Tag: quote

Investigating the Federal Court’s PACER System: Collaboration Improves Access

Scales of JusticeThe Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center provides service-improvement consultations to state and federal public defense providers around the nation. Recently, the Deason Center collaborated with OIT to better utilize the federal courts’ Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. The Center needed to access and download several thousand records, as quickly and as efficiently as possible. So, they turned to OIT for help.

We had the opportunity to discuss the PACER project with Lane Duncan, Assistant Director of Integration Services in OIT, and learn about the success of this initiative.

Continue reading Investigating the Federal Court’s PACER System: Collaboration Improves Access

OIT Completes 100G Edge Router Project for R1

Last month, the OIT Networking Team completed the last installation of new equipment in the UDC and Patterson data centers as part of the 100G Edge Router Replacement Project. This project is one of the many building blocks being implemented to increase campus networking speeds specifically for research initiatives. In less than six months, the team oversaw a complete replacement of the core networking equipment to give SMU a tenfold increase in internal and external internet speed.

Dr. Michael Hites, SMU’s Chief Information Officer, shared his enthusiasm for the project Continue reading OIT Completes 100G Edge Router Project for R1

Internet of Things Devices & Data Visualization Provide Insight into Indoor Air Quality

An image of the portable device used to measure carbon dioxide in classrooms on campus.Multiple campus groups and Office of Information Technology (OIT) teams have collaborated on a multi-disciplinary initiative to better understand indoor air quality on The Hilltop.

After continued discussions in the Faculty Senate regarding classroom air quality and the spread of COVID-19, Physics department faculty member Dr. Thomas E. Coan approached OIT staff to work together on a method to capture environmental data within classrooms and visualize said data to make inferences on possible pathogen spread, power consumption, air quality, and their possible effects on student attention and success. Continue reading Internet of Things Devices & Data Visualization Provide Insight into Indoor Air Quality

Psychology Student Awarded SMU’s 3,000th Cert and Wins MOS3K Contest

In 2017, a student walked into my office and said, “I heard that you are Microsoft Certified, and my professor mentioned I can get certified in Excel. Do you know how I can do that?” I cringed when I heard that question again as I would recommend another interested party visit a neighboring  institution of learning that was offering the exams.

That conversation prompted me to collaborate with my colleagues in OIT Customer Service to make this program available here on campus. After a long whiteboarding session, discussing funding options and program ideas, we decided to launch a pilot program to test the waters and determine if there was strong enough interest on campus to make Microsoft Office Certifications (MOS) readily available. Little did I know then how quickly the program would take off.

On Friday, December 3, 2021, we hit a significant milestone when issuing our 3,000th certification to Elizabeth Bell. Elizabeth carries a major in Psychology with minors in Statistics, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Women and Gender Studies. As part of the 3,000th certification issued, Elizabeth was awarded our MOS3K Study Prize Pack, a perfect addition to getting her ready for final exams. Continue reading Psychology Student Awarded SMU’s 3,000th Cert and Wins MOS3K Contest

Cox Student Ranks 3rd in State for Microsoft Office Championship Qualifier

Megan WaldronDuring spring 2021, Megan Waldron enrolled in ITOM 2308 (Information Systems Management). She was one of 155 students tasked to complete the Excel Associate and Excel Expert certifications.

Before the exam, Megan registered to enter her exam score as part of the Texas state qualifier for the Microsoft Office U.S National Championship. To her surprise, Megan made a perfect score completing the 50-minute exam in just 31 minutes and ranked 3rd in Texas for her time and score.
Continue reading Cox Student Ranks 3rd in State for Microsoft Office Championship Qualifier