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SMU OIT
@smuoit.bsky.social
The official Blue Sky account of the Office of Information Technology (OIT), Southern Methodist University's (SMU) central IT organization.
In this month's Canvas Plus, we highlight upcoming workshops, along with updated integrations for PlayPosit and Macmillan, and new tools and features for Copyleaks and Cidi Labs. https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2025/12/11/copy-canvas-plus-december-2025-edition/
Canvas Plus: December 2025 Edition
In this edition of Canvas Plus, we highlight upcoming workshops, along with updated integrations for PlayPosit and Macmillan, and new tools and features for Copyleaks and Cidi Labs.
blog.smu.edu
December 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
As we wrap up the term, we would like to remind you that starting next spring, Microsoft Authenticator will be the primary MFA for SMU, but you don’t have to wait. You can take advantage of the features today! https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2025/12/19/microsoft-authenticator-default-mfa-spring-2026/
Microsoft Authenticator Default MFA Spring 2026
As we wrap up the term, we would like to remind the SMU community that starting next spring, Microsoft Authenticator, with its improved feature set, will be the primary Multi-Factor Authentication …
blog.smu.edu
December 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
We just want to remind you to stay aware during this season as cybercriminals ramp up their efforts to trick busy students, faculty, and staff with too-good-to-be-true deals, fake charity solicitations, and realistic phishing emails. https://ow.ly/fiAm50XMBBp
#SecureTheSeason
#SecureTheSeason: Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Spirit
Holiday Online Shopping & Scam Awareness for the SMU Community The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and—unfortunately—an annual spike in online scams. With shopping, travel, and donation…
ow.ly
December 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Our latest Training Insider has just arrived. We’ve prepared a special holiday QuickTip on using Adobe Express, answered questions in the Staff Mailbag, discussed the basics of Copilot Agents, plus a preview of our Spring training schedule. https://www.smu.edu/oit/training/training-insider/2025-11
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Just a reminder. The IT Help Desk will have adjusted hours during the University’s Thanksgiving Break. https://ow.ly/kGaQ50XxRGB
IT Help Desk Hours During Thanksgiving Break
The IT Help Desk will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, through Sunday, November 30, 2025, for in-person and chat support. Phone and email support will resume at 8 a.m. on Saturday…
ow.ly
November 25, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Our latest newsletter highlights our 2025 Progress Report, the new Cyber Champions, opportunities provided for our interns, and an interview with the Microsoft Authenticator Adoption Project team, along with a few other updates. https://www.smu.edu/oit/stayinformed/newsletter/2025-11

November 2025 Edition | OIT Technology News
This month’s newsletter features our new 2025 Cyber Champions, how OIT provided practical, work-ready skill development opportunities for our interns, and we spoke with members of the Microsoft Authenticator Adoption Project team about their experiences with Microsoft Authenticator, plus a few updates.
www.smu.edu
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Did you know that SMU is among a select group participating in testing Canvas Ignite? We will explore how intelligent AI tools can assist with everyday teaching tasks & provide insight into how AI can enhance learning. https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2025/10/22/faculty-help-shape-future-ai-teaching/
SMU Faculty Help Shape the Future of Teaching with AI
SMU is proud to be among a select group of institutions participating in Instructure’s product testing for the Canvas Ignite Agent, an AI-powered feature designed to support instructors in the Canvas learning environment.
blog.smu.edu
November 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Over the past year, we have made a concerted effort to provide practical, work-ready skill development opportunities for SMU students by investing significant time and mentorship in creating structured graduate internship projects and hands-on technical roles. https://ow.ly/rPgy50Xt6H5
Developing Talent Through OIT: Student Workers and Interns Gain Real-World Experience
Over the past year, OIT has made a concentrated effort to provide practical, work-ready skill development opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students through our Data and Application…
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November 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Thank you for everyone that attended our #SMUCyberFair yesterday. Don't forget to have all your activities in the #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth Challenge entered before October 31 — every activity counts! https://ow.ly/MnZa50XkFvL #smu
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Did you know that SMU is among a select group of institutions testing the new Canvas Ignite Agent? This AI-powered feature is designed to support instructors within the Canvas LMS with everyday teaching tasks. Find out how you can engage with #IgniteAI. https://ow.ly/cAnC50XiOyz #smu
SMU Faculty Help Shape the Future of Teaching with AI
SMU is proud to be among a select group of institutions participating in Instructure’s product testing for the Canvas Ignite Agent, an AI-powered feature designed to support instructors in the Canv…
ow.ly
October 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
It looks like multiple cloud services are experiencing worldwide issues, including Microsoft Azure and AWS. Most of our services are working normally, but some interruptions may occur.

https://blog.smu.edu/status/2025/10/29/cloud-services-outages-identified/
October 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Today is the day! Join us at 2 p.m. for the SMU Cyber Fair in Moody Atrium for hands-on activities, live demos, food, Wellpower points, and your last chance to earn points and win other small prizes.

✅ Check in at the event to earn points and win prizes!
https://smu360.smu.edu/rsvp?id=389876
October 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The Academic Technology Service Directors are a critical part of SMU OIT's mission to serve faculty in meeting their technology needs. We’ve recently had some changes and exciting news from our ATSDs, and we’d like to share it with the #smu community. https://ow.ly/3VHe50XiNpM
ATSD Update: A New Face and New Awards!
OIT’s Academic Technology Service Directors are a critical part of our mission to serve faculty in meeting their technology needs. We’ve recently had some changes and exciting news from…
ow.ly
October 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
This week's Cybersecurity Awareness Month Challenge is the Cyber Fair — The Grand Finale!

Join us for the #SMU Cyber Fair for hands-on activities, live demos, food, Wellpower points, and your last chance to earn points and win other small prizes.

https://smu360.smu.edu/rsvp?id=389876
October 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Good #cybersecurity isn’t just about spotting scams — it’s about building daily habits that keep you, your family, and the SMU community safe.

Find our how you can carve out time for cyber safety in this week's Cybersecurity Awareness Month update.

https://ow.ly/XJfw50XiM5e #smu

October 27, 2025 at 11:30 PM
We are pleased to announce the publication of this year’s Progress Report. This report provides an inside look at many of the achievements and collaborations within SMU OIT during the past academic year. https://ow.ly/nZzk50XiBBN #smu
October 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Just a reminder that this week's Cybersecurity Awareness Challenge is Report the Phish.🎣 #challengechallenge" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2025/10/21/cybersecurity-awareness-month-spot-scams/#challenge Can you spot one in your email? If you see one, use the Report button and then select "Report Phishing."
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Students, we know your scheduled is busy and things might come up to where you might need to move or cancel your MOS certification exam. Luckily it is pretty easy. Just follow the prompts on https://www.smu.edu/oit/training/certification/cancel-exam and you can reschedule your exam in minutes.
October 23, 2025 at 12:20 AM
It's not just you this morning! An AWS outage is affecting many services, including our friends at Canvas. https://blog.smu.edu/status/2025/10/20/canvas-aws-outage/
October 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Did you know you can now use Microsoft Authenticator and replace Duo Security for most, if not all, of your multi-factor authentications for @SMU services. Plus, you can even enable passkeys to streamline your sign-in experience. Find out more:
https://ow.ly/7Xxz50Xa5jI #smu
Join the Microsoft Authenticator Early Adoption
We’re excited to announce the availability of Microsoft Authenticator for your SMU accounts as an early adopter. Discover how Authenticator will replace Duo Security for most, if not all, of your m…
blog.smu.edu
October 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Be sure to join us this Wednesday, October 15, 2025, for the SMU HR Fair on the lower level of Hughes-Trigg Student Center. Find out what is going on with SMU OIT and Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
https://ow.ly/p6Gb50Xa4Tf #smuhrfair
SMU HR Fair 2025 - Race to a Healthy Future
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October 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
We have already enrolled over 185 staff members in our AI Operation Copilot Bootcamp. Find out how they have started completing the challenges and improving their workflow by harnessing the power of #MicrosoftCopilot. https://ow.ly/NYaW50Xa5wm #smu
How SMU Colleagues Are Leveraging the AI Bootcamp Experience
We have already enrolled over 185 staff members in our AI Operation Copilot Bootcamp. Find out how they have started completing the challenges and improving their workflow by harnessing the power o…
ow.ly
October 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Our latest newsletter features an invitation to a new 2FA solution, a reminder that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we have games and prizes. We also check in with our Al Bootcamp, meet our Web Application Services team, and explore the new !o! Lab.
https://ow.ly/nEkW50X8T2l
October 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Internet of Things (IoT) lab has opened a new studio to provide even more resources for serving SMU researchers, faculty, students, artists, and now, our entrepreneurs across campus. Check out how the new IoT Lab expands interdisciplinary creativity. https://ow.ly/3neY50X8O79
New Internet of Things Lab Expands Interdisciplinary Creativity
In partnership with the Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the IoT lab has opened a new studio to provide even more resources for serving researchers, faculty, students…
ow.ly
October 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This month in Canvas Plus, we'll share two updates to Canvas' grading settings, as well as a Panopto enhancement and some exciting updates for Respondus LockDown Browser. https://ow.ly/bMrn50X8O1e
Canvas Plus: October 2025 Edition
In this edition of Canvas Plus, we share two updates to Canvas’ grading settings, as well as a Panopto enhancement and some exciting updates for Respondus LockDown Browser.
ow.ly
October 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM