BREAKING NEWS: Holiday Spirit Missing in 2020?!

Most Emporia State University students and employees have headed out for a well-earned break following the Fall 2020 semester. But, the missing holiday spirit is particularly troubling on this cold December day. We are hearing, unofficially, that the holiday spirit may arrive later than expected this year.

Find out more from our globetrotting international anchors! 

Thank you to all of our readers and viewers. We strive to keep you informed (and maybe even a little entertained at times). 

Have a wonderful and safe winter break and we look forward to even greater things in 2021!

- With ♥ from the Web and Digital Strategies team

Security Awareness Training Spring 2020

Though yesterday was the last day of eligibility for the prize contest, security awareness training is still required for ESU employees. To be entered in the contest, the training must have been done by the end of March.

The training began on March 2nd, and is a requirement for all ESU employees. The training is aimed at improving the general awareness about information security to protect important university information. 

I sat down with John Garafola, a member of the information security team, to answer some questions regarding the latest security awareness training. 

Tyler: "What is the purpose of security awareness training?"

John: "The purpose of the security awareness training for us here at ESU is partially compliance and partially pro-activity. Basically, what we want to do is ensure that our users have a clear idea of threats that exist within our environment."

Tyler: "What is different this year from the previous years?"

John: "This year we included the option for a pretest, which will save you about 30 minutes of test time."

Tyler: "What about the prizes?"

John: "Well this year we've got some great prizes. We have the option of a parking pass, which can save you close to $90, or a Kindle E-Reader."

Tyler: "How can employees access this training?"

John: "Employees can access the training by interacting with the emailed link that they should have received. If you didn't receive an email, please let us know. The password to access the website should have been included in that email" 

The security training must be completed by June 1st.

To watch the full interview, click here or check out our YouTube channel: Hornet TV

Questions? Contact the IT Help desk:

Call: 877-341-5555

Email: helpdesk@emporia.edu

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

Video Conferencing Etiquette

You might encounter several video conferences over the next few weeks of ESU's online education. Some may be well experienced in this are, while other may be completely new to the idea of a video conference. It is important to know how to behave in a virtual classroom so you and your classmates get the most out of the experience.

1. Wear Work-Appropriate Clothing - Follow your organization’s rules and dress appropriately. Be smart when it comes to dressing up, because you are a representation of your organization.
2. Ensure Your Technology Works Correctly - Check the devices you want to use for the conference. Make sure everything works and you have a stable network connection. 
3. Use the Proper Software and Hardware - Make sure you have every software used for conference calls. You want to be prepared and have everything you need before you take or make a call. 
4. Be on Time - Your responsibility is to be on time. Being on time is always important and makes you look good inside and outside of your organization. 
5. Have the Right Light -  Lighting is very important. Make sure the room has a lot of light and people can see everything you use during the conference. 
6. Mute Yourself When Not Speaking - Even though you might not be speaking, your microphone can still pick up minor background noises. Background noises might often distract your peers. Make sure you follow proper etiquette and limit the amount of noises.  
7. Limit Your Distractions - Don’t get distracted. Distraction is your biggest enemy. Conference calls are important, and you always need to be focused. 
8. Engage - Participate as much as possible. Your opinion matters and your peers will appreciate you sharing it with them. 
9. Pay Attention - Paying attention is the key. Try not to miss information, because you will most likely miss something important and won’t have anyone to ask at home. 

These are 9 essential tips when it comes to video conference etiquette. If sought through, you're sure to get the best experience out of your online classroom!

For an instructional video detailing these tips, check out our YouTube video.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

IT Only Takes a Minute Returns

IT Only Takes A Minute is Back

IT Only Takes A Minute is back and we're better than ever. IT Only Takes A Minute is your update on all things related to ESU IT. The latest episode focuses on the guidelines for HornetTV, cyber security awareness, and the success of Hornet365.

You're probably more aware of HornetTV than you know. HornetTV's are located all across campus; from HPER to Plumb Hall, from the Science Hall to the Sauder Alumni Center. There's even HornetTVs in the Newman Medical Center. Hornet TV is the digital pulse of Emporia State University, displaying a 24/7 live stream of the latest news, events, video content and more, all tailored to the ESU community. If you happen to miss some of the content, you can always watch it online at Hornet365.com or the 'ESU IT Video' channel on YouTube.

Have an event or opportunity coming up that relates to ESU? Both students and faculty can submit digital posters online at Hornet365.com to be displayed on HornetTV.

Before making a post, it’s important to make sure that you’re familiar with the Hornet TV guidelines.

• Digital posters must be submitted in a 16:9 aspect ratio
• Digital posters must be in an image format (.PNG, .JPG, or .TIF)
• Digital posters must be related to an ESU sponsored event, activity, or campus life

For a full list of guidelines, click here, or scroll to the bottom of the Hornet365 homepage and click the link under Hornet TV called ‘guidelines’.

On January 28th, the ESU information security team tabled in Memorial Union, handing out goodies and information on how to stay protected online. ESU faculty and students can learn more about how to protect themselves and others by becoming a Cyber Security Ambassador. The information security team has been avidly recruiting to find the next ambassador. 

Think it could be you? Find out more information on what it takes in our past blog post.

Last, but not least. Hornet365 reached 1,000,000 unique page views in under one year. That's a wildly successful year, and we couldn't have done it without all of you. The portal is at the heart of all things digital for our current faculty, staff, students and visitors.

We're always working to add more content and improve your experience.  If you have suggestions, use the feedback button at the bottom of hornet365.com.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

IT Only Takes a Minute - Welcome Back Fall 2019

This week, Emporia State welcomed new and returning students to the start of the Fall 2019 semester.  Each year, we share all of the great new and updated services available to ESU students.  The following highlights are only a few of these new things!

SkyPrint PLUS + Credit.   You'll notice some of the SkyPrint release stations have a new look this year.  These new multi-function units, called SkyPrint PLUS, now include the ability to scan and copy, as well as print.  Also, you can set up fast login using your Hornet Card.  This means you only need to tap your card in order to release your jobs.  Find more info, including all of our SkyPrint locations from Hornet 365's TechSite.  All ESU students get $8 worth of free prints, which you'll find freshly loaded to your account!  Learn More
 

Hornet TV.  Look for a newly redesigned 24 x 7 livestream with even more new content from across campus, plus check out the interactive digital signs!  We've been busy mapping out floors, finding rooms and building staff directories for every building with an interactive sign.  And the best feature, scan the QR code on the sign to download a copy of the sign's content to your smartphone! Watch Now
 

Office + Symantec.  All ESU students and employees get Microsoft Office and Symantec Anti-Virus free to install on your personal devices!  Students, make sure to log in with username@emporia.edu, DON'T use "g.emporia.edu".  Click the Downloads tile from Hornet365!
 

Hornet 365.  The new portal is live!  With the help of users all across campus, we built a next generation portal to bring the ESU experience to one central location!  And now it's even easier to get to--just go to HORNET365.COM!  Dont' forget to send us your feedback and look for more enhancements in the days ahead!
 

Virtual Campus Explorer.  Are you new to campus?  Or maybe you're just an explorer at heart!  Now, you can explore the ESU campus with our new Virtual Campus Explorer.  In addition to campus maps and building info, we've also started creating 360 degree experiences of interesting spaces across campus, Check back as we add even more as the semester progresses!   View Virtual Campus Explorer

A Strange Thing happened on the way to class...  Not really, but you might discover something both interesting and informative as we launch the IT + Information Security fall campaign with this year's "Stranger Things"-inspired theme.  Debuting at tonight's block party, we'll have a digital guidebook, free giveaways and the chance to win a bluetooth speaker!  Start exploring now by visiting emporia.edu/strange!

Good luck from ESU Information Technology!

Posted by Brian Osbourn, Director, Web + Digital

IT Only Takes a Minute - PREVIEW!

Emporia State IT's ongoing web series are back for another season!  You can find us on Hornet TV by going to hornet.emporia.edu.  Tyler gives us a preview of what's to come with IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE and stay tuned for more videos very soon!  ESU groups interested in their own Hornet TV channel (it's free!) can get one by contacting the IT Help Desk.  #myhornet365

-Brian Osbourn, Director, Web & Digital Strategies