ECU Information Technology and Computing Services

Available January 6, Degree Works has been upgraded to a new responsive dashboard and feature updates for both students and advisors. To learn more, visit the ITCS news page https://itcs.ecu.edu/news

The IT Service Desk is open 7:30 to 5:00 Thursday, December 15 – Thursday, December 22 (closed Saturday/Sunday) and CLOSED Friday, December 23 – Monday, January 2, 2023. Normal hours resume Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Pirate Techs Technology Support Centers are observing the following schedule during Winter Break:
• Saturday, December 17 – Sunday, December 18: MCSC closed
• Monday, December 19 – Thursday, December 22: MCSC closed, other offices observing normal hours
• Friday, December 23 – Monday, January 2, 2023: All offices closed
• Tuesday, January 3 – Friday, January 6: MCSC closed, other offices observing normal hours

Close Fall 2022 strong and start Spring 2023 off on the right foot by reviewing the Canvas Semester Essentials guide. https://canvas.ecu.edu/full/semester-essentials/
Plus read tips on touring your spring 2023 classes with students: https://itcs.ecu.edu/teaching-learning/learning-tech-december-2022/

Hey, students! Financial aid and award information now in Pirate Port! Log in and click the Financial Aid card. Easy, simple, fast, convenient. See the ITCS news blog at https://itcs.ecu.edu/news for more information.

We are all aware of how to manage phishing email, but spam messages are tricky – most are marketing solicitations and not malicious. Some may even be interesting or useful. But do you find yourself spending precious, productive energy managing your inbox or do you just ignore the whole mess until it’s an obnoxious monster? If you’d like a better way, see our Wednesday news post.
https://itcs.ecu.edu/communication/dominate-inbox-spam/

Whether you’ve been using Microsoft Teams for awhile or just getting started, check out these best practices for chat and messaging.
https://ecu.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1409/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=67593

Apple users: don't upgrade to Ventura just yet - new macOS upgrade not compatible with ECU apps.

Due to conflicts with several required ECU applications, please DO NOT upgrade your ECU-owned Apple computer at this time. We'll announce when all relevant applications have been tested for functionality, and it's safe to upgrade.

In the meantime, please DO install the updates available for your current OS by clicking the "More info…" link underneath the macOS Ventura section in the Software Update dialog box.

Streamline event registrations, requisitions and other paper processes using Formstack, a secure, browser-based, workflow automation tool. Visit this ITCS news post to learn more: https://itcs.ecu.edu/business/formstack-automates-your-paper-process/

See other users’ questions (plus the answers) and get the scoop on benefits, features and best practices in this OneDrive cloud storage FAQ for students, faculty and staff.
Just getting started with OneDrive or want to try a new feature? No worries – there are sections on set up, sharing and collaboration, syncing, mobile and using Office online plus links to video training from Microsoft.
https://ecu.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1409/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=67665

Week 4 of the 2022 Cybersecurity Awareness month is all about cloud security. Information is no longer kept in locked file cabinets or even on your computer! Platforms and apps you access now store data remotely, and therefore, have particular security needs. See today's news post for tips on cloud computing safety, https://itcs.ecu.edu/security-compliance/secure-cloud-computing/

Do you ever struggle to create a unique, secure passphrase? It's no problem if you use this method--

Create a Secure ECU Passphrase Use this method to create a unique, secure passphrase for your ECU accounts.

Protect yourself from identity theft! This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme, “See Yourself in Cyber,” focuses on an individual’s smart decisions to keep safe and secure online. Today’s news post provides six tips to help you avoid identity theft. Visit our home page at https://itcs.ecu.edu