface that
information to people in a meaningful way that helps them do their jobs most
effectively?
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Illegal Act
Richard Buller
When you see an article or hear about “online piracy,” it is important to understand that
it may apply to you if you spend time on the Internet. Just because information, a document, a
video or song is on the Internet does not mean it is in the public domain and, therefore, available
at no cost to you or anyone else. The illegal downloading from the Internet and the copying and
subsequent sharing of copyrighted materials for business or personal use is precisely what online
piracy is about. Those who engage in this behavior are lawbreakers. Ignorance of the legalities
will not excuse your actions. Today, because many college and university students and the staff
and faculty of institutions of higher education do spend a lot of time on the Internet in research
activities or creating class material, they might be tempted to “borrow” material they would like to
have immediately available on their personal computer.
Online piracy can mean downloading music, movies, games, or software without the
permission of the copyright owner as well as sharing music, movies, games, and software copies
that you own. If you are pirating digital files found on the Internet, you could be subject to significant
fines or penalties in other forms. Here are some of the penalties you could be subject to if you
illegally download music:
• According to U.S. copyright law, you could be fined up to $30,000.
• Your home computer and associated files and discs could be confiscated.
• You could expose your computer to viruses.
• You could expose your computer to spyware or other unwanted software that could
contain malicious codes.
Using a College computer or our network for online piracy, or for making and sharing
copies of purchased movies and music, is theft and is prohibited in EPCC’s “Acceptable Use
of Information Resources” Procedure 2.05.01.54. The sooner you acknowledge this, the less
the chance you will get in trouble. Most of us know or remember being told that we should not
download copyrighted material, but might not remember the penalties and consequences. As the
U.S. Congress deliberates legislation designed to prevent or limit this piracy, each of us must
understand the law to protect the property rights of the authors and owners and comply with it.
Be Careful
What You Post
Richard Buller
One-fifth of hiring managers have used the internet to find
personal information about potential job candidates and one-quarter of
those have rejected candidates based on those findings, according to
a survey by Viadeo conducted just last March. Thirteen percent of the
managers actually recruited someone because of what they found. Clearly,
employers are becoming more interested in using online search tools or
hiring commercial research firms to locate any available data. What is found about yourself is up
to you!
The social networking phenomenon is still very young and developing. How you are
treated by a prospective employer may depend on how you have presented yourself to the World
Wide Web community. Over half of 18- to 24- year- old persons primarily post “party pictures” (by
their own account). Also, over half of this age group report their personal information has been
posted online by others, often without their consent.
It is time to understand the consequences of a posting that presents them in a moment
that might be fun to remember, but not one to be seen by everyone for eternity. Has anyone heard
of an employer that offered a job to someone based on the number of hits to their personal Web
portal?
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IT Congratulates...
AJ Navarro
ASC March Employee of the Month
AJ Navarro was chosen Employee of the Month because of his
leadership abilities, loyalty to EPCC, and futuristic endeavors for EPCC.
As the Webmaster, he leads the Web Development Team with clear goals
and concise direction, consistently pushing the team to learn more through
reading and experimenting. AJ proves his loyalty to EPCC by constantly
seeking to bring it to the forefront of technology, drawing more users to
visit the site, and increasing our enrollment. Congratulations, AJ – You
deserve this!
Gabriel Gaytan
VV March Employee of the Month
Gabriel Gaytan was selected as Employee of the Month
for his enthusiastic commitment towards our young community;
hosting Vista View Middle School students for an ‘art session’ during
EPCC’s participation in the Groundhog Day Shadowing event in
February. He’s a Media Producer with EPCC-TV, and has been with
EPCC since 1981. Congratulations Gabriel on your well deserved
recognition.
Irvin de la Torre
STS Student Wins National Scholarship
Irvin de la Torre won a scholarship (in February) awarded by
The League for Innovation in the Community College and Distinguished
Partner Microsoft Corporation. This year, the Terry O'Banion Student
Developer Scholarships were awarded to three students nation-wide
who demonstrated a special passion for technology that is leading
them to pursue a career in IT. De la Torre (3.6 GPA Computer Science
Major) was awarded $5,000 plus a copy of Microsoft software programs.
Congratulations!
MS Office 2007 Specials
Suggested retail price $499.95
EPCC faculty and staff can purchase MS Office Professional
2007 for only $6.00. Visit the Administrative Services Center, room A
217, to purchase your copy! For information call the IT Service Desk:
831-6440.
EPCC students can purchase it for only $62.00. Visit your
Academic Computing Services Lab for additional information.
Say Hello to Office 2007
Information Technology began upgrading all campus computers this January
with MS Office 2007. The deployment is scheduled for completion by May 15.
Presently, IT is about 10 days ahead of schedule.
For more information please contact the IT Service Desk at 831-6440.
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