Talking Stick - January/February 2009 - (Page 52)

reporting out EDUCAUSE Releases Core Data Service Report EDUCAUSE, the association for information technology in higher education, has just released its Core Data Service Fiscal Year 2007 Summary Report. The 104-page report summarizes data collected from a diverse group of 1,016 institutions about their campus IT practices, policies, and environment, examining topics such as networking, IT security, staffing, and budgetary and organizational issues. The following are some of the highlights from the report: • Nearly one-third of all top IT administrators report to a campus president, chancellor, or chief executive officer. • The use of open-source software increased to almost 51 percent of responding institutions, from 47 percent in 2006 and 32 percent in 2005. • Most campuses increased deployment of campus network technology, including personal firewalls, voice over IP (VoIP), and software that blocks spyware. • Of the respondents, 68 percent said they had performed a formal campus IT risk assessment, up from 63 percent in the previous year. In addition, 49 percent have deployed emergency notification systems, and 47 percent are exploring this option. • Of responding campuses, 15 percent currently offer legal downloading services, and 17 percent are considering this option. For more information and to view the report, visit www.educause.edu/PressReleases/ LatestCoreDataServiceReportonC/133948. New Zealand Survey About Drinking Habits Is First Outside of North America Research from New Zealand reveals that hazardous drinking is pervasive among undergraduate students, creating a public health concern for the country. Researchers at the University of Newcastle in Australia examined the drinking habits of undergraduate students in New Zealand and compiled Websurvey responses from 2,548 undergraduates enrolled at five of New Zealand’s eight universities. Participants were asked to provide information on drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems for the preceding four weeks and also to complete “drinking diaries” for the preceding seven days. Results reveal that 80 percent of both men and women reported drinking alcohol in the seven days preceding the survey, and 37 percent reported binge drinking in this same timeframe. There was a high prevalence of alcohol-related problems, such as the 33 percent of students who experienced blackouts in the preceding four weeks. The risk factors for binge drinking included being younger, starting to drink earlier, being a binge drinker in high school, and living with other students. Dr. Kypros Kypri, senior research fellow at the University of Newcastle and author of the study, contributed recommendations to combat the problem, including implementing early identification systems at colleges and universities to address drinking concerns among new students and restricting the availability of alcohol around campus. This is the first time research has been done on this issue outside of North America. The results of the study will be published in the February 2009 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research and are currently available for early view at www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119879580/issue. aCuta releases surveY on wireless A recent survey by the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education (ACUTA) finds that colleges and universities are continuing to expand their wireless networks on campus. ACUTA surveyed attendees from a diverse group of schools at its annual seminars, which focused on converged mobile communications issues. All of the institutions surveyed have wireless networks already in place, providing anywhere from 10 percent to full coverage of their campuses. However, 69 percent of the schools say they will add to or enhance their current networks within six months, and 18 percent plan on additions or enhancements within a year. The most common complaints about wireless networks included spotty or incomplete coverage (55 percent), followed by dropped connections (21 percent) and log on difficulties and network speeds (17 percent each). In terms of their future network enhancements, 79 percent reported that increasing the zone coverage was a top priority, 52 percent are hoping to eliminate coverage gaps, and 45 percent want to improve their networks’ security. To learn more, visit www.acuta.org/?2068. submit Your inFormation Reporting Out includes information from regional and national associations that have information of interest to ACUHO-I members. ACUHO-I also encourages other organizations to submit news. Individual items vary in length but should not exceed 100 words. Shorter is better. We encourage contributors to submit relevant, professional-quality photos. Please send submissions and photos to camille@acuho-i.org. 52 Talking STick http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119879580/issue http://www.educause.edu/PressReleases/LatestCoreDataServiceReportonC/133948 http://www.educause.edu/PressReleases/LatestCoreDataServiceReportonC/133948 http://www.acuta.org/?2068

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Talking Stick - January/February 2009 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Assessing Assignments On Your Honor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out Welcome Snapshot

Talking Stick - January/February 2009

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