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Welcome: A Message from Timothy O'Rourke, Vice President of Computer and Information Services

June 3, 2005

I would like to take this opportunity to update the Temple community on several large-scale initiatives.

TUid and OWLcard Take Center Stage
We are now in the final stretch of eliminating the use of Social Security Numbers as a primary means of identification at Temple. This project has taken over a year of planning, as it affects systems and operations throughout the University. As I mentioned in my previous message, we have assigned a unique nine-digit number, called a TUid, to each student, faculty, and staff member. Now, we are preparing to distribute new Temple ID cards, called the OWLcard. The OWLcard will be programmed to reference your TUid instead of your Social Security number.

Faculty and staff will receive their new cards in June from their individual departments. Students will be able to pick up their new OWLcards starting June 15 from the Diamond Dollars Office, 1910 Liacouras Walk, Room 202 on Main Campus. For other campus locations, see the OWLcard Distribution link on the ssn2tuid.temple.edu Web site. A large student distribution event is also slated for the Fall. For more information about the TUid and OWLcard, please see the FAQs link on the ssn2tuid Web site.

Mark your calendars for July 5, since this is the day that all new OWLcards are scheduled for activation. On July 5, current Temple ID cards will no longer work for access privileges and Diamond Dollars so you must begin using your new OWLcard. We recommended, however, that everyone carry both their old ID card and new OWLcard on July 5th in the unlikely event that the conversion needs to be postponed.

In preparation for the transition from SSN to TUid, it is also important that all University departments review the two Social Security policies available on our ssn2TUid Web site. Departments should then verify that all forms and procedures reflect the new policies to protect personal information by eliminating the use of Social Security numbers as required.

Your Role in Protecting Your Privacy
While we are on the topic of privacy, I can’t stress enough how important it is to safeguard your AccessNet password. This password is a critical key to your personal information on Temple’s systems. While Computer Services is doing all we can to protect your information, you have a responsibility as well to make sure you do not share your password with anyone and, just as important, change your password on a regular basis.

Changing your password is a straightforward process. Create a password that you can remember but make it so it’s not easy for others to guess. For example, you can base it on the initials of a song or a book title and then add some random numbers. Characters such as # ? . and " are also acceptable. When you are ready to change your password, go to the following Web site:

http://accounts.temple.edu/password/

The process is quick and easy and well worth the effort to protect your privacy.

Focus on TECH Center Feature
Construction is underway on the TECH Center, Temple’s exciting new state-of-the-art learning center featuring the latest technology. As mentioned in my previous memos, we are designing the TECH Center as a place where students can collaborate together on projects and work as learning teams.

One new collaborative feature of the TECH Center will be the student breakout rooms. In total, there will be 13 breakout rooms, three on the first floor and 10 on the second floor. The breakout rooms will be small meeting spaces for 6 to 8 students. Each room will be equipped with a computer, a large wall-mounted flat-panel display, and a white board.  Students will be able to reserve the rooms to work together on projects, practice presentations, and study together. Desktop ports will also allow students to bring their own laptops and plug them into the display system.

The breakout room is just one innovation planned for the TECH Center. I will feature other details in my upcoming messages as construction on the site continues.

In closing, I would like to extend congratulations and best wishes to the graduating class of 2005. Please keep your connection with Temple open through your TUmail account, which you can retain at no charge for one year after graduation. To participate in this program, watch for an e-mail message notifying you that your e-mail account will be closed. Simply follow the instructions in the message to go to the Alumni Web site and sign up for another year of TUmail.

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