Effort Reporting System

The Effort Reporting System (ERS) was implemented. ERS is a web-based system from MAXIMUS that enhances Temple’s ability to comply with the complex federal regulations surrounding sponsored research and effort commitments. ERS not only assists with compliance, but also replaced a paper-based, manual system which helped to make the effort reporting process more efficient. Customized functionality was added to generate labor cost adjustments in ERS that interface to the GL (General Ledger) in FMS (Financial Management System).

fsaAtlas Installation

The first major Project Enterprise milestone, fsaAtlas, was implemented. This system is used by the Office of International Services to manage international student and employee information and to report official information to the government system SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

Release of E-Grading

Completed the development of the Electronic Grading (E-Grading) System which includes the following modules:

• Electronic Grading Administration: Used by Academic Records, this component provides for the setting of start and end dates for the grading period by individual schools and colleges; the assignment of Deans/Deans’ designees and Electronic Grading Liaisons for each school and college; the posting of broadcast messages to instructors, deans, and grading liaisons; the ability to monitor progress by retrieving data by school/college, instructor, and grade list status such as "not graded" and "graded but not submitted."
• Instructor Module: Used by instructors, this component displays the appropriate sections and students to be graded and provides drop-down boxes for entering final grades, including a grade of Incomplete and its associated default grade. A Submit button is displayed only after all students in the section have been graded. A printer-friendly grade list option is presented as well.
• Deans Module: Deans and their designees can grade students or submit graded and approved sections for instructors who cannot or fail to grade their sections themselves. This module also provides the ability to easily retrieve a grade list by instructor name or department and to monitor grading progress using various selection criteria.
• Electronic Grading Liaison Module: Intended for use by identified college administrators to monitor the progress of grading in a timely fashion, this module is similar to the Deans Module except that updating of grades is not permitted.

Darwin

Darwin, an ERP Transition Plan project, was implemented. Initially, the advisor portion of Darwin has been implemented with the Student portion scheduled to go live in the summer. Darwin offers:

• State-of-the art technology
• A new web-based, graphical user interface for degree auditing and new options for both students and staff
• Capability for Provost Office's staff to enter degree audit rules in a user-friendly environment
• The foundation for a smooth transition to Banner with the newly established infrastructure and interfaces

Payroll/Employee Self Service Enhancements

• Extend Availability of ESS: Completed the necessary system changes to extend the hours of ESS (Employee Self Service) to allow employees to view their pay stubs. This included extensive schedule changes associated with existing applications and processes, and the creation of a new HRS CICS (Customer Information Control System) online region. An additional benefit resulting from this enhancement was the extension of the HRS online hours.
• Leave Request via ESS: Completed a new Employee Self Service feature which allows employees to electronically submit a leave request to the Human Resource Department. This process replaces a paper-driven system which required manual notification to employees and supervisors. The new system generates e-mail notifications to those involved in the process.
• E-mail Payroll Notification: Completed the process to support the generation of e-mails notifying employees they have been paid an advice. This e-mail directs the employee to view their stub in ESS, thus eliminating the need to print paper advices.
• Paycard Program: Assisted the Payroll Management department with the implementation of a Paycard solution. This process replaces paper checks with a payroll debit card. Requirements included the creation of an enrollment file from HRS to the vendor; the ability to download vendor employee account information; and the ability to upload the HRS Payment disposition screen.

Automated Human Resources Workflows

• Terminations: Automated the termination of employees in HRS based on departmental submission of the Ultimus "Separation from Employment" form.
• Student Hiring: Completed the development of the HRS Student Data Upload Website. When a student worker is hired into a requisition in iGreentree, the associated data flows into the HRS Student Data Upload Website. HR then uses this new website application to add additional required payroll data to record. When HR is finished adding required data, the record is uploaded nightly to HRS. The nightly upload establishes a new record in HRS for new hires or updates an existing record for re-hires.
• Faculty Hiring: Completed this new electronic application that streamlines the hiring of faculty at the University. The data gathered from the Ultimus Faculty Letter system and HRS Faculty Upload System is now combined and uploaded into the HR system.

Expansion of Exchange E-mail

Microsoft Exchange 2003 was expanded to include more than 500 user accounts from more than 25 departments. A BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) was also deployed. Planning is underway for an upgrade to Exchange 2007 and, subsequently, a migration of all staff and faculty e-mail.

TECH Center Enhancements

• The TECH Center was enhanced to include three recording booths for students to use in addition to the video editing and music labs.
• A new teaching facility, room 109, was opened in the faculty wing. Also, web and video conferencing are being installed in the faculty breakout room and demonstration room 111.

Lab Implementation Plan

Implemented phase 5 of the five year lab plan. In accordance with the plan, the Tuttleman Scholars Information Center was refurbished with new carpeting and paint. Three multimedia breakout rooms were added, 100 computers were replaced, and the facility was expanded by 16 additional workstations.

Blackboard Upgrades

Blackboard underwent a major upgrade from revision level 6 to level 7 during summer 2007. In addition to software, new hardware was purchased and attached to the existing SAN. Beta testing had been conducted during the spring 2007 semester and, after the move to the new infrastructure, performance testing was successful.

The upgrade to Blackboard 7 added new features such as multi-language support, additional assessment question types and online assessment enhancements, and adaptive content release.

Blackboard was upgraded at the beginning of the Summer 2008 session (June 2008) to version 8.02. This will enable Computer Services to install the Content and Learning Outcomes modules.

MIR3 Emergency Notification Application

Implemented a university-wide emergency notification system. This system will communicate actions needed in the event of an emergency to all students and employees. To expedite notification, we use e-mail, phone, and text messaging simultaneously to ensure prompt delivery of emergency information.

To implement this system, froms were programmed to allow students and employees to register and update their emergency notification information. In addition, a program was also written to transfer updated information to the service provider daily.

A Command Center was also set up in the Bell Building. This room was outfitted with PCs and monitors which will be used in the event of an emergency. Senior officers of the university will use this space to work and readily get access to the resources that they need to coordinate efforts on campus.

New University Web Site

Built and launched the new main University web site and set up a site for the Office of Communications to have editorial access. Also designed a feedback form for the new site.

Continued Implementation of Web Applications

Web sites and online surveys were created and launched for the Sustainability Committee, Middle States Working Group, and Community Activities Work Group. Other major web projects for the year included:

• PA Scope operations
• University annual student survey converted to online format
• Citrix branding
• Admissions: admitted student reception RSVP
• Inventory systems: Smart classroom and International Programs
• Remedy system operations
• Student teaching placements
• TUportal design
• Lab authentication
• Dorm Ethernet utility enhancements
• Elections: Faculty Senate, Grad Board, Homecoming, and Temple Student Government
• Flash animation: Gen Ed and Admissions
• Web sites: School of Medicine, Dean of Students, Honors Program, Multicultural affairs, Career Center, and College of Science and Technology, Student Activities, University Secretary/Legal Counsel: Public Information, Budget Office, School of Communications and Theater (Main School site and individual department sites), TUsecure, Commencement ticketing, and Gen Ed

Duplex Printing in Labs

Duplex printing was configured and launched in the TECH Center as part of the University’s sustainability initiative. The goal is to roll out duplex printing to the rest of the computer labs during the next fiscal year.

Introduction of Ruckus

Ruckus, an online music service, was made available to the Temple community.

Installation of Xerox Multifunctional Units

Computer Services, in conjunction with Xerox and the Purchasing Department, replaced older printer models throughout the University with new multifunctional units. The units allow faxing as well as making copies and printing documents, all from the desktop.

Rollout of TUsecure

TUsecure is a Computer Services initiative to provide everyone in the University with a single username and password for most systems. As part of the TUsecure initiative, the AccessNet account creation process (accounts.temple.edu) was completely overhauled so that applicants, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and courtesy accounts can go to a single application for their account maintenance.

The TUsecure initiative won the Information Security Executive (ISE) Mid-Atlantic Awards 2008 Project of the Year in the Government/Academic category. The Information Security Project of the Year Award "focuses on a project completed in the past 12-18 months that significantly impacted an organization's risk management or information security posture."

Smart Classroom Implementation Plan

Completed phase 5 of the five year Smart Classroom Plan. Smart classrooms include built-in multimedia, Internet, and computing capabilities. Sixteen standard classrooms were converted in Anderson, Engineering, Pearson, Ritter Annex, and Weiss Halls for a total of 300 smart classrooms.

• Installed Meeting Manager, a system that alerts when there are issues with the equipment such as bulb burnouts. This system also allows remote access to technology in smart classrooms; in BB 100, 102, 108; RH 100 and 101; and CW 3B.
• Upgraded projectors; purchased, imaged, and installed new PCs; imaged and installed new touch-panel controls; and added security in lecture halls BA 130 and 140.
• Relocated the Speakman depot and staff from room LL3 to LL28 to make room for renovated School of Business technical support area.
• PCs in all smart classrooms maintained by Computer Services were upgraded to Office 2007.
• Developed and implemented a Room and Building Tracker application for getting classroom scheduling information directly from ISIS. This prevents data entry errors and saves a tremendous amount of time for the Classroom Technology group.

WAN Service Upgrade

Began the migration to a new wide area network (WAN)--EVPL (Ethernet virtual private line)--that is serving the academic campuses. To date, Telecommunications has migrated the Ambler Campus, Temple University Center City, Tyler Campus, College of Podiatric Medicine, Main Campus, and 401 and 425 Commerce Drive over to the new WAN. The new WAN provides alternate paths for improved redundancy and more than doubles the bandwidth on each campus.

New Applications for the Network

Temple’s enterprise network continues to be the transport for new applications. This past year, 37 new Ethernet drops were installed for the Diamond Dollars “Micros” application, 23 Smart Classrooms were added, the rooftop video surveillance cameras were moved over to Ethernet, and Ethernet drops were installed in the operating rooms of TUH and its affiliated hospitals.

Wireless and Cellular Technology

Access and mobility to data are major requirements for our academic, administrative, and student customers. This past year, we started upgrading our wireless network and are now implementing 802.11n hardware. This platform increases the speed as well as the number of users able to use one access point. Wireless users are now working on the new Meru 802.11n platform at the following locations: Beasley School of Law, Barrack Hall, TECH Center, Liacouras Center, and Fox School of Business.

In conjunction with Verizon Wireless, a new cellular site has been installed on the rooftop of Wachman Hall. This cell site has greatly improved the wireless coverage on the Main Campus. During the 2008 fall semester, a new “stealth tree cell site” will be installed on the sporting field side of the Ambler Campus. This will provide coverage to both the campus and the surrounding neighborhood. The Athletic department will be using cellular service to provide video streaming for athletic events held on the Ambler Campus.

Cable Installation

Coordinated the installation of Comcast Cable in the Medical Office Building, Faculty Student Union Building, Wachman Hall, Old Dental School, and Kresge Hall.

Video Conferencing Upgrades

The video conferencing systems on the Harrisburg Campus, 425 Commerce Drive, and the Ambler Learning Center were upgraded to provide connectivity over both ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and IP (Internet Protocol).

Relocation of Departments

Numerous departments relocated on Main Campus and HSC Campus. For each of these moves, the Office of Telecommunicartions was responsible for installing voice/data cabling, activating phone service, and placing phones. In some cases, installing the WAN (wide area network) transport and hardware was also necessary.

The following departments on Main Campus relocated: Office of Policy and Planning Analysis, Measurement and Research Center, University Counsel, University Secretary, Tuttleman Counseling Center, Office of Academic Advising, Office of Risk Management, Office of Institutional Advancement, Office of the Provost, Office of the Executive Vice President, Alumni Affairs, General Education Department, Sr. V.P. for Financial Affairs, and V.P. for International Affairs.

The following departments on HSC Campus relocated: Pulmonary Function, Lung Center, Kidney Transplant, Nephrology, Family Medical Center, Cardiology, Rheumatology, billing department, and the Health System.

In addition, the Practice Plan’s WIC Center closed and a new Center City Medical Office opened on 17th Street.

Network Upgrade Project

Work continued on the 36-month network upgrade project. The primary goal of this project is to have a network that is robust, resilient, and redundant with no single point of failure. When the project is completed, every piece of networking hardware on all campuses will have been replaced.

New building distribution hardware was installed at the following locations: 1700 N. Broad St., 1300 Cecil B. Moore Blvd., 1900-08 Liacouras Walk, 1938 and 1940 Liacouras Walk, 1009 W. Montgomery Ave., Anderson Hall, Barrack Hall, Barton Hall, Beury Hall, Bio-Life, College of Engineering, Conwell Hall, ECEC, Johnson-Hardwick, Kardon Bldg., Klein Hall, Mitten Hall, Paley Library, Pearson Hall, Presser, Rock Hall, Student Center, Temple Towers (East and West), USB, Weiss Hall, White Hall (East and West), FSUB, Jones Hall, Medical Office Building, New Dental School, Podiatric Residence Hall, Ambler Library, and Ambler East and West Halls.

Core hardware was replaced in the following switchrooms: Ritter Annex, Tuttleman Learning Center, Allied Health Building, Bright Hall (Ambler Campus), College of Podiatric Medicine, 401/425 Commerce Drive, TUCC, and Tyler Campus.

In addition, redundancy of major systems was improved by using the Bell and Conwell Hall switchrooms. The following was accomplished: upgraded the main DNS; installed a new Verizon 200Mbps connection in Conwell Hall; upgraded the Cogent internet bandwidth to 400Mbps; installed a new Packeteer and ISS Proventia in Conwell Hall; separated the Nortel firewall between Conwell Hall and the Bell Building; and upgraded the CheckPoint SmartCenter.

Finally, a new F5 (load balancer) was implemented for the ERP project and a new Citrix SSL-VPN for administrative remote access was brought on.

Emergency Phones

Temple University had installed 92 outdoor solar/cellular Code Blue emergency phones on the Main, HSC, Tyler, and Ambler campuses. In late 2006, the FCC gave approval for all cellular carriers to eliminate their analog service in February 2008. All the outdoor phones, therefore, had to be changed to digital service or hardwired for power and landline dialtone. The reliability was much higher for the hardwired design. In November 2007, electrical contractors started installing the conduits and cabling to carry hardwired power and landline dialtone to the 92 phones. The project was completed within budget and seven days before the Verizon analog network went offline.