This spring, Information Technology shared an update with the University Assembly focused on how IT is supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 mission through reliability, security, and thoughtful innovation. While technology continues to evolve quickly, our approach remains steady: strengthen the foundation, protect institutional data, and adopt new tools responsibly鈥攁lways with faculty, staff, and students at the center.

Strengthening Core Systems and Campus Infrastructure

Over the past year, IT has made significant progress modernizing campus technology. Hundreds of network switches have been replaced across academic, residential, and administrative buildings, improving speed, reliability, and security. Core academic systems and teaching technologies continue to be enhanced, including improvements to Blackboard integrations and new grade export features planned for Fall 2026. Behind the scenes, legacy systems such as Banner are moving into secure archive mode to preserve historical data while reducing complexity.

A Campus鈥慦ide Commitment to Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity remains one of our highest priorities. The university is now approaching 90% cybersecurity compliance, supported by more reliable authentication, stronger network protections, and improved account management for new hires and departures. Later this year, faculty and staff will begin transitioning to phishing鈥憆esistant authentication methods鈥攕uch as passkeys or hardware security keys鈥攚hich will make logging in both easier and more secure. These changes are designed to reduce disruptions while better protecting research data and personal information.

Advancing AI鈥擳houghtfully and Responsibly

Artificial intelligence continues to generate interest and questions across campus. Rather than adopting AI everywhere at once, the university is taking a measured approach. An AI Council has been formed to advise university leadership on governance, policy, risk, and responsible use. By the end of the academic year, the council will deliver draft guiding principles and an acceptable use policy to ensure AI enhances our work while protecting privacy, equity, and academic integrity.

Looking Ahead

As we move through 2026, IT鈥檚 focus will remain on reliability, security, and impact. From modernizing infrastructure to supporting research computing and improving campus safety systems, these efforts are designed to improve the day鈥憈o鈥慸ay experience for faculty and staff while positioning the university for the future.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we build a more secure, connected, and innovative campus together.

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Why the Change?

You might be wondering, “What was wrong with the old stripe?”  While magnetic stripes served the university well for decades, they belong to an era of lower digital risk. In today’s environment, they are easily duplicated and offer minimal data protection.

The new Smart Cards represent a significant leap forward in three key areas:

1. Enhanced Security: Your card now uses encryption (the same kind of tech in modern credit cards), making it nearly impossible to clone or forge.
2. Better Durability: You no longer need to worry about magnetic interference from personal items rendering your card inactive and preventing access to offices or classrooms. 
3. One Card, Many Doors: This new technology is being integrated across campus鈥攆rom the library and dining services to external door access and the bookstore.

Where Can You Use It?

The goal of this project was to make your Campus Card the master key for your university life. You can currently use your Smart Card for:

• Dining & Meals: Accessing your meal plan through Sodexo.
• Library Services: Checking out books and using the Pharos printing system.
• Financial Aid: Purchasing supplies at Barnes & Noble.
• Door Access: Securely entering residence halls and the Windgate Center.
• Parking: Streamlining your entry and exit at campus lots.

Haven’t Upgraded Yet?

While the transition has been a resounding success, we want to ensure no member of our faculty or staff is left behind. If you are still carrying an older magnetic stripe card, it is time for an upgrade.

IT Services and Student Affairs are working together to ensure the re鈥慶arding process goes as efficiently and seamlessly as possible. Check your email for instructions on where to go to get your new, secure Smart Card.

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If you鈥檝e noticed the IT Services Network Team moving gear into your building鈥檚 data closets lately, you鈥檙e seeing the Edge Switch Replacement Project in action.

We are replacing the aging hardware that connects your computers, printers, and Wi-Fi access points to the campus network. Think of it like upgrading an old, narrow plumbing system with brand-new, high-capacity pipes鈥攅verything just flows better. Once installed, digital traffic flows faster and more reliably across the entire university.

Why This Matters to You

While most of this work happens behind the scenes, the benefits are central to your daily operations. This initiative provides:

• Greater Reliability: Newer hardware means fewer unexpected outages.
• Enhanced Security: Maintaining and strengthening campus-wide port security to keep data safe.
• Modern Speed: Designed to handle the high-bandwidth needs of a modern university.

Where We Are Now

We have successfully completed the foundational phase of the project鈥攐rdering, receiving, and pre-configuring hundreds of pieces of hardware. We  are now in the most critical stage: Campus-wide Installation.

Project Timeline: Started: May 1, 2025

• Current Status: Installation is active across 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock buildings. Over 60% of the buildings have been upgraded
• Target Completion: August 1, 2026

What to Expect

As we move building-by-building, there may be brief windows of network downtime while the old hardware is physically swapped for the new. To minimize the impact on your work and ensure a seamless transition, IT Services has implemented the following protocols: 

• Advanced Notice: IT Services will send specific communications to building occupants prior to their scheduled upgrade.聽
• Strategic Scheduling: To avoid disrupting instruction or administrative tasks, most work is performed after hours.聽
• Quality Assurance: Following every swap, the Networks team performs a “User Acceptance Test” to verify that all systems are fully operational before moving to the next location.聽

If you experience any persistent connectivity issues following an upgrade in your building, please contact IT Services.

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What is a Passkey?

The digital landscape is changing, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is staying ahead of the curve. To provide a more secure and seamless experience for our faculty and staff, Information Technology Services is transitioning the campus toward Passkey, the modern replacement for traditional passwords. 

Think of a Passkey as a digital key stored securely on your device. Instead of typing a long password, you simply use your device鈥檚 biometric (like a fingerprint or face scan) or a physical YubiKey to prove it鈥檚 you. It鈥檚 faster, easier, and鈥攎ost importantly鈥攙irtually impossible for hackers to steal.

Setting the Standard: IT Services Leads the Way 

While the 糖心Vlog传媒 System Office set a deadline of July 2026 for all IT departments to transition to this new standard, our local IT team decided to lead by example.

We are proud to announce that our department completed its full cutover to Passkeys in mid-April, well ahead of schedule. This “practice what we preach” approach allowed us to refine the process and ensure the system is a rock-solid experience for the rest of campus.

You鈥檙e in Good Company

Even though the mandatory rollout for faculty and staff isn’t until the end of this year (stretching into May 2027), many of your colleagues are already making the switch. 

• 80+ ITS Staff are now using Passkeys for every login.
• 200+ non-IT Faculty and Staff have already voluntarily made the switch to protect their own accounts from increased hacking attempts.

Why Should You Switch Now?

You don’t have to wait for the deadline! Because of the rise in sophisticated phishing attacks, we are encouraging early adoption.

• Phishing-Proof: Even if you accidentally click a malicious link, your credentials remain safe.
• Frictionless Login: Eliminate the need to type complex passwords or wait for text-message verification codes. 
• Zero Trust Security: This move is part of a broader strategy to make 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock one of the most secure campuses in the region.

Ready to Upgrade?

If you want to join the 200+ early adopters and secure your account today, contact IT Services for assistance in activating your passkey. Keep an eye out for upcoming training sessions and user guides as we move toward our full campus-wide launch in 2027!

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The portal continues to be your primary destination for IT support, application access, and ticket tracking. Whether you are submitting an Incident to fix a technical issue or requesting a new service, the portal keeps you connected with real-time updates.

What’s New: Expanded Knowledge and Streamlined Purchasing

The renovation  is designed to elevate your user experience. The renovated portal will feature enhanced options to seamlessly search for solutions within our IT Knowledge Base, empowering you to find answers and resolve basic issues quickly.

Additionally, we are introducing a streamlined technology quote and approval request system designed to facilitate faster workflows and approvals for IT-related acquisitions. When the update goes live, you will have access to four new distinct purchasing request options:

• Software
• Hardware
• Network Services
• Audio-Visual Products and Services

By integrating these new purchasing capabilities alongside the client support tools you already rely on, we are creating a more unified, efficient, and user-friendly digital experience for all campus users. The Technology Purchasing Procedures page of our website will always provide the current avenue for technology purchasing guidance, so once the new forms are available, you鈥檒l find them there.

Look out for our updated design and expanded service options appearing on the IT Services portal in the coming months!

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Building upon the trusted platforms we already use鈥攖he Rave Alert application and Rave App Armor (which powers the Trojan Campus Safety App)鈥攖hese new features are designed to foster monitored connections with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Safety and ensure vital information reaches our community instantly.

The rollout will introduce two powerful new capabilities:

1. Direct Desktop Assistance: Faculty and staff will soon have an additional, immediate way to call for help without requiring a voice call. Directly from the university-owned computer鈥攚hether you use a Windows or an Apple device鈥攜ou will be able to connect instantly with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Police Dispatchers to request assistance during an emergency.
2. Campus-Wide Display Alerts: When critical issues arise, such as severe weather alerts or immediate safety threats, emergency messages can be pushed directly to university PCs. Additionally, by integrating these alerts with our Rise Vision Display service, urgent messaging can be displayed on most wall-mounted video screens across campus. This ensures that staff, students, and visitors in applicable public spaces, buildings, lobbies, and academic departments see vital instructions immediately, in conjunction with other alerting methods.

A Comprehensive Safety Net These additions are part of a broader strategy to build out our safety capabilities so that when help is needed, various users can easily reach out for assistance in whatever way is most accessible to them.

Equally important, it allows the university to distribute vital, and sometimes life-saving information rapidly through a truly multi-channel approach. With these new desktop and display features joining our existing lineup of voice, text, email, and official app notifications, we are ensuring that the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community remains informed, connected, and safe.

Stay tuned to future IT Services newsletters for exact deployment dates and further instructions on how to use the new desktop assistance features.

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The numbers, initiatives, and ongoing improvements below highlight the depth, scale, and dedication behind the technology services that support the university every day.

By the Numbers

• 12,000鈥�18,000 incidents resolved annually
• ~800鈥�900 active requests managed at any given time
• 1,000鈥�1,600 issues resolved every 28 days
• 78 active 糖心Vlog传媒SYS tickets supporting system-wide services
• 14 active and upcoming projects in progress
• 30+ enterprise projects delivered across campus systems
• 60+ integrations supporting critical data flow between systems

What We Delivered

• Continued progress on Workday Student support and post-implementation enhancements
• Advanced cloud and infrastructure initiatives to support long-term system sustainability
• Expanded security and authentication improvements, including preparation for passkey adoption
• Ongoing enhancements to Blackboard, Slate, and enterprise integrations supporting teaching and student services
• Eduroam service for seamless wireless when faculty/staff visit other universities.聽聽

What We鈥檙e Working On

• Legacy system remediation and Banner transition to Oracle Cloud planning
• Campus-wide asset inventory and technology modernization efforts
• Continued integration and automation improvements across enterprise systems
• Ongoing security and identity enhancements
• Campus Edge switch hardware replacement

Did You Know?

ITS supports over 60 integrations that keep systems like Workday, Blackboard, and Slate connected, ensuring data moves securely and accurately across campus.

Many system updates and maintenance activities also occur outside of business hours to minimize disruption to students, faculty, and staff.

Behind the Scenes: Infrastructure Matters

Every system on campus depends on a strong technology foundation.

ITS Systems and Networks teams support:

• Campus Wi-Fi, wired network, and VPN access
• Servers, storage, and cloud environments
• Account access and authentication systems
• Cybersecurity tools and monitoring

This work ensures that campus technology remains available, secure, and reliable every day.

One ITS, Working Together

IT Services includes teams across Applications, Systems, Networks, Security, and End User Support, all working together to support the university鈥檚 mission.

Looking Ahead

ITS will continue to focus on:

• Improving system reliability and performance
• Enhancing security and identity services
• Supporting the campus through ongoing modernization efforts

We鈥檙e Here to Help

Have feedback or need support? The IT Services Assistance Center is here to assist with technology questions, issues, and requests.

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The is the region鈥檚 premier single鈥慸ay gathering for technology executives and IT leadership teams. Designed to address the realities facing modern organizations, the symposium brings together industry experts, security leaders, and practitioners for a full day of insight, strategy, and practical guidance.

Here’s what this year’s Arkansas Symposium addresses:

• AI In Production
• AI Operating Model
• Betting Better Results
• Espionage in the Real World
• Quantum Impact
• Security Communication That Works

The Arkansas IT Symposium is designed with the IT executive in mind and is meant to serve as a conduit for IT professionals to build a stronger professional peer network and attain real-world knowledge on business changing technology and management solutions.

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Soon, at the Ottenheimer Library, 3D printing will be available to all students, regardless of their degree program.

As part of its mission to provide accessible, multidisciplinary resources, the Ottenheimer Library is expanding its services to include free 3D printing for students alongside the development of the Trojan Forge, a makerspace-style workshop focused on creative technology and hands-on learning. The library will initially deploy two Bambu Lab P1S 3D printers, with plans to expand to five units across multiple models. These printers will be shared between the library and the Trojan Forge within. This initiative ensures that students across all majors gain access to technology that was previously limited to specialized programs.

To manage this service, the library is implementing 3DPrinterOS, a cloud-based platform that allows students to submit print jobs remotely, monitor prints in real time through camera feeds, and manage usage through a centralized system. Similar to print management solutions like PaperCut and Pharos UniPrint, it includes features such as account balance tracking, job queuing, and usage statistics to ensure fair access and prevent abuse.

Users can log in using their 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock credentials via single sign-on. This service supports a wide range of applications, from engineering prototypes and scientific models to artistic creations and practical everyday items. Access levels, pricing, and other requirements will be introduced as the service develops. The Trojan Forge and the associated 3D printing resources are planned to be available to the campus for the Fall 2026 semester.

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I am excited about joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as your new Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer. I am grateful for the Institute鈥檚 warm welcome and confidence in me. As an alum, I have always admired 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its efforts to tackle the many challenges we face globally through research and advanced technology. I am extremely fortunate to now be a part of a talented team of individuals who contribute to that mission.

During my first few months with the University, I鈥檝e steadily met with many of you during what I call my initial 鈥淟istening and Learning鈥� sessions. During these times, I鈥檓 getting to know you and discovering the strong emotion and enthusiasm you have for what you do here at the University. I鈥檝e gained the privilege of seeing first-hand the hard work that each of you brings to the University each day.

I believe wholeheartedly that technology can be a massive force for good, and nowhere is that possibility felt more acutely, or demanded more urgently, than right here. I feel a personal call to contribute my skills to this exceptional team, and help create that lasting impact.

At the heart of my approach is a commitment to collective impact. I am focused on three vital objectives: championing a culture of absolute candor and openness, accelerating the growth of our systems, and establishing robust knowledge-sharing across all critical roles. While these steps are vital for our department鈥檚 success, my most important goal is simple: to invest in your success鈥攂ecause when you succeed, we all succeed.

Thank you for your time and attention. I am genuinely excited about the positive direction we are taking; and look forward to partnering with each of you for a long and successful journey ahead.

Jim

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