From the CIO

VCU Technology Services

June 2024 CIO Update

by Alex Henson

Happy Fiscal Year End! First, thank you to all of the Technology Services staff working diligently and often outside of normal business hours (even more than usual) to make sure the current fiscal year closes and the new one starts with no issues. This is extremely important to our partners across VCU and is crtitical to supporting VCU’s business processes. I would also like to send a special thanks to all of our team members who continue to work tirelessly to bring our new Technology Operations Center on-line. This has and continues to be an extremely large and complex project involving multiple teams and tight deadlines. People who work outside of higher ed often think summer is down-time for the IT team, when really it’s a time where we get a bunch of things done that can’t be done during the Fall and Spring semesters. So thanks also to the teams doing that important work (and that really covers everyone in Technology Services). With that, following I would like to feature two exciting projects that have just completed.

Campus Maps

Navigating campus just got easier!  VCU’s new interactive campus map, available at https://maps.vcu.edu, offers a host of new features designed to make getting around easier.

Let’s dive into what makes it special:

  1. 3D Building Views: Explore our campus in three dimensions! From the iconic Monroe Park to the bustling MCV Campus, you can virtually walk by buildings and get a feel for their layout and design.
  2. Wayfinding Made Simple: The map provides turn-by-turn directions to any location on campus. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or visitor, finding your way is a breeze.
  3. Special Featurese:
    • Bus Routes: Quickly locate bus stops and routes for seamless transportation.
    • EV Parking: Identify EV charging stations effortlessly.
    • Student Move-In: New students, rejoice! The map highlights move-in spots during orientation.
  4. Coming Soon:
    • Custom Print Maps: Need a hard copy? Print personalized maps with your preferred locations and directions. 
    • Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about road closures and construction areas, ensuring a smooth journey.

Maps.vcu.edu isn’t just for newcomers—it’s a valuable resource for everyone. Whether you’re attending events, exploring campus, or planning your daily commute, VCU’s interactive map has you covered.

Got questions or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected]. 

VCU Alert Text Messaging – Opt-out Project

Since 2006, VCU has been providing emergency notification services to the campus and surrounding community. These services include sending timely safety and informational messages to VCU students, faculty, staff, parents, and the surrounding Richmond community. This month, VCU transitioned VCU Alerts to an opt-out subscription model. This was done to better align emergency messaging between VCU and the VCU Health system (which also moved to opt-out) as well as to make sure everyone is receiving emergency information on a timely basis.

The project aimed to automate the enrollment process for VCU Alerts, eliminating the extra step of having to manually subscribe to receive emergency communications. This effort involved collaboration across multiple departments within VCU Technology Services, including Desktop Services, Web Services, Administrative Systems, and the Information Security Office. External partners, such as VCU Police, Enterprise Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, Admissions, Student Success, and the Office of the VP for Administration, also were relied on for their expertise. 

Currently, the text messaging service has over 43,000 subscribers. However, text messaging is just one component of a comprehensive multichannel system for communicating emergency information. This system includes various channels:

  • Emergency Sirens 
  • Alertus Beacon boxes 
  • Mass email
  • Digital signs 
  • Desktop alerts
  • LiveSafe
  • VCU Mobile app
  • Social media channels
  • VCU Alert website

While all members of the VCU community are automatically enrolled in VCU Alerts for text messages, they have the option to opt out if desired. Parents of students as well as VCU neighbors and community members can still subscribe to the messaging service as before. 

Thanks to all in Technology services and in the VCU IT community for their hard work as we prepare for a new academic year!

Alex

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