December 2008 Archives

From Information Technology Services

Microsoft has identified a new and serious security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. The "zero-day" vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to take over computers by simply directing them to infected websites. Users do not have to download anything for their computers to become infected. The vulnerability affects all versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer.

In order to help protect your computer, an update from Microsoft must be downloaded and installed. Users with the Windows Update feature activated on their computers will get the patch automatically. If you are not sure whether your computer is protected, or if you want assistance downloading the patch, please call the Technology Help Desk at 973-275-2222. Instructions for installing the patch are provided below. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

This is a reminder that beginning January 7th the campus will have a new campus portal (PirateNet) and a new student email system (Microsoft Live@EDU).

As part of this conversion, the campus is implementing a new login system based on Microsoft Active Directory (MS AD).

ON JANUARY 7TH, YOUR PASSWORD WILL BE RESET TO YOUR ORIGINAL (DEFAULT) PASSWORD.

For complete details regarding this change, please read the article "Four Things You Need To Know About the January 7th Technology Upgrade".

Stephen G. Landry, Ph.D.
CIO
Seton Hall University

This afternoon between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM the University's Internet Service Provider experienced a service interruption in our area. The problem was traced to a faulty cable, which was replaced. Internet service to the campus was restored at approximately 2:00 PM this afternoon.

Stephen G. Landry, Ph.D.
Chief Information Officer

From Information Technology Services

As previously announced, the University is planning to move from the current Lotus Notes email system to an email system based on Microsoft (MS) Exchange. This move is being planned for the Spring 2009 semester.

University IT Services held a series of open forums to discuss the current plans to move the campus to MS Exchange. Based on these forums, as well as the migration experiences of moving our own IT staff to MS Exchange, we have prepared a short survey for all employees to complete. The survey requires your basic contact information, and then lists six simple questions and a selection of answers to choose from.

The results of the survey will assist us with determining the best migration process for each person. We will categorize and tally the answers and develop a schedule based on the results. The schedule for the move to MS Exchange will be announced at the start of the Spring semester, along with additional information about training and preparing for the move.

Please take a few moments right now to complete the Employee e-Mail Migration Survey by clicking on the link http://tltc.shu.edu/projects/emailMigration/

If you have any questions about the survey please send an email to maroulge@shu.edu

Georgianna Maroulakos
Project Coordinator
University IT Services

From Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

Laura A. Wankel, Ed.D., Vice President
Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, New Jersey 07079-2684
Tel: 973-761-9075 Fax: 973-275-9797

At Seton Hall, one of our core community values is a recognition of the inherent dignity of each and every person. Unfortunately, not everyone shares our values. I am writing to you today to address the issue of the JuicyCampus website. As most of you know, JuicyCampus allows people to anonymously post comments about their institutions and their colleagues. Much of what is posted on the JuicyCampus website is hate speech and it is only worthy of condemnation.

As an institution, the University does not have any means at its disposal to realistically restrict access to the JuicyCampus website. However, that does not mean that we are powerless as a community.

First of all, I would ask all members of our community to avoid the website. The owners of the site make their money from advertising, and that source of revenue will soon dry up if no one is viewing their content. Second, keep in mind that this situation is an illustration of the tremendous power of speech. Words can hurt, but words can also heal. If you know of someone who has been hurt by something posted on the site, please reach out to them and let them know that you are there for them. Finally, if you think that a crime has been committed by the owners of the website (for example, by allowing the posting of personal contact information), please feel free to contact the office of the New Jersey Attorney General to file a complaint (http://www.state.nj.us/lps/).

Seton Hall has a mission to foster an environment of respect for all persons. This is part of why you chose to come here. This is a mission that requires that we all agree to do our part by living the values that we claim to hold. Thank you for all your efforts to strengthen our community by keeping Seton Hall a "home for the mind, the heart and the spirit."

From Office of the CIO

In the beginning of January 2009, all Seton Hall University students will be migrated from Webmail to a new, online e-mail system, Microsoft Exchange Labs. Simultaneously the University will launch its new portal, PirateNet, which will replace the Blackboard portal but continue to give you access to University systems like email, Blackboard, registration and other services .

As a student, you do not need to do anything to prepare for these new technologies. As a part of these changes all University community members' passwords to PirateNet will revert to the default password for all accounts, the first four letters of your last name in capital letters, the last four digits of your social security number, followed by the pound sign (e.g. JONE1234#). You will have the option to change this password after you login to PirateNet for the first time.

Also, when logging into your new email for the first time you will be required to to activate the account by providing information like your city, state, and answers to specific security challenge questions to identify you in the event you need a password reset by Microsoft. More details and instructions on what you need to do will be sent to you just before the migration in January.

For more information, a sneak peek at your new email and other services that you will have access to, see the article on the SHU Web site at http://www.shu.edu/news/article/116990

If you have questions or concerns please contact the Technology Help Desk at (973)275-2222 or helpdesk@shu.edu