IT Status Updates and Maintenance

EDUROAM LAUNCH

The campus-wide expansion of our wireless eduroam network starts Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Eduroam enables users to use their institution's email credentials to access secure Wi-Fi networks across all University System of Georgia (USG) institutions. When connecting to the wifi, look for the eduroam network on your device and log in using your VSU email and password. For users visiting VSU, please enter your institution’s email credentials to connect to eduroam.

Note: Parents, vendors, or anyone who is not actively affiliated with a participating institution should connect to VSU-Guest when on campus. Active VSU students and employees should connect to VSU-WiFi/LegacyWiFi as usual when on campus. For more information visit www.valdosta.edu/wireless

MICROSOFT TEAMS UPGRADE
Microsoft Teams has been updated to the latest version. When you open Teams desktop, you will be prompted to switch to the new version. Or if you are already in the classic version of Teams, you may click the Try the new Teams button in the upper left corner. Teams will quickly relaunch displaying the new version. If you pinned the classic Teams to your Task bar, you can unpin it and then pin the new version. To learn more about Teams, visit the following links:

• What’s new in Microsoft Teams
• What’s New in Microsoft Teams from their blog
  Microsoft Teams help & learning
• Microsoft Teams YouTube channel and Microsoft Teams video training
• VSU IT Microsoft Teams webpage and eLearning’s Course Technology Information webpage

VSU WIRELESS NETWORKS CHANGE

Beginning Monday, December 11, 2023, all Blazers will need to do the following to connect to VSU wireless networks:

• VSU-WiFi and VSU-LegacyWiFi Network
  Beginning December 11, re-connect your cell phone and computers to this network. If prompted, you must accept a new certificate to re-authenticate. 
• VSU-IOT and VSU-IOT-5G (resident halls) Network
  Beginning December 11, you must register or re-register your gaming consoles, streaming devices, smart TVs, etc., through the new internet-of-things (IoT) registration portal at iot.valdosta.edu and then connect to this network.

To learn more about how to connect, please visit www.valdosta.edu/wireless.

V:\CLASS DRIVE END OF USE
Beginning January 2, 2024, the V:\Class file-sharing network drive will no longer be available. As an alternative, the university will continue to actively use Microsoft Class Teams. Microsoft Class Teams are automatically created for each academic class each term.

• January 2, 2024– No new Class folders will be created and the V:\Class network drive will not be accessible.
• September 1, 2024 – The ability to retrieve historical data will end. Until then, faculty and students may request data retrieval by calling the Solutions Center at 229.245.HELP (4357).

If you have questions, please call VSU Solutions Center during normal business hours.

2FA TEXT MESSAGE METHOD
Microsoft no longer uses two-way text message as a two-factor authentication (2FA) option. We recommend switching to the Microsoft Authenticator mobile app. If your device does not support the app, you can select to use the phone call verfication method instead. Learn how to change your 2FA method

MICROSOFT 365 NOTICE
Microsoft will no longer support Microsoft Office 2019 for both PC and Mac computers. New desktops and laptops issued to VSU employees are installed with Microsoft 365 that includes the latest version of Office apps. For users of existing office computers, we recommend upgrading to Microsoft 365 to avoid security risks and productivity interruptions.

Employees: Install Microsoft 365 on your office computer:

1. Close any open applications.
2. In the Windows Search bar, type Portal Manager and then select it from the list.
3. From either the All or Available link, click Install Office 365.
4. Note the Status Bar as the installation completes. 

If Microsoft Office 365 is not listed in your Portal Manager or if you experience installation issues, please submit a ticket - Ticket Portal

Personal Devices: Employees and students can install Microsoft 365 on their personal devices at no charge. Visit the VSU Microsoft Education site to learn how.

Degree Works will be upgraded to version 5.1.4. Degree Works is a web-based tool that helps students, and their advisors track academic progress and create course plans to meet degree requirements.

Maintenance for the upgrade is tentatively scheduled for December 2 thru December 13, 2024. Degree Works will not be available during this time. Banner and Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) will be available; however, the Degree Works academic plans that are integrated within VSB will not be accessible.

 Students and Advisors should plan for the downtime by obtaining needed evaluations before leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday or no later than November 26. Students may contact their Advisors for additional guidance as needed. Learn more about University Advising at University Advising.

Access Degree Works: Log in to MyVSU > select View > and select Degree Works from the Portal List.
Visit Degree Works: Academic Planning Tool to learn more about Degree Works.