December 2023 A&F Times

Tech Talk with the IT Team

Applications That You Depend On

If you have worked on integrations with Enterprise Applications, you have probably heard us rave enthusiastically about “Boomi”. The Boomi Integration platform is a robust tool to simplify connections between applications. Where PeopleSoft requires very specialized training, the IT Analyst/Programmers have been able to leverage their advanced query writing and/or SQL skills to design integrations that meet the campus needs. Maintenance and future support can move a lot quicker, especially when pulling data from one of the PeopleSoft systems to your third-party, department-specific application. As a bonus, most CSUs are actively using Boomi and can share code between campuses, which eliminates unnecessary overhead in starting new integrations from scratch!

Thank you to our campus-wide partners who have jumped on board the Boomi train for these integrations - Atrium, Barnes & Noble, Parking Management Bureau, Point and Click, SignalVine, Anthology, and Fusion.

Coming soon: we will be migrating existing integrations (i.e., Questica and Blackbaud Award Management) and perfecting the bidirectional integration process to ingest data back into the PeopleSoft applications. Stay tuned!

Tech Tips that Save Time

Luxor One Lockers outside Salazar Hall

The IT Help Desk is pleased to announce the introduction of Luxer One lockers, conveniently located outside of Salazar Hall! This new system is implemented to improve the process of equipment exchange, particularly during non-operational hours of the Help Desk. Luxer One lockers provide the campus with a practical and reliable solution for the pick-up and return of IT equipment. Catering to the varied schedules of our students, faculty, and staff, these lockers ensure that the need for equipment exchange is not restricted by the Help Desk's working hours. Users can now access necessary IT equipment, such as laptops and computing devices, at any time, irrespective of the Help Desk’s availability

To access the services offered by Luxer One lockers, users are required to establish an account. This is a crucial step to ensure secure and authorized access to the locker facilities. Instructions for account creation are available at Luxer One Locker Account Creation. For comprehensive information regarding the operation and benefits of Luxer One lockers, please visit Luxer One Locker Information..

Cyber Security Advisory

This time of year is rife with cyber threats as cybercriminals are adept at exploiting the holiday spirit to further their malicious activities and gains. Below are a few tips to keep in mind for a safe season:

• Stay vigilant by scrutinizing unsolicited emails, phone calls, and fake websites offering enticing deals or requiring urgent action.
• Verify the legitimacy of communications before clicking any links or divulging any personal information.
• Be cautious when contributing to charitable causes during this time when fake charities proliferate by verifying donation requests directly through official channels to ensure your generosity reaches legitimate organizations.
• When engaging in online transactions, prioritize well known and reputable websites with secure connections (https://) and utilize credit cards with fraud protection.
  • Many credit card companies will provide you with “virtual card” numbers to use online for one purchase at a time.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for all sensitive activities, including banking or accessing your personal and work accounts.
• Regularly update your devices and applications to ensure they are patched against security vulnerabilities - cybercriminals often exploit outdated systems.
• Enhance your account security by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

New Initiatives from the Chancellor's IT Office

The Chancellor’s Office is launching two exciting new initiatives! The first, is the system-wide digital degree planner transformation program. This project will be an opportunity for SSU to partner with the Chancellor’s Office and use one of two vendors to deploy a digital degree planner for our students. This project aims to implement an accurate, modern, and mobile-friendly system-wide digital planner solution that will allow us to collaborate on this shared solution and offer a better service to our students!

The second is an initiative to collaborate with functional and technical experts across the CSU to bring together efforts to utilize Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology to assist in achieving enrollment targets and improving retention and student success efforts across the CSU. Goals of this initiative include crafting a simple implementation approach for campuses without a CRM solution, and providing procurement vehicles for the acquisition and implementation of CRM tools.

What's Happening on Campus

Thanks for a Suite Year! 

Join us for a joint celebration between A&F and Academic Affairs in Salazar Hall Suite 2050 as we celebrate the end of the year! Show off your baking skills and bring your favorite sweet treat to share. The festivities start at 3pm in the center of the suite near Conference Room A.

Campus Power Shutdown

From December 26 through December 29, electrical power to all Sonoma State University campus buildings will be shut off so that critical electrical work related to the campus infrastructure may be completed. All campus buildings will be closed. Employees and students will not be able to enter campus buildings during this time. Power, heat, and lighting will be shut off campus wide. During the power shutdown, electrical generators will be used to provide power for essential and emergency services. To prepare your office or campus residence for this power shutdown, please ensure the following:

• Equipment: Completely power down all equipment prior to leaving for winter break. Remember to turn off power to computer monitors as well. Please unplug power strips for an extra level of safety.
• Power Supply: Turn off uninterruptible power supplies (UPS’s) as the batteries will only carry the loads for a few hours, at best, before they are depleted and equipment shuts down.
• Refrigerator/Freezer: Remove perishable items. During the power outage refrigerators and freezers will defrost when they reach ambient temperature. Take perishables home and consider turning off refrigeration equipment a few days prior so any water can be cleaned up to prevent any issue upon your return from the holiday closure.
• Security: Lock doors and secure confidential documents.
• Trash & Recycling: Please take all perishable waste items to the nearest kitchen/pantry for disposal by the end of the day on December 20. Trash and recycling left after December 20 will not be disposed of until January 2.

Health & Wellness

Namaste, Seawolves

Try out a lunchtime yoga class to get in a mid-day stretch, reset, and meet employees from other units! Classes take place Monday-Thursday from 12:05pm-12:55pm in Ives 80. 

Mondays and Thursdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Meditative Yoga with Jeanne Janae Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12:05 - 12:55pm, Ives 80): Yoga Flow with Kim Purdy

♫ You Need to Calm Down ♫

If listening to Taylor Swift alone isn't enough, try out a Calm Meditation Session to help with relaxation, de-stress, and improve sleep quality. Two live sessions will be offered this month: 

December 13, 2023 - 10am-10:15am (Join here at the time of the event)

December 27, 2023 - 2-2:15pm (Join here at the time of the event) 

Anniversaries & New Hires!

Welcomed to SSU in November

Anniversaries Celebrated in November