The IT service desk has officially opened in a new location on the first floor of the CCT building, now providing students with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) space. There is currently a contest underway to name the new space.
Replacing the computer lab previously located in the CCT atrium, the IT service team envisioned extra support for BYOD spaces, which allow and encourage individuals to bring their own mobile devices for educational or work purposes.
According to information and instructional technology director Susan Senese, an increasing number of students are bringing their own devices to school. As part of the IT team’s vision, their strategy was to enrich the student experience by providing students with more study spaces that support their own devices, rather than providing them with additional computers.
In addition to the BYOD space located in front of the new IT desk—which will also be used as a space for instructional activities by IT staff—the back of the new centre is equipped with six stations for full-time employees working on special projects and hosting training sessions.
Also new to the IT service desk are different operating hours.
“We’re going from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the hopes of helping staff, faculty, and students throughout the day,” said Michael Young, manager of IT customer service, on Wednesday morning during the grand opening of the service desk. Previous operating hours were 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
According to Young, the new purpose of the space formerly used to run the service desk on the third floor of CCT is yet to be determined.
“The use of the space will be determined in consultation with our faculties department,” said Young in an email to The Medium.
The IT service desk offers UTM staff and students with support related to hardware, software, or classroom technology issues, among other problems and services. TCard and shuttle bus inquiries can also be addressed with the staff.
Currently, more than 10 student employees are being mentored by full-time employees. IT desk members are dressed in red shirts, which is part of the vision in creating a new space, according to Senese.
“When you go to the Apple store and you need help, you look for the employees in the blue shirts and for us, we wanted to provide a richer customer service experience by making it more accessible and easier for students, staff, and faculty to identify us,” said Senese.
The new IT service desk is also holding a contest to name the space. Students can enter by leaving their suggestions in a name suggestion box available at the front desk or by emailing the IT desk at helpdesk.utm@utoronto.ca. The suggestion box will be available until 5 p.m. on January 20 and the grand prizewinner will be rewarded a $100 gift card.
