ITS provides technological support

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Who you gonna call for Internet access, an extra telephone line, computer hardware or software problems, or Banner questions? In case you don't know, the answer can be found in the four units composing Information Technology Services.

The department, which largely has evolved from the former Computing Center of simpler data processing times, now is subdivided among 1) Systems and Networks, headed by Timothy Griffin; 2) Information Systems, Danny M. Kemp; 3) User Services, Dr. Matt R. Raven; and 4) Telecommunications, Thomas R. Lindsay.

Head Mike Rackley said ITS "is designed to be the central organization providing support for information technologies on campus."

Most of that support is coordinated through The Help Desk, now completing its second year of operation. Rackley said efforts constantly are being made to refine Help Desk systems and to respond in a more timely fashion to queries.

Also, plans are being finalized for a new building to consolidate most of ITS in a central location. At present, the department is spread among offices in Allen and Lee halls, two Magruder Street houses and four manufactured housing units set up behind the Newell-Grissom Building.

"We hope to break ground this summer on a three-story annex on the north side of McArthur Hall," Rackley said. "We estimate it will take approximately 18 months to complete construction."

In the meantime, Rackley and the unit directors can be collectively accessed via one web site. The address is <www.its.msstate.edu/>.