News Archives

CONSTELLATION PIT STOP

November 9, 2022

November 17, 10:00-11:00
Sawchuk Family Theatre COM 104

Faculty and staff are invited to join us for coffee and treats on Thursday November 17 at the Constellation Pit Stop in the Sawchuk Family Theatre.

Learn more about how this network of media and technology studios and resources can inspire ideas for teaching & learning, research and public engagement. Drop in to the Visualization & Emerging Media Studio (VEMS) in COM 107, where Andreas Rutkauskas’ work Awful Splendour, a visually stunning 3-D stereoscopic photography, will be shown on the 40 screen, 180-degree, immersive video wall.

Please bring $2 to donate to the United Way. Register to receive a calendar reminder.

REGISTER

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Upcoming Changes to UBCO Hot Desk Telephone Service

October 26, 2022

Do you have a UBCO Hot Desk telephone service?  What you need to know about upcoming changes!  

On November 16th starting at 10 pm, UBCO IT Voice Services will be updating the campus Hot Desk telephone service and simplifying user access. Currently, Hot Desk telephone service users have separate Hot Desk PIN and voicemail passcode. Following the update, the Hot Desk PIN will be reset to the user’s current voicemail passcode. During the update, users may be unable to access their Hot Desk and Voicemail services. Hot Desk telephone service users may be logged out of their telephones by the system.

Actions Required of all Hot Desk telephone service users:  

Prior to November 16th:  

  • Ensure that you can successfully access your voicemail by dialing your assigned telephone number and when you hear your outgoing message press * (star key) and you will be prompted for your passcode. 
  • If you are unable to access your voicemail or log in to your Hot Desk telephone service, please submit a Report an Issue ticket using the UBC Self-Service Portal and make sure to include your telephone number and what service you are having an issue with.  

Starting November 17th: 

  • Log into the Hot Desk telephone service using your voicemail passcode in place of the Hot Desk PIN when prompted. 
  • Users will also be able to access their voicemail from the telephone set they are logged into without entering a passcode. Users may want to log out when not using their Hot Desk telephone service to protect access to their voicemail if they are not in a private office. 

For more information on our voicemail and Hot Desk telephone service please visit our website 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if I will be impacted by this change? 

A:  You will be impacted if you are a user of the Hot Desk telephone service at UBC Okanagan. This change does not impact Call Centre numbers or users who do not log into their telephones.

Q: How do I know if I have a Hot Desk Telephone?   

A: Hot Desk locals will display a “Hot Desk” key on the display if the phone set is not logged in. If already logged in, there will be a “Logout” key. For more information visit the following article How do I log into or out of a Hot Desk phone?

Q: Can I use my Hot Desk or access my voicemail during this change?   

A: During the update, users may be unable to access their Hot Desk and Voicemail services. 

Q:  How do I log into my voicemail or change my passcode?  

A:  Please refer to the following article Voice mail Instructions  

Q: I forgot my voicemail passcode, how do I reset it?  

A:  To request your voicemail passcode to be reset, submit a ticket using the UBC Self-Service Portal

Q: Who do I contact to get more information about this change?

A:  Please submit a ticket using the UBC Self-Service Portal

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Constellation: A Journey Through Space(s)

May 10, 2022

Join UBC IT Okanagan, UBC Studios Okanagan, makerspaceUBCO and the Library on Wednesday May 18, 2022 for the launch of Constellation, a new alignment of existing media and technology teaching and learning spaces and resources at UBC Okanagan.

Constellation includes:   

  • Visualization and Emerging Media Studio (VEMS) (COM 107)
  • Makerspace (EME 1256)
  • Sawchuk Family Theatre (COM 104)
  • Digital Design Lab & Sound Booth (COM 205)
  • Library Design & Editing Stations (Main Floor Library)
  • Studio 123 (LIB 123)
  • Loans Hub (COM 204)

Accessible to faculty and students in all disciplines, the Constellation network can facilitate learning, innovation and creation both inside and outside of the classroom. Learn how Constellation supports the integration of digital and physical media and technology into courses across disciplines and enhances research exhibition through the use of immersive visualization, supportive technology, design thinking suites and rapid prototyping equipment.

Participate in two ways

Join the tour at Sawchuk Family Theatre (COM 104) on May 18, 3:00 to 4:30 pm

Attend a live presentation that will take you on a journey of discovery through examples of what Constellation spaces can offer and how they interact with one another. Meet at COM 104 at 3 pm; no registration required.

Drop by the multimedia display at Sawchuk Family Theatre (COM 104) on May 18, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm

Learn how the alignment of resources and spaces within Constellation can support innovation, creativity and experiential learning. A presentation will be displayed on the video wall throughout the day.

For further information about this event, please contact constellation.ok@ubc.ca.

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March 1: UBC IT Okanagan Managed Windows 10 Upgrades

February 11, 2022

To stay compliant with UBC’s information security standards, Windows 10 devices are required to run current software versions and have all required security updates installed.

Starting March 1, centrally managed Windows 10 devices (version 1909 and older) at UBC Okanagan will receive the latest version of Windows 10 (21H2). Once updates are available, you will have up to two weeks to restart your device. This update may take longer to install and should be performed toward the end of the day to minimize the impact on your schedule.

The current version you are running will reach end-of-life on May 10, 2022 and will be out of compliance with security standards. Feature Updates for Windows 10 are a security requirement, and updating systems is in accordance with UBC’s Information Security Standard M5, Vulnerability Management, (hxxps://cio.ubc.ca/information-security-standards/M5).  

Windows 10 Feature Update Installation – What Should You Do?  

We strongly recommend initiating the Feature Update and restarting your computer as soon as possible to mitigate any security risks and comply with UBC IT’s Information Security Standards. Please refer to UBC’s Windows 10 upgrade video.  

There are two steps to this process: 

  1. Install the “Feature Update to 20H2”
    Typically, it takes 60-90 minutes for the installation phase to complete while you work. You can check the status of your update in the Software Centre.  
  1. Restart your PC after the update has finished installing
    You can do this at a time in your work day that is convenient (e.g., at lunch time or at the end of the day). The restart should take 10–15 minutes. 

Please note: We strongly recommend you complete the update and restart your computer on your own prior to March 16. After this date, forced updates will begin in a phased approach on PCs that haven’t yet initiated the Feature Update. As well, a forced 2-week countdown will begin on PCs that haven’t yet restarted their PC after installing any Windows Updates that require it. This means you will be less in control of the process and resulting downtime during the restart that applies the update.  

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Share your ideas about UBC’s Digital Future

February 3, 2022

What is your vision for UBC’s digital future in the next 3, 5 ,10 years?

UBC is developing its first institution-wide digital strategy with a forward-looking vision and strategy that advances Shaping UBC’s Next Century and reflects the needs of the community in the context of a post-pandemic world.

Share your ideas and help shape the university’s digital strategy at an upcoming focus group or via an online feedback form.

The 90-minute focus groups will include a brief overview of Digital UBC, followed by a discussion to explore areas that are critical to your success and would deliver the most value to you, your digital vision, and digital priorities for the university.

Faculty and Students are asked to register today for focus group dates in February. You will be notified via email prior to the focus group date, subject to availability.

If you are unable to attend a focus group or are a staff member, feedback can be submitted at any time through our online feedback form.

Learn more about Digital UBC.

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Printer Software Changes, Family Day Weekend (February 19-21)

January 31, 2022

On Family Day weekend, UBCO IT will be rolling out a change to printers to migrate the credentials required from Novell to Campus-Wide Login (EAD) credentials.

On Tuesday, Feb 22nd, please restart your machine.

Depending on your computer and/or software management system, you may be prompted to select a printer and/or login with your Campus-Wide Login (EAD) credentials. If you have print requirements for Tuesday morning (Feb 22nd), please attempt to complete these prior to the end of business on Feb 19th, as we are preparing for a high volume of service requests which must be manually resolved.

Note: If you have a networked personal (“convenience”) printer, we will reach out to you individually for specific instructions on how to print after the cutover.

Printing Documentation

Actions Required:

  • If you have print requirements for Tuesday morning (Feb 22nd), we recommend printing these BEFORE Friday afternoon to avoid any delays.
  • After Tuesday, Feb 22nd, to connect your computer to the new FindMe “print object” you will need to restart your device, and if NOT on campus, connect to the VPN prior to login.
  • Depending on your computer and/or software management system, you may be prompted to select a printer and/or login with your EAD credentials before the new print object (pop-up windows will appear with any required actions).
  • You should set this new printer as your default printer if prompted.
  • Please note the “print object” update may take up to 60 minutes to complete.
  • If you are having problems after this time, please contact the IT Service Centre for assistance.
    • Urgent issues please call 250.807.9000 (on-campus dial 79000)
    • Otherwise please submit a ticket via the UBC Self-Service Portal

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2021/22 Term 2 IT Updates

December 10, 2021

We’ve pulled together information about 2021-22 Term 2 Startup IT Updates to help you get ready for Term 2.

Please reach out to your Engagement Services Coordinator with any questions or concerns.

Have a wonderful holiday break and see you in 2022!

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2021 Holiday IT Support Hours

December 3, 2021

Winter Break Hours

Please note the UBC IT Okanagan Service Desk will be closing early on Thursday December 9 and Friday December 24th. During the winter break, the Service Desk will be closed to walk ups and phone support from December 27th to January 3rd, 2022. From Tuesday January 4th to 7th phone support will be available from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-up support will resume normal operating hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm weekdays on January 10th.

On behalf of everyone in UBC IT Okanagan we wish you a very happy, and safe holiday season.

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Zoom Vulnerability Detected – Update Your Account by December 14

December 3, 2021

Zoom recently posted a security bulletin regarding a vulnerability in their Zoom Client for all platforms (e.g. Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux). As such, we are asking Zoom account holders to update their account to the latest version. The latest available version as of November 28, 2021 is 5.8.6.

To align with Information Security Standard M5 “Vulnerability Management,” version 5.8.4 will be implemented on all UBC licensed Zoom accounts on December 14, 2021 at 11:59pm.

After December 14, if you are running a version older than 5.8.4, you will be asked to update the next time you log in to Zoom or the next time that you attempt to join a meeting or webinar if you are already logged in. The update must be completed before you can join.

To avoid disruptions, we strongly recommend updating your mobile and desktop accounts to the mandatory minimum version prior to December 14. If you receive a prompt to update prior to December 14, please do so. Note that the mandatory minimum version requirement will not be enforced on Zoom users external to UBC that are joining your meeting or webinar.

To check for updates, open the Zoom application on your computer (type Zoom into the search bar on the bottom left):

Then click on your profile name or image on the Zoom pop-up window that appears, then select “Check for Updates” from the drop down menu:

Here are some more helpful links:

If you require further assistance with updating your client, please submit a ticket via the UBC Self-Service Portal to request AV Support.

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Monthly Forced Reboots for UBC Managed Windows Devices

December 3, 2021

To assist the campus community in staying compliant with UBC’s information security standards, new mandatory forced restarts on UBC supported computers are being implemented as operating system security patches and updates are deployed.

Security patches and updates are usually applied to Windows based computers monthly, but some might need to happen out-of-cycle to address a critical vulnerability or issue.  This follows Microsoft’s best practices and aligns with UBC’s information security standards: U7 – Securing Computing and Mobile Storage Devices / Media and M5 – Vulnerability Management. 

All UBC Okanagan supported Windows laptop and desktop computers will be required to reboot within a 3-14 day window following these updates. For more details please refer to the article in KnowIT – Windows Forced Reboots for UBC Managed Devices.

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