ITS News
ITS News is campus’ main source for ITS news, announcements, updates, tips and more.
Aimed at the wider UNC audience, ITS News gives an opportunity to showcase ITS achievements, communicate changes or new technologies, demonstrate ITS’ value, show that we are good stewards of UNC resources in how we support the University mission and strategic plan and to empower teaching, learning and work.
- ITS News pieces are often republished in other places including The Well and newsletters like WorkWell and can serve as a reference for other coverage, like articles in the Daily Tar Heel.
- ITS News carries authority and is a trusted voice for campus IT issues.
- We share all ITS News pieces to social media and to our internal newsletter, Monday Morning News.
About ITS News
- In 2023, ITS Communications published 76 ITS News articles.
- We aim for coverage from every ITS unit and often write about non-ITS campus partners or collaborators.
Once we’ve identified an idea or communication need, we work with ITS stakeholders, service owners and communications liaisons to produce the ITS News article.
- If there’s an immediate need, we can rush an article in less than 24 hours.
- Most articles take a least a week to work through the process, including reviews, so plan ahead.
- We publish ITS News articles as-needed throughout the week and month, but often align with Monday Morning News or other publication schedules.
- ITS News articles are usually between 400 and 1600 words long, with a minimum word count of 300.
- We often, but don’t always, collect quotes and statements from content owners and stakeholders.
Publication process overview
- Intake and assignment
- Collect talking points, dates, key details, etc.
- Draft article (content owner/stakeholder or Comms)
- Conduct interviews/request quotes (if necessary)
- Pull facts/references to past articles/strategic plan
- Editorial review for brand and writing style
- Content owner/stakeholder review
- Second round of edits/reviews if necessary
- Create WordPress draft with graphics
- Last look for content owners/stakeholders
Types of content in ITS News
Here are some examples of types of ITS News communications we feature. If you have ideas for ITS News content, work with your unit’s Comms Liaison or email Kelly Johnson directly.
Highlighting work ITS performs to keep the University running
- ITS teams play key role in Roper Hall and other campus construction projects
- ITS boosts Wi-Fi in three dorms over summer
- ITS completes largest phone port to date
- Retiring Digital Desk and the end of an era for exam scanning
Examples of collaboration with other groups on campus
- ITS assists with UODI website redesign
- ITS helps roll out smart laundry system for Carolina’s dorms
- ITS assists Carolina Together program
Change communications for large campus audiences
Customer case studies
- ITS Research Computing collaborates with chemistry professor and graduate students
- Why researcher Alexander Murph relies on the Longleaf cluster
Major staff news (appointments, retirements)
- Chelsea Porter appointed new head of DAO
- Paul Rivers joins ITS as Chief Information Security Officer
- Research Computing’s Mike Waldron to retire this month
Leaders’ goals and updates
- MDS manager Dave Scott discusses his first two months on the job
- AVC Kate Hash reflects on past year, shares 2021 priorities
Tech tips
Service promotion/marketing
- Get to know your new phone: softphone takes your office number to go
- 10 things you didn’t know about Wi-Fi at Carolina
- Carolina Gaming Arena opens for more events
First-person guest posts
- Anita Collins: understanding change management and why it matters
- A student’s perspective on digital accessibility training
Landmarks/major milestones/anniversaries
- Carolina’s antenna system marks decade of enabling wireless mobility
- Carolina’s laptop requirement reaches 20 years
- IT Service Desk marks 20 years at Undergraduate Library
Localizing national news to ITS
Events
- Accessibility conference draws more than 300
- Seven ITS staffers to present at 2022 UNC CAUSE conference
- EDUCAUSE conference showcases “world class” program
Meet the (ITS Teams, Liaisons)
- Meet the ITS Team: Enterprise Reporting & Departmental Systems
- Meet the Information Security Liaison: Keith Gerarden
Accomplishments
Q&As
- Risk Assessment: a critical part of protecting University data
- One question: What changes are new AI tools like ChatGPT bringing to your area of IT?