Browsing Better Opportunities: DoIT Leads Efforts to Keep Southern Connected

In a changing society, technology has grown to become heavily relied upon. Southern University is doing its part to ensure that its students are benefitting from it.
This school year marked a shift in the way students experienced matriculating through college.
New networks, software programs, and mobile apps have been implemented throughout the Southern University system to try to make life easier for students, with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) leading the way.
Throughout the month of October, several housing and classroom buildings on campus have been cited by students as having unsatisfactory wireless network connection. Some of those buildings were brought to the attention of DoIT, and a quick response was given, stating that work is in progress on fixing those issues.
Associate Vice President for Information Technology (IT) & Chief Information Officer, Dr. Gabriel Fagbeyiro, gave an update on the Department of Information Technology during the 2017 Technology Summit, held October 18 in the Smith-Brown Student Union.
“Currently, the Southern University [system] operates in silence,” he stated. “Southern University-New Orleans doesn’t talk to Southern University-Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is not talking to Southern University-Shreveport. Baton Rouge doesn’t even talk to the Southern University Law Center.”
The solution Fagbeyiro has in place is to consolidate all IT operations across the Southern University System. “Even though we’ll be physically divided, we’ll be virtually united.”
There are three separate Banner and Moodle services for the Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans campuses, meaning multiple bills are being paid for the same service. The consolidation efforts would reduce the costs associated from paying three accounts at once, while increasing efficiency and eliminating barriers.
“We transitioned to Moodle about a year ago from Blackboard. We were able to save about $330,000 in licenses just between [the Baton Rouge and New Orleans] campuses. In saying that, we could save even more if we were not running three separate instances.”
Telephone systems are also being united, with the goal of being able to communicate across the system by only dialing an extension.
Several mobile apps are available for download to students who possess smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices.
‘JagQ’, a mobile app that virtually puts you in line without having to be in the office, became available August 2016. The service was designed to get students meeting with academic affairs and financial aid serviced faster.
The ‘JagsSafe’ app provides communication from the Southern University Police Department.
After providing some information, students can request escorts when walking by themselves at night, or provide tips to aid police investigations.
Freshman political science major, Regina Allen, also highly recommends the ‘MySUBR’ mobile app. “I find it to be very useful because it shows your class schedule and a map of campus.”
October also saw the Office of Academic Affairs launch a 24-hour hotline, giving students a way to express concerns regarding classes, instructors, and/or facilities.
Any SU student, staff, or faculty member in search of IT assistance can visit the DoIT HelpDesk, located in Room 222 of J.B. Moore Hall weekdays from 8am-5pm, or call 225-771-HELP (4357)
“If we do the things we say we are going to do, and do it well,” says Fagbeyiro, “This system can actually operate more than a million dollars less than what we are doing today.”