Original DoIT Post is available HERE

In this first of a series of updates, we’ll give a description of what HelioCampus (Helio, for short) is and why we’re investing in it, provide an overview of UMBC’s goals for the project, and summarize what we’re currently working on and what’s next.

HelioCampus was established as an independent company after being formed at UMGC. It provides a data analytics platform covering the student lifecycle, institutional finance, and advancement.  Designed to run using Amazon Web Services, Helio provides UMBC with the next-generation decision support services we need to operate more strategically and sustainably (from a financial perspective).  

Put simply, Helio integrates our enterprise data warehouse with advanced reporting and visualization tools.  With it, we’ll be better able to share information from our systems and answer key questions through analytics, data storytelling, and data science and do it easier and faster.  Helio’s a key component of an integrated infrastructure for academic planning, assessment, and analytics and it helps to support our strategic plan, strategic enrollment plan, and the recommendations of our Middle States accreditation Self-Study.  

Our goals for Helio are to broaden and deepen our use of analytics to increase enrollment, improve student success, shorten time to degree, ensure financial sustainability, and accelerate gift giving...all key elements of UMBC’s plans to weather the current environment and position ourselves for growth and success going forward.  

Helio uses Tableau visualization software.  The first set of visualizations and tools, often called dashboards, has already been deployed to a small group of campus users to allow them to test the platform.  These dashboards focus on metrics related to admissions, enrollment, retention, and graduation.  People using Tableau have had very positive reactions to its ease of use and power.

Help keep UMBC students, faculty and safe this semester!

Volunteers are needed:

Sun, 1/24, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sun, 1/24, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

To assist during residential student arrival on campus.

Residential Student Testing Protocol: 

Residential Students will be able to test themselves in their vehicles at arrival.

Prior to arrival on campus resident students will need to download an app and receive a unique, emailed QR code to test.  Some residents may not have the app at arrival and will need assistance from volunteers.  

VOLUNTEER ROLE:  

Volunteer will provide assistance to a small number of resident students who do not have the app.  Volunteers will instruct a student to complete a required form prior to their test.  This task will take just a minute or two and will be accomplished by remaining physically distant.

WHERE?

Volunteers will be stationed in 5  indoor assistance locations where resident students will go if they do not have the app at arrival. 

These indoor assistance locations are:

The Black and Gold Room for apartment community residents (Terrace, Hillside, and West Hill).

The Harbor Café for Erickson Hall residents

The Shriver Lounge for Harbor Hall residents

The Patapsco West Classroom for Patapsco Hall residents

The clubhouse for Walker Ave. residents

Please E-mail John Schaible at schaible@umbc.edu with your desired day(s) and shift(s). More detailed instructions and location assignments will be provided.  

Planning a vritual meeting or event for your department and unsure which platform will work best?  Please review the resources below on Webex Meetings, Webex Events, and Webex Teams.  If you have any questions, contact the AV Services team by submitting an RT ticket 

A PDF providing a brief overview of the various capabilities of available WebEx platforms can be found HERE

NEW!  Video - WebEx Meeting and WebEx Assistant Features (35 minutes)

Video - WebEx Meetings Advanced Training (40 minutes)
WebEx Meetings FAQs

Video - WebEx Events Training (30 minutes)
WebEx Events FAQs

Video - WebEx Teams Training (40 minutes)
WebEx Teams FAQs

You can find additional tips for coordinating virtual events HERE

Is your department considering organizing an on or off-campus event that will include an in-person component?  UMBC Events & Conference Services has curated some helpful resources to assist you with preparing for the approval process.  Please visit HERE to review resources, an overview of the process, and necessary documents that will need to be submitted to receive approval to host campus events.

Please note:  A WebEx recording of the Hosting Events during COVID-19 RoundTable held in September 2020 is 90 minutes long.  The overview/slide presentation of the approval process begins at 5:00 minutes into the recording and lasts for about 10 minutes.

PSS would like to draw attention to the availability of leave time in observance of Juneteenth. The following is an excerpt regarding this from the campus communication sent on June 17th. 

"In partnership with institutions across the University System of Maryland, UMBC encourages faculty, staff, and students to take this opportunity to put our values into action by participating in Juneteenth events and/or increasing their personal knowledge through study and reflection. On Friday, June 19, beginning at 12 p.m, UMBC is offering administrative leave for the remainder of the day to accommodate this work. Please talk with your supervisor to coordinate coverage. Summer classes scheduled to be held after 12 p.m. will also be canceled in observance."