The Human Resources and Payroll Departments will now be offering monthly PeopleSoft training for both Employee Self-Service and Manager Self-Service.  All employees (full and part-time) are encouraged to attend, with manager approval, the training session that best meets their schedule to obtain assistance with PeopleSoft HRMS.

At this time, there is no new information regarding PeopleSoft HRMS, these sessions are targeted to new employees and managers, and anyone else who might need a refresher.

The video of Operation Blue Star Bedlam is now available on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.  A big THANK YOU to B. Bagby and the Media Geeks for their hard work and dedication to making the video.

Food vendor hours beginning January 7th:

Java the Hutt:

• 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday
• 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday

Dominos:

• 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday
• 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday

Rock & Roll Diner:

• 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
• Located behind Humanities Building

Look for a new computer for the new year? Dell offers special pricing for Virginia Western.

Virginia Western Community College Students/Employees/Alumni can redeem this offer by visiting www.dell.com/vccs or by calling 1-800-695-8133 and mentioning Member ID US35226133.

As you may have noticed, The Media Geeks are continually making upgrades to the classrooms to keep the in the best possible condition to support instruction.  Last year (2012) we upgraded most of the projectors across campus to new projectors that are both brighter, and able to support true digital connectivity (like the native output of an iPad, or many new laptops).   This year, we begin the process of upgrading classroom control systems to connect digitally to these new projectors.  Once this project is completed, most of the classrooms on campus will be natively digital and ready to support the newest devices.   This means more device support and better video quality.

What does this mean to instructors?

What this means is that right now, you probably are using a classroom where the "on/off" control is a series of push buttons, and all the connections are analog.  This means you have to a special adaptor when you connect newer devices like Macbooks and iPads, but not on older laptops.  Sometimes this means you can't connect a new device at all to the projector.

You will know when your classroom has a new digital connection because the "on/off" buttons will be replaced by a touch screen, and you will have TWO different wired connections available to connect your own devices to the projector: one "old" 15-pin analog connection and a "new" HDMI connection.  Depending on the device you connect, you may still need an adaptor, but it's likely that you'll need the digital version of the adaptor.  The Media Geeks can help you figure out exactly what you need.

Why are you doing this?

There are a number of reasons we're doing this right now.  One is that most display manufacturers have agreed that by 2012 ALL analog 15 pin video connections (this is the connection used by most devices for the last 20 years) will be eliminated.  This is why you may have a TV or laptop that already doesn't have that connection anymore.   This is creating a challenge for us, as the analog and digital formats are not directly compatible.  We are already having instances where we haven't been able to support user's needs for connections because of this.   Also, the new controls (the touch panel) give us much more flexibility in the types of devices we can support, and how we can support them.  There is a lot of potential for "technology" behind that touch screen to help us understand how the classrooms are being used and improve the experience.  We want the technology in the classroom to be an extension of instruction, and we hope these new controls will help us grow in that area.

So, we ask for your patience and understanding over the next few months as we upgrade.  We expect some bumps in the road as we move forward.  We are among the early adopters of digital control (not bleeding edge, though), and that always comes with some additional challenges.  Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any questions, or if you'd like to see the equipment we are installing and learn more about it.   As always, call the Help Desk if you are in a classroom and need support.  The Media Geeks will respond immediately.

Thank you for your support in this.

B Bagby - Head Media Geek

Below are the Help Desk hours of operation for the week of January 1, 2013!

Wednesday, Jan. 2: noon to 6 p.m. (The Help Desk staff will attend in-service.)

Thursday, Jan. 3: 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 4: 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Our normal hours of operation will resume Monday, January 7, 2013.

Have you ever submitted a room or event request to the college's online calendar only to find out that you need to make changes to the location, dates or details? Don't worry because you don't have to delete the original submission and start over.

Or, do you have one event that will meet in multiple locations on different dates or times? You don't have to submit multiple requests for one event. In fact, it's better to have all of your meeting information under one request instead of multiple headings.

Contact Tara Nepper (tnepper@virginiawestern.edu) to make changes/additions to a previously submitted request.

ALSO - when submitting a request, be sure to add the resources you will need from Campus P0lice or Media Geeks. Check the box "I would like to request resources for my event." This will ensure that Campus Police will be notified to unlock rooms like the Natural Science Center or that the Media Geeks are aware of any technology needs.

Use the Maintenance Connection Work Order System to request items from FMS such as tables, chairs, etc. Additional tables may not be set up in hallways where a table is not currently set up. For more information on FMS set up practices, contact Hunter Wright (hwright@virginiawestern.edu).
If you are already signing into the college calendar with administrative settings and can make the corrections yourself, please continue to do so. This is for those who are submitting calendar requests through the open entry form without needing a login.