By Joe Lear
The integration of K-State Research and Extension technology staff within information technology services is almost complete.
The last step is the integration of help desk and tech support functions with the IT Help Desk and client services of the Information Technology Assistance Center. This move will begin during the week of Aug. 18. As part of the move, the support number, 785-532-6270, and email, ksresupport@k-state.edu, will be forwarded to the IT Help Desk.
We encourage everyone to start contacting the IT Help Desk, 785-532-7722, toll free at 800-865-6143, or helpdesk@k-state.edu, beginning Aug. 18. The help desk team will provide support or get you transferred to the proper team to resolve your issue.
For those on campus who work with research and extension tech support for computer support and do not have departmental support, contact the IT Help Desk. If needed, someone from client services will be assigned to take a look at your computer and if necessary take it back for repair.
If you are planning to come to campus and want to bring a computer in for repair, please contact the IT Help Desk in advance of coming to campus. They may be able to resolve your issue before coming to campus and it will allow the staff to schedule and prepare any necessary items for your arrival. Please be sure to bring your computer to 214 Hale Library.
As part of the move, Gary Kepka, David Dunn and Steve Spencer will now be part of client services under Eric Dover, edover@k-state.edu. Kepka will be in 214 Hale Library. The phone numbers will remain the same. Kepka, Dunn and Spencer along with the rest of the client services team will provide information technology support to the counties, districts, area offices, farm management districts, research centers and other offices that have been supported by the research and extension technology team.
Our student techs, Ian Speer, Kadin Zimmerman and Bryan DeBaun, will be joining the IT Help Desk. Janelle Harvey, our student receptionist and user account manager will be joining the client services team.
The goal of integration with information technology services is to provide the level of services and support that the faculty and staff of Kansas State University need to fulfill the land-grant missions of teaching, research and extension. By combining people and resources, we bring a larger pool of talent and ideas to that service and support. By doing so we can also look to reduce costs by avoiding duplication of effort and look at technologies that may help both on and off campus faculty and staff.
For more information on the reorganization with information technology services, visit the reorganization page. You also may find this page by going to the http://www.k-state.edu/its, mousing over the about ITS at the top of the page and clicking on ITS reorganization.
If you have any questions about the reorganization, who to contact for assistance, or you’re having trouble getting an issue or problem resolved, do not hesitate to call or email Joe Lear, director of information systems, at 785-532-3962, or learj@k-state.edu. We’ll do our best to resolve any issue or problem as fast as possible. We know that there will be a learning curve as we merge our clientele and staff, and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we learn the best ways to support your efforts now and into the future.
Editor’s note: Reprinted from K-State Today’s article published Aug. 12, 2014.)
