Staff computer upgrades are on a staggered 3-year cycle. The departments are divided in thirds, and every year one third of all staff computers are refreshed. This new cycle is manageable for most needs and maximizes our hardware investments.

The following is the schedule for each of the three years of the staff roll:

• Academic Year 2018-‘19
  • Campus Programming
  • Campus Safety & Security
  • Environmental Services
  • Facilities Services
  • Financial Aid
  • Financial Services
  • ITS
  • Legends Center
  • Library
  • Media Relations
  • Music
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Student Activities
  • Visual Media
• Academic Year 2019-’20
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • Communications & Marketing
  • Counseling Service
  • Development
  • Dining Services
  • Document Center
  • Health Service
  • Mail Center
  • KWLC Radio
  • Publications
  • Student Academic Support Center
  • Sports Information
  • Web Content
• Academic Year 2020-‘21
  • Administrative Services
  • Book Shop
  • Career Center
  • Chips
  • College Ministries
  • Dean’s Office
  • Diversity Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Global Learning
  • President’s Office
  • Regents Center
  • Residence Life
  • Student Life
  • TRIO
  • Wellness

Notes

As part of the College’s cost-saving measures, this refresh cycle ITS will be “supercharging” computers (increasing RAM to 8GB, switching to 240 GB SSDs, refreshing software) rather than purchasing new computers.

In addition, the College is moving from Macs to Windows computers where possible due to Apple’s recent design decisions that hinder the ability of ITS to perform upgrades and repairs, along with Apple’s increasing price structure. Some of Luther's current Apple hardware can be upgraded, and some cannot. Mac users may continue using Apple hardware as long as ITS has a supply of inventory that can be "supercharged".

Software

The new and upgraded systems will automatically be loaded with the standard software that we provide to offices on campus. This includes Microsoft Office 2016, Adobe Creative Cloud, Firefox, Chrome, Citrix, Media Players (Quicktime, Windows Media Player) and various utilities for managing computer files.

Software available on faculty PCs '17-'18 (PDF) | Software available on faculty Macs '17-'18 (PDF)
Software available on faculty PCs '16-'17 (PDF) | Software available on faculty Macs '16-'17 (PDF)

Upgrade Process

The upgrade procedure is initiated by ITS. ITS contacts the department selected as next for upgrading to schedule a meeting with the members of the department. At the meeting, handouts are distributed that show current hardware, room number, and ITS inventory “name”of each workstation and printer. We discuss the each workstation and printer, and answer questions about peripherals, accessories, etc. At the meeting, we will schedule pertinent training for the department and begin to schedule the upgrades for the computers within the department. The intent is for the power users to be upgraded first in each department so they are able to help others in the department use new hardware and software more effectively.

The following upgrade conversations were held during the 2018-19 year:

• Oct 9 - Financial Aid
• Oct 16 - Student Activities
• Oct 30 - Environmental Services, Facilities Services
• Oct 31 - Registrar's
• Dec 13 - Campus Programming
• Dec 19 - Campus Safety & Security
• March - Music
• Completed prior - Financial Services, Legends
• On hold - Media Relations, Visual Media
• In progress - ITS, Library

 The following upgrade conversations were held during the 2017-18 year:

• Oct 16 - OAIR
• Oct 24 - Human Resources
• Oct 27 - Career Center
• Nov 1 - Dean's Office
• Nov 9 - Wellness
• Nov 13 - Residence Life
• Nov 29 - Center for Global Learning
• Jan 4 - Regents Center
• Jan 4 - TRIO
• Jan 10 - Diversity Center
• Jan 16 - College Ministries
• Jan 22 - Student Life
• Jan 29 - President's Office, Administrative Services
• Mar 19 - Book Shop
• Completed prior: Chips

The following upgrade conversations were held during the 2016-17 year:

• Jan 9 - Admissions
• Jan 17 - Alumni
• Jan 17 - Development
• Feb 21 - Health Service
• Feb 28 - Student Academic Support Center
• Also Complete - Counseling Service, Document Center, KWLC Radio, Mail Center, Sports Information, Web Content
• Remaining - Communications & Marketing, Dining Services, Publications

The following upgrade conversations were held during the 2015-16 year:

• Oct 8 - Financial Services
• Oct 13 - Registrar’s Office
• Oct 26 - Financial Aid
• Nov 23 - Recreational Sports
• Nov 24 - Legends Center
• Dec 2 - Campus Safety & Security
• Dec 7 - Custodial Services & Facilities Services
• Dec 10 - Student Activities
• Jan 29 - Media Relations & Visual Media
• Mar 14 - Campus Programming
• Summer 2015: Music
• Fall 2015: ITS