We’re so glad to have you join the SU Community! This guide is meant to provide IT specific information to help you get off to a great and productive start. If at any point you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at helpdesk@su.edu or 540-665-5555. We are also happy to meet with you one-on-one if you would like to learn more about any of the topics below!
Who We Are
Our Mission
The core mission of the Office of Information Technology (IT) is to integrate technology in support of the University’s Mission Statement and to promote academic excellence by providing industry standard, up-to-date technology and services to faculty, staff and students.
The Team
The IT department is made up of three divisions headed by the Associate VP and CIO of Information Technology, Devon Taylor. The three divisions of IT are Network, Administrative Systems, and Support.
Getting Started at SU
Technology at SU
Shenandoah University has a unique 2:1 program for its students called the iMLearning Program. This initiative provides an Apple MacBook and iPad / Pencil for every incoming Freshman student. Many of our staff also use the Apple MacBook as their daily computer. If you are new to the Mac, someone from IT would be happy to sit down with you to give you some pointers to get started. Email the IT HelpDesk at helpdesk@su.edu for more info and to set up an appointment.
Your Equipment
The standard equipment provided is a 13" MacBook.
If you’re accustomed to working on Windows and are new to Mac, check out Mac Tips for Windows Switchers.
IT Essentials
Below you will find some of the key systems that are used by the university. Take some time to review these items and get familiar with their functions.
Gmail (SU Email)
Gmail is used for email at Shenandoah University. Within Gmail you have access to all the Google Apps (Calendar, Drive, Sites, etc…).
Check out the Gmail Training Center for more information. More training materials can be found at the G Suite Learning center.
Recommended learning:
Enroll in 2-Step Verification
Turn on Undo Send
Set-up your Signature
Archive Email
Create a Filter
Use Search Effectively
Google Drive
Google Drive is the main file storage system at Shenandoah University. This is where you should store your SU related files and this is where files will be shared with you.
Check out the Google Drive Training Center for more information
Recommended learning:
Install the Google Drive Application on your computer
Explore the Google Drive Web Interface
Google Calendar
Google Calendar is the main calendaring application here at the Shenandoah.
Check out the Google Calendar Training Center for more information
Recommended learning:
Create a Recurring Event
Use the “Find a Time” Feature
Add Video Conferencing to an Event
View a Coworker's Calendar
SU Website
The SU website is primarily used for attracting incoming students, but it is also a great spot to access online resources that you may use frequently.
Recommended learning:
Explore the “I Am A” Menu (It is a good One-Stop-Shop of links for you to use!)
Find the Departmental Forms Website
Navigate to the Directory
Check out the Maps section
Accounts and Passwords
You have several different accounts and passwords as an employee at the University. Your SUNet is the primary username and password you will use. HR will send you your initial SUNet and Google passwords via email.
SUNet
This is your main SU password. Your SUNet password is used for most logins including WiFi, Canvas, Datatel Colleague, etc… You are required to change it every 6 months. Your username is the first part of your email before the @ symbol.
Google Apps
This username and password is used to login to all things Google at SU. This includes your Email, Calendar, Drive (files), etc… Anytime you are logging into a Google Service, you must use your full SU Email Address.
Apple ID
If you are already in the Apple Ecosystem, SU recommends you use your own Apple ID to login to iCloud on your SU MacBook or iPad.
MacBook Password
Your MacBook password is created by you when you first setup your computer. It is unique to just that device and does not change.
Recommended password actions:
Register for the Password Reset Tool
Set-up Two Step Verification for your Google Account
Canvas
Canvas is the LMS (Learning Management System) used at the University. This is where students and faculty access their classes.
Canvas learning opportunities provided by SU's Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (TTL):
TTL's collection of Canvas resources.
TTL Workshops & Events Calendar.
Working From Home
If you plan on doing any work at home, you may need to have additional programs like a VPN on your machine. Applications like Colleague, Millenium, and OPReports require you to be on campus to access them. A VPN makes your computer look like you are on campus so that you can work in these programs while at home.
Recommended Actions
Install SU VPN
Install Google Drive Application on Your Laptop
Learning Resources
Google Help
Looking for more help getting started with Google? The GSuite learning center is a great place to start learning about Google Apps.
https://gsuite.google.com/learning-center/#!/
Canvas Help
General questions about Canvas functions: https://community.canvaslms.com/
Pharmacy faculty and staff should complete this form to request assistance.
Faculty and staff with login problems should contact the Help Desk.
Faculty not seeing their classes in Canvas should contact their school or departmental admin.
Faculty and staff who need technical support with Canvas functions should contact the Help Desk.
New to Mac?
Many new employees feel intimidated by the MacBook when they first start, but this usually fades within a week or two. If you are new to the Mac, please check out some of the info below for helpful information
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/toc
Glossary of terms
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used systems at SU. If you have any questions about these systems, please use the contact method found after each description.
Axiom Mentor
Axiom Mentor is a system used for submitting IRB proposals. Contact: Kim Pritchard at kpritch@su.edu | 540-545-7376 or Beth Rodgers at sucomply@su.edu | 540-665-4816
Canvas
Canvas is the University's Learning Management System (LMS). This is where students and faculty access their coursework. For technical support contact the Help Desk. For learning resources contact: ttl@su.edu
Classroom Technologies
Contact the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@su.edu or 540-665-5555. Non-urgent requests can be submitted through this site in the Services section.
Collegiate
Collegiate is an SU system that is used for student groups. This is mainly used by the division of student life. Contact: studentlife@su.edu
Colleague / Datatel / Ellucian
Ellucian Colleague is the Universities main ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. This is the system that houses all the information about faculty, students, employees, etc… Your supervisor will need to fill out the Colleague Account Request Form found on the IT Departmental Forms site in order for you to gain access. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Curriculog
Curriculog is the system that faculty use to submit new course requests and is managed by the SU Registrar. Contact: registrar@su.edu
eTrieve eForms
eTrieve is the SU electronic forms system. Electronic versions of many forms can be found on the SU Departmental Forms website. These forms can also be accessed from the eForms system itself. eTrieve uses your full SU Email address and SUNet Password. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Exxat
Exxat is a database system used by the health professions schools to track students in the clinical setting. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
GSuite / Google Apps / Gmail
Google Apps is used extensively at Shenandoah University. SU uses Google Apps for email, calendaring, file storage, and many other applications. Access to most Google services can be done through your SU Google Account. Contact IC Helpdesk: helpdesk@su.edu
Hornet Hub / Self Service
Hornet Hub is the frontend to Ellucian Colleague. This is where students go to register for classes, view class schedules, make payments etc… This is also where employees go to see their pay stubs, tax returns and perform other administrative functions. Student Contact: hornetcentral@su.edu.
iMLearning
The IMLearning program is the innovative 2:1 initiative here at SU. Every incoming freshman and students in participating graduate programs get a MacBook Air, iPad, and an Apple Pencil.
Contact: iml@su.edu
Instructional Technologies
The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning provides training for a variety of instructional technologies. Please visit: https://www.su.edu/ttl or email ttl@su.edu.
LiveSafe
LiveSafe is an app that is provided by our Public Safety Department that is used to report suspicious persons, request safe walks and much more.
Contact: safety@su.edu
Millennium
Millennium is a database used by the Advancement team for fundraising and alumni relations. Contact: Mark Turner - mturner@su.edu
Office 365
Office 365 is used solely for access to install Microsoft Office on non-SU owned devices. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
OP Reports
Short for Operational Reports, this service provides SU employees with raw institutional data. Depending on your role at the University you will have various levels of access to these reports. You must be on campus or connected via VPN to access. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Panopto
Panopto is used by various schools to record lectures for students to view at a later time. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu for technical support. Pharmacy faculty can contact Cheri Lambert.
Radius
Radius is the system used by Admissions to collect inquiries from potential students. It is the main point of contact for incoming students.
Contact: admit@su.edu
SoftDocs / Content
SoftDocs Content is Shenandoah’s document imaging / processing system. Depending on the department, this software is used in various ways.
Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Self Service
Self Service is the SU Mac App Store. This program is on all SU issued MacBooks and provides employees access to SU approved applications, printers and other services. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Safe Colleges
Safe Colleges hosts the mandatory HR training modules on HIPPA, FERPA, Sexual Harassment and other topics. Contact: benefits@su.edu
VTC
VTC is short for Video Teleconferencing. VTC is used by many programs to connect classrooms across our various locations (HPB-Loudoun-ICPH-MC). Used mostly by the Health Professions schools. Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
Weave
Weave is a reporting tool used by Institutional Research to collect institutional data. Contact: ir@su.edu
Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing tool used by many faculty to conduct virtual classes. It is also used by many employees to have video conference meetings.
Contact: helpdesk@su.edu
TutorTrac
TutorTrac is a software system used by students to match up with a tutor.
Contact: medney@su.edu
WEPA
WEPA (Wireless Everywhere, Print Anywhere) is the system that is provided to students for printing. WEPA kiosks are located around campus and allow students to print papers from anywhere on campus, and pick them up at the kiosk.
Contact: library@su.edu
We Are Here to Help!
Thank you for taking the time to go through this brief IT getting-started guide. Please don’t hesitate to contact IT or any of the departments listed above if you have any questions whatsoever. We are a supportive group here at SU and want you to succeed in your new position!
Welcome to the SU Family!