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Orange Online: February 2025 Newsletter

This message was originally shared to all students via email on February 5, 2025.

At a Glance

Each month, Information Technology Services provides tech tips for the Orange community. Pressed for time? Here are this edition’s topics:

Phishing Scam Targets International Students

ITS has received reports of a scam targeting international students. Attackers impersonate government agencies via email and phone calls, falsely claiming visa or immigration issues. Learn More.

Sign Up for the AI Insights Newsletter

AI Insights is the University’s go-to newsletter for all things artificial intelligence (AI). Stay ahead of the curve with tips, insights and the latest news tailored for the Orange community. Subscribe.

Automatic Email Forwarding Ends in March 2025

As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to maintain and secure our email services, the ability to automatically redirect emails from University accounts will end in March 2025. At that time, any redirect rules set up in a mailbox will be deleted, and emails sent to an @syr.edu address will no longer be automatically forwarded to other email accounts. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at help@syr.edu or 315.443.2677.

Use WAVE to Check Web Accessibility

Are you building a webpage or online form? Use the WAVE evaluation tool to check for accessibility. WAVE quickly scans web content and identifies many barriers to persons with disabilities. Learn More.

Watch the Big Game on SpectrumU

Do you need a way to watch the game this Sunday? Do you just need a break from studying? Students living in residence halls have access to the SpectrumU app, which streams live TV. Learn More.

You Are Here: Digital Maps

Be sure to check out maps.syracuse.edu, where you can sort by a range of location types (buildings, parking, dining, etc.). You can choose “Show Only Accessible Routes” on the Directions tab.

Service Center and MakerSpace Relocate

Last month, the ITS MakerSpace and Service Center moved to new locations. The MakerSpace is now located in the Marshall Square Mall. The ITS Service Center has moved to the Women’s Building lobby.

Helpful Resources

ITS and the campuswide information technology community are available year-round to help with your tech questions. Resources include:

Thank you for reading. Go Orange!

Orange Online: January 2025 Newsletter

This message was originally shared to all students via email on January 15, 2025.

At a Glance

Each month, Information Technology Services provides tech tips for the Orange community. Pressed for time? Here are this edition’s topics:

Cupcake Celebration for Blackboard

Syracuse University successfully launched Blackboard Ultra Course View last semester. To celebrate, join us for cupcakes in the Schine Student Center atrium on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 3-4 p.m.

Service Center and MakerSpace Relocate

The ITS MakerSpace and Service Center have moved to new locations on campus. The MakerSpace will reopen in Marshall Square Mall on Jan. 21. The ITS Service Center has relocated to the Women’s Building lobby. New Beginnings. 

Digital Accessibility Tip: Use MS Accessibility Checker

Before sending an Outlook email or sharing a Word doc, Excel sheet or PowerPoint deck, run the Accessibility Checker located in the Review tab of your Microsoft application. The checker identifies issues that could pose barriers to certain users and provides instructions on how to correct these issues. Office Hours.

Information Security Tip: Beware of Phishing Attacks

Watch out for an increase in phishing emails targeting the University community. These attacks often appear to come from trusted sources and aim to steal your credentials. Be cautious of unexpected emails with links, validate suspicious requests by phone and never share MFA codes sent via email or text. Learn More.

AI Insights

ITS is thrilled to introduce AI Insights, a newsletter for all things artificial intelligence. Tailored for the Orange community, this newsletter delivers tips, insights and the latest AI news to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. Each issue will feature updates from higher education and the tech industry.  Subscribe. 

AirOrangeX

If you have recently returned to campus, consider disconnecting your personal cellular hotspot. Hotspots can interfere with the AirOrangeX network, which provides a fast, secure connection for all devices. By using AirOrangeX instead of a hotspot, you help improve the campus computing experience for everyone. Get Connected. 

Automatic Email Forwarding Ends in March 2025

As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to maintain and secure our email services, the ability to automatically redirect emails from University accounts will end in March 2025. At that time, any redirect rules set up in a mailbox will be deleted, and emails sent to an @syr.edu address will no longer be automatically forwarded to other email accounts. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at help@syr.edu or 315.443.2677.

Helpful Resources

ITS and the campuswide information technology community are available year-round to help with your tech questions. Resources include:

Thank you for reading. Go Orange!

AI Insights for Dec. 20, 2024

This message was originally shared to subscribers December 20, 2024.

Happy Orange Appreciation Days from ITS!

Before you enjoy some well-earned rest and reflection during Orange Appreciation Days, we wanted to send an all-links edition of “AI Insights” and wish you a happy 2025! Our New Year’s Resolution is to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments in AI while helping you incorporate it into your work.

Would you like to share an article you found or a tip for taking advantage of AI? You can share your links and ideas using our Microsoft Form. (Keep reading for our first-ever reader recommendation!)

If you received this email as a forward from a helpful colleague, you can subscribe online.

News and Views

Government

  • ChatGPT, meet DHSChat: Homeland Security has a new AI bot (FedScoop)

Higher Education

  • Interview With an AI Higher Ed Fundraiser (Inside Higher Ed)
  • Harvard and Google to release 1 million public-domain books as AI training dataset (TechCrunch)
  • Google built an AI tool that can do research for you (Google)
  • Rutgers Business School partners with Google to enhance teaching and classroom learning with Generative AI (Rutgers University)

Industry

  • 12 Days of OpenAI (OpenAI)
  • Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says conversational AI is the next web browser (The Verge)
  • Introducing Gemini 2.0: our new AI model for the agentic era (Google)
  • ChatGPT adds live video access to “see” what your phone sees (Axios)
  • Meta debuts a tool for watermarking AI-generated videos (TechCrunch)
  • OpenAI makes AI video generator Sora publicly available in US (Guardian)
  • Introducing ChatGPT search (OpenAI)
  • AI Agents: What You Need to Know Now (LinkedIn)
  • AI’s Greatest Hits: Seeing the Path to AGI (Special Competitive Studies Project)

Reader Recommendation

Helpful Resources

Thank you for reading. Go Orange!

Urgent Security Alert—Beware of Immigration & Payment Scams

The ITS Information Security team has received reports of a scam targeting international students. Attackers are impersonating government agencies (such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) via email and phone calls, falsely claiming visa or immigration issues. Victims are pressured to stay silent and make urgent payments—often using gift cards.

Remember:

  • Government agencies and legitimate businesses will NEVER demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
  • If you receive a threatening email or call, do not respond—immediately report it to the ITS Helpdesk (315.443.2677) for assistance.
  • Verify any requests by contacting the agency directly using official contact details.

To learn more about phishing scams, visit the ITS Phish Bowl.

AI Insights for Jan. 24, 2025

This message was originally shared to subscribers January 24, 2025.

Have you heard about our upcoming AI events? ITS is teaming up with Blackboard on Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss AI in higher education, including within Blackboard itself. On Thursday, Feb. 13, we will host our second AI at Work event featuring ITS leadership and campus community members who will share how they have incorporated generative AI into their daily work. We hope you can join us!

Would you like to share an article you found or a tip for taking advantage of AI? We’d love to hear it! You can share your links and ideas using our Microsoft Form.

If you received this email as a forward from a helpful colleague, you can subscribe online. Continue Reading