SMU OIT
@smuoit.bsky.social
The official Blue Sky account of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), Southern Methodist University's (SMU) central IT organization.
This summer, SMU received a 2026 CIO 100 Award for SMU OIT's approach to AI adoption. Through our collaboration with the AI Coalition of the Willing and Operation Copilot, SMU created opportunities to learn, experiment, and explore generative AI together. https://ow.ly/HGrN50ZNzbE
September 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM
This summer, SMU received a 2026 CIO 100 Award for SMU OIT's approach to AI adoption. Through our collaboration with the AI Coalition of the Willing and Operation Copilot, SMU created opportunities to learn, experiment, and explore generative AI together. https://ow.ly/HGrN50ZNzbE
With the fall semester officially in full swing, this month's Canvas Plus issue brings you important updates to SMU’s Acceptable Use Policy, a heads-up on our retiring Canvas integration, a behind-the-scenes refresh to Copyleaks, and more. https://ow.ly/QYIG50ZIuSr
September 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
With the fall semester officially in full swing, this month's Canvas Plus issue brings you important updates to SMU’s Acceptable Use Policy, a heads-up on our retiring Canvas integration, a behind-the-scenes refresh to Copyleaks, and more. https://ow.ly/QYIG50ZIuSr
OIT Security is getting ready to raise the stakes this October for Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a brand-new theme: Win Big with Cybersecurity! This year, we’re building on that success by bringing even more opportunities to play, learn, and win. https://ow.ly/MzBw50ZFV9j
August 31, 2026 at 2:01 PM
OIT Security is getting ready to raise the stakes this October for Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a brand-new theme: Win Big with Cybersecurity! This year, we’re building on that success by bringing even more opportunities to play, learn, and win. https://ow.ly/MzBw50ZFV9j
We have received a number of reports from users concerning issues accessing Qwickly.
Qwickly has identified an issue, and a fix has been implemented. If you were using a browser, you should be able to log in normally.
Qwickly has identified an issue, and a fix has been implemented. If you were using a browser, you should be able to log in normally.
August 27, 2026 at 7:15 PM
We have received a number of reports from users concerning issues accessing Qwickly.
Qwickly has identified an issue, and a fix has been implemented. If you were using a browser, you should be able to log in normally.
Qwickly has identified an issue, and a fix has been implemented. If you were using a browser, you should be able to log in normally.
Changes are coming to passwords at SMU. This fall, OIT will begin updating SMU’s password requirements to make passwords stronger while reducing how often you need to change them. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s ahead. https://ow.ly/wqzz50ZFV7S
Coming This Fall: A More Modern Approach to Passwords at SMU
Changes are coming to passwords at SMU. This fall, OIT will begin updating SMU’s password requirements to make passwords stronger while reducing how often you need to change them. Here’s a sneak pe…
ow.ly
August 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Changes are coming to passwords at SMU. This fall, OIT will begin updating SMU’s password requirements to make passwords stronger while reducing how often you need to change them. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s ahead. https://ow.ly/wqzz50ZFV7S
Welcome back! As we begin a new academic year, there’s a lot happening across campus—and plenty to look forward to this fall when it comes to cybersecurity and technology at SMU and our latest Quarterly Security Update covers it all. https://ow.ly/kxOZ50ZFV6W
August 26, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Welcome back! As we begin a new academic year, there’s a lot happening across campus—and plenty to look forward to this fall when it comes to cybersecurity and technology at SMU and our latest Quarterly Security Update covers it all. https://ow.ly/kxOZ50ZFV6W
With last weekend's rollout of the new Signage Channel interface, a few publishers have noticed that updating content in their former Advanced Channels is a little different. Here is a quick overview of the changes. https://ow.ly/fznN50ZEUuy
August 24, 2026 at 7:15 PM
With last weekend's rollout of the new Signage Channel interface, a few publishers have noticed that updating content in their former Advanced Channels is a little different. Here is a quick overview of the changes. https://ow.ly/fznN50ZEUuy
Appspace's new Signage Channel is here, bringing full-screen and multi-zone workflows together in one place with a refreshed interface to make managing your digital signage faster and easier. https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/08/24/new-appspace-signage-channel-experience-available/
The New Appspace Signage Channel Experience is Here
Appspace’s new Signage Channel is here, bringing full-screen and multi-zone workflows together in one place with a refreshed interface to make managing your digital signage faster and easier.
blog.smu.edu
August 24, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Appspace's new Signage Channel is here, bringing full-screen and multi-zone workflows together in one place with a refreshed interface to make managing your digital signage faster and easier. https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/08/24/new-appspace-signage-channel-experience-available/
Tonight's my.SMU and Financials.SMU scheduled maintenance was incorrectly listed in the Upcoming IT Changes email as from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and not 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Our team is currently working through the updates as quickly as possible to limit disruption. We apologize for the inconvenience.
August 7, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Tonight's my.SMU and Financials.SMU scheduled maintenance was incorrectly listed in the Upcoming IT Changes email as from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and not 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Our team is currently working through the updates as quickly as possible to limit disruption. We apologize for the inconvenience.
As the fall semester approaches, August brings two new student-facing features in Canvas, along with everything you need to know about our Fall Faculty Technology Workshops, including another round of our highly successful AI Learning Lab!
https://ow.ly/T4PJ50ZvZEY
https://ow.ly/T4PJ50ZvZEY
August 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
As the fall semester approaches, August brings two new student-facing features in Canvas, along with everything you need to know about our Fall Faculty Technology Workshops, including another round of our highly successful AI Learning Lab!
https://ow.ly/T4PJ50ZvZEY
https://ow.ly/T4PJ50ZvZEY
Our Faculty Technology Workshops return next week. This five-day back-to-school bootcamp starts August 12, 2026, and runs through August 18, and is open to all SMU instructors. Here are just a few of the new sessions offered this term: https://ow.ly/YMIb50ZvfHM
Faculty Technology Workshops Return August 12
Our upcoming Faculty Technology Workshops have all you need to hit the ground running and make your courses the best they can be.
ow.ly
August 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Our Faculty Technology Workshops return next week. This five-day back-to-school bootcamp starts August 12, 2026, and runs through August 18, and is open to all SMU instructors. Here are just a few of the new sessions offered this term: https://ow.ly/YMIb50ZvfHM
Have you tried out the improved WebClock?
It is now easier for SMU employees and student workers to clock in and out on their computers or mobile devices. https://ow.ly/NeR850ZvfFV
It is now easier for SMU employees and student workers to clock in and out on their computers or mobile devices. https://ow.ly/NeR850ZvfFV
WebClock Enhancements Allows Retirement of Physical Time Clocks
SMU has launched improved WebClock functionality in my.SMU that will make it easier for employees and student workers to clock in and out from their computer or mobile device.
ow.ly
August 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Have you tried out the improved WebClock?
It is now easier for SMU employees and student workers to clock in and out on their computers or mobile devices. https://ow.ly/NeR850ZvfFV
It is now easier for SMU employees and student workers to clock in and out on their computers or mobile devices. https://ow.ly/NeR850ZvfFV
Upcoming Electrical Outage: SMU Facilities announced another electrical power outage for Fondren Library and Hyer Hall this Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. Computers and sensitive equipment should be powered down prior to leaving on Friday, July 31.
https://ow.ly/RVYB50ZuNaE
https://ow.ly/RVYB50ZuNaE
July 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Upcoming Electrical Outage: SMU Facilities announced another electrical power outage for Fondren Library and Hyer Hall this Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. Computers and sensitive equipment should be powered down prior to leaving on Friday, July 31.
https://ow.ly/RVYB50ZuNaE
https://ow.ly/RVYB50ZuNaE
We are currently experiencing a number of reports of an email that appeared to come from an SMU email address. One of the subject lines contains "Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Report and Awareness.” THIS IS A PHISHING ATTEMPT! Feel free to delete the message. https://ow.ly/bwKe50ZsXXH
July 26, 2026 at 5:08 AM
We are currently experiencing a number of reports of an email that appeared to come from an SMU email address. One of the subject lines contains "Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Report and Awareness.” THIS IS A PHISHING ATTEMPT! Feel free to delete the message. https://ow.ly/bwKe50ZsXXH
Upcoming Electrical Outage: SMU Facilities announced an electrical power outage for Fondren Library and Hyer Hall this Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Computers and sensitive equipment should be powered down prior to leaving on Friday, July 24.
https://ow.ly/MmCr50ZspBw
https://ow.ly/MmCr50ZspBw
July 24, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Upcoming Electrical Outage: SMU Facilities announced an electrical power outage for Fondren Library and Hyer Hall this Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Computers and sensitive equipment should be powered down prior to leaving on Friday, July 24.
https://ow.ly/MmCr50ZspBw
https://ow.ly/MmCr50ZspBw
Big changes are coming to how SMU communicates internally. Discover how SMU's Marketing Cloud implementation is reshaping internal updates—from streamlined messaging workflows to improved engagement strategies across schools and units. https://ow.ly/1P8m50Zp8xi
July 20, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Big changes are coming to how SMU communicates internally. Discover how SMU's Marketing Cloud implementation is reshaping internal updates—from streamlined messaging workflows to improved engagement strategies across schools and units. https://ow.ly/1P8m50Zp8xi
Recent updates to Outlook have made it easier to locate contacts and recipients, but some have noticed duplicates, historical suggestions, & unexpected entries. Lauren Nelson helps us to understand why this happens and what we can do to fix it. https://ow.ly/6lvx50ZoYbU
July 17, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Recent updates to Outlook have made it easier to locate contacts and recipients, but some have noticed duplicates, historical suggestions, & unexpected entries. Lauren Nelson helps us to understand why this happens and what we can do to fix it. https://ow.ly/6lvx50ZoYbU
We are now starting the annual maintenance in the UDC. Many services will be impacted by this update, but there should be minimal impact to those accessing cloud services. After the maintenance is completed, we will post an update.
July 12, 2026 at 2:00 AM
We are now starting the annual maintenance in the UDC. Many services will be impacted by this update, but there should be minimal impact to those accessing cloud services. After the maintenance is completed, we will post an update.
OIT will perform the annual maintenance required for the networking infrastructure in the University Data Center this weekend. Access to several on-campus servers and services will be intermittent.
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/10/network-maintenance-service-outage-july-2026/
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/10/network-maintenance-service-outage-july-2026/
July 10, 2026 at 6:45 PM
OIT will perform the annual maintenance required for the networking infrastructure in the University Data Center this weekend. Access to several on-campus servers and services will be intermittent.
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/10/network-maintenance-service-outage-july-2026/
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/10/network-maintenance-service-outage-july-2026/
If you are an adjunct faculty member, we are offering a new workshop to help you prepare for the fall. Designed specifically for your needs, it provides practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, and more. Our first one is Thursday, July 16, at 3 p.m. https://ow.ly/KxrY50ZkUBB
Adjunct Faculty Quick Start
New to teaching at SMU or using Canvas to support your course? Join us for Adjunct Faculty Quick Start, a practical session designed to help you prepare your Canvas course,...
ow.ly
July 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If you are an adjunct faculty member, we are offering a new workshop to help you prepare for the fall. Designed specifically for your needs, it provides practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, and more. Our first one is Thursday, July 16, at 3 p.m. https://ow.ly/KxrY50ZkUBB
OIT Security has seen an increase in text message scams impersonating members of the SMU community. While the names being impersonated may change, the scam itself is not new—and the advice remains the same. https://ow.ly/JQyk50ZlhU2
July 7, 2026 at 7:25 PM
OIT Security has seen an increase in text message scams impersonating members of the SMU community. While the names being impersonated may change, the scam itself is not new—and the advice remains the same. https://ow.ly/JQyk50ZlhU2
If you are teaching online and missed today's workshops to help you for the fall, don't worry. We will be offering another session on Thursday, August 6 at 1 p.m. Save your seat to get practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, and more. https://booking.smu.edu/event/17085356
Online Faculty Quick Start
Preparing to teach an online course? Join us for the Online Faculty Quick Start, a practical session designed to help you verify that your course, technology, and required...
booking.smu.edu
July 7, 2026 at 4:55 PM
If you are teaching online and missed today's workshops to help you for the fall, don't worry. We will be offering another session on Thursday, August 6 at 1 p.m. Save your seat to get practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, and more. https://booking.smu.edu/event/17085356
We are offering new Quick Start workshops to provide practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, instructional technologies, and available resources. Our first one for SMU faculty teaching online is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Save your seat now. https://booking.smu.edu/event/17090798
July 7, 2026 at 12:00 AM
We are offering new Quick Start workshops to provide practical guidance on course readiness, Canvas essentials, instructional technologies, and available resources. Our first one for SMU faculty teaching online is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Save your seat now. https://booking.smu.edu/event/17090798
SMU Instructors will be happy to know that New Quizzes in Canvas now allow partial credit for questions. Also, recent changes in IgniteAI have some features, such as the Rubric Generator, being removed.
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/01/canvas-plus-july-2026-edition/
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/01/canvas-plus-july-2026-edition/
Canvas Plus: July 2026 Edition
New Quizzes now allow partial credit for questions, providing a more accurate assessment of student understanding. IgniteAI features in Canvas will change after June 30, with some features, such as…
blog.smu.edu
July 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
SMU Instructors will be happy to know that New Quizzes in Canvas now allow partial credit for questions. Also, recent changes in IgniteAI have some features, such as the Rubric Generator, being removed.
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/01/canvas-plus-july-2026-edition/
https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2026/07/01/canvas-plus-july-2026-edition/
Happy Independence Day! 🎆
The IT Help Desk is closed today in observance of Independence Day, but the phones will open at our regular time on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Until then, we are wishing you all a day filled with fireworks, barbecues, and joy with loved ones.
#FourthofJuly #USA 🇺🇸
The IT Help Desk is closed today in observance of Independence Day, but the phones will open at our regular time on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Until then, we are wishing you all a day filled with fireworks, barbecues, and joy with loved ones.
#FourthofJuly #USA 🇺🇸
July 3, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Happy Independence Day! 🎆
The IT Help Desk is closed today in observance of Independence Day, but the phones will open at our regular time on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Until then, we are wishing you all a day filled with fireworks, barbecues, and joy with loved ones.
#FourthofJuly #USA 🇺🇸
The IT Help Desk is closed today in observance of Independence Day, but the phones will open at our regular time on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Until then, we are wishing you all a day filled with fireworks, barbecues, and joy with loved ones.
#FourthofJuly #USA 🇺🇸