Information Technology Services
TECHNOLOGY KEEPS US TOGETHER ITS RESPONSE TO COVID-19
When COVID-19 appeared in Kentucky in Spring 2020, it brought with it a wave of uncertainty and fear over what was coming next. How will the University of Kentucky continue to operate while keeping students, faculty, and staff safe? More often than not, the answer relied on technology. Every division and team in ITS pulled together to support University efforts in increased accessible technology to allow for continued operations during a pandemic. From the very beginning, members of ITS were involved in addressing issues related to COVID-19. From the START Team to various workstreams, ITS employees gave their expertise and resources to the greater University effort. Internally, within ITS, the ITS Safety Protocol Team established the ITS Playbook for Reinvented Operations which outlined details protocols for ITS employees. Through these high level strategies and protocols, ITS was able to move forward in providing the best services and solutions for employees, while keeping themselves and those around them safe. Safety protocols for UK HealthCare employees additionally caused an increased demand for networks and connectivity in new spaces. The Networking & Infrastructure team installed and designed a high-speed network for Nutter Field House, an over 108,000 square foot athletics facility that was converted into a field hospital for potential overflow patients. “It has been really impressive. I was amazed to see that many people working in complete unison. It was like seeing a swarm of bees making a hive.” - Nicky Craddock, Networking & Infrastructure Networks were also designed and installed to allow UK HealthCare employees to connect and operate equipment in COVID-19 testing center tents in various locations both on and off-campus. To ensure the Spring 2020 semester could continue remotely after Spring Break, ITS teams worked to provide students in need of technology with devices to allow them to continue their course work. The logistics of this distribution involved collaboration with many teams across campus. Additionally, more than ever UK’s collaborative technologies were essential in continuing remote work and learning. Tools like Microsoft Teams, Virtual Den, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Microsoft 365, and more required increased support through infrastructure, knowledge articles, and communications. This included migrating employees in Student Academic Life (SAL) to Microsoft Teams, allowing them to
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