Although not all may be obvious, the Information Technology (IT) department made several upgrades to campus technology over the summer.

The IT department was given the responsibility of installing Internet connectivity, computers and video cameras in the new Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic to support the curriculum and clinic’s work with patients. Professors and other observers no longer have to sit in and distract the patients being treated. They can simply sit at a computer and watch from there.

In Hagan Hall, classroom 101 was renovated to become a video conferencing room to provide a new method of teaching. New technology, a glass wall and new furniture were added. Since this room has a video conferencing system in it, this gives students and professors a new way to communicate and bring new things into the classroom.

In Amend Hall, several classrooms on the first and second floors were given new SMART Technology. SMART Technology was also added in various classrooms in Cornelia, the Fine Arts Center, McSpedon, Spellman, Murphy and Hagan. New equipment including, computers, document cameras and webcams were also installed.

The software was updated in Hagan 306 and McSpedon 16 computer labs.

There is an extensive IT department at Iona. There are many resources that are offered in all the buildings on campus and they are there for us whether it is advice on buying a new computer or getting your new laptop configured or “in the loop” so it will connect with the resources offered on campus.

According to Iona’s website, the mission of the IT department is to provide a robust, reliable, and secure information technology infrastructure to the college community, supports the use of information technology to enable academic innovation in teaching and learning provide electronic access to information, anticipate and satisfies the needs of the community in a timely manner, promotes and develops partnerships to empower campus-wide use of technology, develop a community that is acceptable to technological changes, and finally, promote a high level of employee dedication to provide professional customer service and satisfaction.

When asked if any more improvements were coming our way to campus in the following months, Vice Provost of Information Technology and CIO Joanne Steele explained that soon the faculty and staff will have access to Microsoft 365, just like the students. The faculty and staff will also have the opportunity to download and install Microsoft 365 and access it from home on their personal computers.