Tech Tips: February 2026 Faculty/Staff Newsletters

This message was originally shared to all faculty and staff via email on February 5, 2026.

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 Alert

A phishing email with the subject line “Syracuse University General Email Account Maintenance Update Act Now…” is circulating throughout the campus community. Stay alert and reach out to the IT Security team (infosec@syr.edu) with any questions or concerns. Learn More.

    AI at Work

    Join us for our next AI at Work session, Claude Skills, to explore how generative AI can support your daily work at Syracuse. Learn practical ways to use Claude to boost productivity and streamline tasks. Feb. 11, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in 500 Hall of Languages or via Teams. Register. 

      Adobe Tools for Faculty and Staff

      As an Adobe Creative Campus, Syracuse University offers faculty and staff access to Adobe Express, Adobe Sign and Adobe Acrobat, which offer the following features:

      • Adobe Express: Web and mobile design tool for creating social media graphics, videos, web pages and marketing materials using templates and simple editing tools.
      • Adobe Sign: Electronic signature solution for sending, signing, tracking and managing document agreements digitally. If you have not already done so, you can request Sign through the Microsoft Access Package portal.
      • Adobe Acrobat: PDF software for creating, editing, converting and managing PDF documents, including form creation and annotation tools.

      Beginning March 9, if you need access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, you can request it by visiting the Microsoft Access Package portal.

      Spring Events

      This spring, ITS will offer a series of hybrid and online workshops on timely technology topics, including generative AI and Microsoft 365 tools. Sessions are open to the campus community and designed to build practical skills you can use right away. Upcoming events include Tech Topics (March 19) and AI at Work (April 15). More sessions will be added as details are confirmed. Schedule. 

      Digital Accessibility Tip: Meaningful Reading Order in PowerPoint

      Ensure meaningful reading order in PowerPoint. PowerPoint reads slide objects such as text boxes and images in the order they were added, not their visual layout, so screen readers may jump around illogically when reading to a user. To inspect reading order, go to Review > Check Accessibility > Reading Order Pane to display all objects and reorder them logically. Check as you go to save time! Office hours.

      Prepare for Spring With Gradescope

      Gradescope is a grading tool integrated with Blackboard to improve the effectiveness and reduce the time associated with traditional grading. It helps digitally collect, organize, and store work; streamline grading workflows for paper-based exams and assignments, bubble sheet exams, online homework and programming projects; and identify student and class trends with robust statistics and dashboards. If you’re grading student work, this tool will be helpful to you! To learn more, view the Gradescope flyer [pdf] and visit the Gradescope resources page for short videos on how to get started, and full-length webinar recordings. Contact gradescope@syr.edu for on-campus Gradescope general support and inquiries.

      AI Insights

      Explore the latest in artificial intelligence with AI Insights, the newsletter for all things AI. Whether you’re looking to enhance your work with smart tools or simply stay informed, each issue brings you news from higher ed and the tech world and weekly AI tips. Newsletter. 

      Tech Tips Weekly

      Stay connected and ahead with Tech Tips Weekly—for quick, practical advice to make the most of campus technology. Each week, our new newsletter delivers easy-to-follow how-tos, timely service updates and insider looks at the newest features, tools and resources. Subscribe. 

      Helpful Resources

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

      • Academic and administrative IT staff

      • Classroom Resource Guide

      • ITS Service Center

      • Self-Serv NetID and password management portal

      Thank you for reading. Go Orange!