On February 4, 2013, a new SXU Intranet Portal will open up for faculty, staff, and students to use.“By definition, a portal is a gateway, or entrance, to information. The purpose of the new mySXU is to consolidate the applications and information most widely used by students, faculty and staff. The portal will bring access, news, resources and information into one landing pad for ease of use and improved internal communication. All in one place!” says Maggie Eaheart, Project Manager, IT.
Eaheart states that this project will not only allow an easier access to the portal, but an access sign-in to mymail right away without working through other portals to get to it. “Students will benefit from single sign on to myMail, myCourses, and CLAWS. For current students, faculty and staff, CLAWS will reside in the portal, identified as CLAWS (Self Service). Along with links to news, events and important information, everything you need can be found through the portal,” Eaheart states.
Eaheart explains that this change is centered on the feedback students, faculty, and staff have sent. When asked about who was behind this project, Eaheart replied that this project is “Lead by the Administrative Technologies team of the Information Technologies department, this project benefits from a true inter-departmental effort.”
She continues with “We’ve reached out to Student Government, Faculty, Administrative and Staff leadership.” Eaheart states how the department collaborated with Information Technology, University Relations, The Center for Instructional Design and Instructional Design & Academic Technology, and all members of the Colleague Operations Group (COG). COG is made up of representatives from all the administrative offices such as Records & Advising, Campus Life, Residence Life, Financial Aid, Bursar, Admission, Accounting, Human Resources, Payroll, and Academic Affairs.
Although many departments and people are involved, Eaheart explains that “The bulk of the accomplishments are attributed to the dedication and creativity of Christine Rorer, Senior Web Applications Developer, Brandon Nigro, SharePoint/DB Administrator and Sherry Welch, Web Content Editor.”
She goes on to say that “Christine and Brandon have taken on the “heavy lifting” from the technical side and Sherry has put forth great effort on the navigation and content of the information sites.”When asked about any further projects that would launch Fall 2013, Eaheart said “We are continuously looking for ways to improve. Right now, we’re working toward a three-year institutional technology plan under the direction of the Technology Task Force lead by Bob Tenczar, Vice President of University Relations. They are reviewing a variety of possibilities for the future, including the development of an institutional mobile strategy.”
Eaheart goes on to tell that one feature that students can get excited over is the ability for students to get to the myMail through their smartphones. Students can look into that after the new portal goes live. Eaheart expresses that “In the immediate future, we continue to build the network and infrastructure, improve student administrative processes and enhance the student academic experience. We’re looking to expand the scope of single sign on access to reach beyond myMail, myCourses, CLAWS and Colleague and we look forward to expanding the use of the portal.”
By: Nermeen Shaabneh
News Editor