Tip: Change the Case of Text in Excel

Assuming that column A, cells 1 through 5 contain the text you wish to convert to all uppercase:

• Insert a column to the right of column A by selecting column B and clicking Columns on the Insert menu. (You don't need to do this if column B is empty.)
• Type the following formula in cell B1
  =UPPER(A1) 
  
• In column B, select all the cells to the right of the cells that contain data in column A. In this example it would be cells B1 through B5.
• On the Edit menu, point to Fill, and then click Down.  Column B now contains the uppercase version of the text in column A.
• With the same range selected, click Copy on the Edit menu.
• Select cell A1, and click Paste Special on the Edit menu.  In the Paste Special window, click Values, and click OK to past the converted values back on top of column A.
• Delete the contents of column B. (If this was a column you inserted, delete the entire column by selecting the column and clicking Delete on the Edit menu.
  

You can do the reverse of changing text to all lower case by substituting the formula with =LOWER(cell range). 

Information Technology Services Annual Report 2006-07

Michael Sherer, Director ITS

Executive Summary
If I had to choose a theme for the year it would be "Leveraging the Present, Envisioning the Future."  Over the past decade we have moved Goshen College technology forward  dramatically.  These improvements have created opportunities that we are now taking advantage of--new web-based alumni services, document tracking for incoming freshmen, online event sign-ups for Alumni weekend, conferences, and alumni trips, etc.  These are advances that save money, improve service, and help us build and strengthen relationships.  At the same time, we are looking to the future, working to consolidate gains, improve management, efficiency, security and capacity, spot new trends--all in an effort to lay a solid foundation for the future.  To move forward you must often question even basic assumptions so the past year was a time for rethinking many foundational computing paradigms and services as industry trends like mobile computing, open source software, Web 2.0 services, virtualization, multi-core processors, storage networking, and HD video create new opportunities.  Increasing demand from departments for strategic IT services is also fueling the need for increased manageability, recoverability and uptime.  Changes we make in the coming 1-3 years, including the recently approved 21st century network upgrade,  will lay the foundation for the next decade of computing at Goshen College.

Introduction
2007 marked the tenth year of IT Director Michael Sherer's tenure at Goshen College. It's been a decade marked by rapid growth, staff stability, increasing IT maturity, continuous improvement,  flat budgets and incremental change that has cumulatively become radical change.  From our vantage point in 2007, it's easy to forget that in July 1997:
    o  there was no residential network
    o  there was no wireless network
    o  GC had no web applications
    o  GC had no centralized authentication
    o  there was no instant messaging
    o  college students didn't have cell phones
    o  college students didn't have laptops
    o  Blackboard was writing surface not a web service
    o  There was no M: drive
    o  GC PC's were running Windows 3.1
    o  LCD's were watch displays
    o  there were no iPods
    o  there was no Google
    o  there was no Wikipedia
    o  there was no Facebook or MySpace
    o  there was no spam
    o  there were no email viruses
    o  there was no spyware
    o  hard drive sizes were measured in Megabytes not Gigabytes
    o  GC owned one digital camera--an Apple QuickTake that took pictures at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels
    o  Video cameras recorded to VHS tapes
    o  PC's cost $2,000
    o  We still had a card catalog in the library
The technological change visited on Goshen College in the last decade has transformed the way we run GC, the way teach our classes, the way we access and manage information, the way we think about research and publishing, the way we communicate and collaborate with one another, the way we work, the way we shop, the way we entertain ourselves, the way we provide and consume services--it has touched almost every area of our lives. Now as we look to the next decade, we know that the pace of change is accelerating.  Thus, we can only assume that the technological change we have already witnessed is just a prelude for what is to come.   In the short term, we see the key technology drivers being
    Virtualization
    Storage Management
    High Definition Video
    Mobile Computing
    Wireless Networking
    High Speed Wired Networks/Optical Networks
    Security-related technologies
    Web Services

Paradoxically, 2006-07 was somewhat of a letup--like the eye of a hurricane.  Windows Vista  and Mac OS X Leopard were both delayed and won't be widely deployed across higher ed until at least Summer 2008.  Our desktop PC's are almost all Athlon 64's and are in good shape for the moment.  And so, we have been working to define the future computing environment at Goshen College--one that consolidates gains, leverages the improvements and new capabilities we have already put in place, and lays a solid foundation for adopting new, transformational technologies in the years to come. 

ITS Accomplishments for Academic Year 2006-07

Academics
o  The classroom masterplan was approved by the Academic Dean. 
o  A Khmer language class was successfully taught in Wyse 3rd using plowshares video conferencing equipment.  The teacher was from Northwestern.
o  Did broader testing of Moodle with GC faculty during Spring 2007.  Faculty are generally pleased, but don't like the gradebook.
o  AD 35 and CC 112 are getting multimedia upgrades during Summer 2007
o  CC 110 is getting an updated podium and lighting improvements during Summer 2007

Admission
o   Reworked the Early Registration Process around 20 new Dell Inspiron 1501 laptops.
o   Rolled out a document tracking system for student life/admissions that took most routine paperwork online for incoming students.  Mandy Yoder estimates that it saved $1,000-$1,500 in postage.

Labs
o  PC's were upgraded to Athlon 64-based PC's with 1 GB RAM and 20" LCD monitors during Summer 2006
o  Vista was evaluated for use in the labs and like most schools in the country we are holding off until at least Summer 2008 while Microsoft addresses new release glitches and third part software vendors update their software.
o  Mac OS X Leopard was delayed until October 2007, so a transition to the latest Mac OS will also likely wait until Summer 2008.
o  Carpeting is being installed in Library Lab Summer 2007.  This should quiet the room and make it easier to maintain.

Offices
o  Placed 30 Mac Minis in offices to replace aging PowerMac G4's.

Mobile Computing
o  Dealt with issues related to transition to daylight saving time in 2006 and the federally mandated move to earlier DST in 2007.
o  Equipped Jim Brenneman and Will Jones with Palm Treo 750P's.  Ryan Rittenhouse has been equipped with one as well to assist in providing better support to Will and Jim.  SyncML support has been added to Oracle Calendar to facilitate synchronization of appointments.
o  The laptop upgrade team recommended the purchase of 30 Lenovo Z61 laptops for campus PC laptop users.  This large purchase will reduce model diversity and lower maintenance and support costs.  The new models also have several security enhancements. These units are being placed during Summer 2007.

Printing
o  Placed several HP 2015DN printers, replacing aging HP LaserJet IV's.
o  Added a duplexers to Schertz and Library lab printers at the request of the EcoPax club in an effort to save paper.

ResNet
o  Upgraded to the latest version of CAT (Client Assessment Tool) to help ensure that student computers connecting to our network met minimum security requirements.
o   Introduced significantly improved documentation for ResNet users and RA's/RD's to help them get students connected to ResNet.
o   Re-architected the CableTV system to move from 3 systems down to 1.  Implementation for this is underway in Summer 2007.

Data Systems
o   Did some R&D work on an institutional reporting infrastructure using Jasper Reports and Pentaho.  Galen Graber's departure (Institutional Research) put that project on hold.
o   Renewed our Jenzabar support contract, eliminating several unnecessary modules.

ITS Media
o  Provided a high level of support (106 hrs) for the Brenneman Inauguration Weekend including PowerPoint and multi-mic setup + live video at the Friday Convo, portable sound and live video at the dunking, audio for Associates Breakfast (anything else?), 4 big screen TV's with custom DVD production, AV support and rehearsal for 5+ acts at the Brenneman bash + live sound.  Live sound for multiple musical events and live video and a feed to Greencroft at the Sunday inaugural.
o   Purchased a 42" Plasma display which has been heavily used for events and was sent to San Jose for the GC booth.
o   Funded a RedPost digital sign for community arts events outside the Welcome Center
o   Renovated Wyse 318 to rake seating and better facilitate Videoconferencing.
o   Partnered with SST office to purchase Filemaker Server Advanced, now hosting SST databases on ITSMedia Filemaker server
o   Upgraded EZ News (Television journalism software) server from Win XP on a PC 2002 to new hardware running Microsoft Server 2003
o   Responded to FAA and FCC allegations that WGCS was source of Air Traffic Control interference by providing proof of performance data
o   Audited WGCS compliance with FCC rules and created Chief Operating Officer (Dan Stutzman) role as mandated by FCC
o   implemented web based alarm and monitoring system to meet FCC requirements for Tower lights and transmitter power management
o   Completed installation and configuration of hardware and software related to new NPR content delivery system at WGCS
o   Researched, recommended and purchased equipment for new laptop deployment
o   Developed internal department Wiki for staff use
o   Supported (consulted, trained personnel, and prepared equipment) Peace and Justice Journalism trip led by Beth Martin Birky to Costa Rica
o   Developed concepts for San Jose booth, including utilization of the Wii video game console and Apple TV video playback device
o   Took over equipment management for the Record's Digital still cameras and consulted with Duane Stoltzfus on additional purchases
o   Upgraded fleet of digital still cameras
o   researched use of Boot camp and Parralells as tools for running Windows on Mac hardware
o   Supported field gear deployments for students creating award winning documentary Fuerza
o   Began conversations with College Mennonite Church to define AV support environment and to define contracts with outside vendors for support of college mennonite systems (rephrase)
o   Designed and installed new PA and music playback system for the Softball field
o   Added HDTV reception for Connector 3rd Projection television
o   Built fiber video link between Sauder and Greencroft
o   Rewired all existing Senior Apartments installing Cable drops in each bedroom (48 rooms)

Network Services
o   Dropped traffic shaping from our DS3 with no ill-effects.  We continue to wait for an acceptable plan for connecting to iLight.  Last mile connections have been funded by the state, so we anticipate this will happen in the next 12-24 months.
o   Oracle Calendar was upgraded to the latest version in August 2006.  It was a difficult upgrade and necessitated some manual data entry.  ITS provided student labor for the data entry to those who requested assistance.
o   Rolled out a bulk mailing solution for Admission and College Relations written by Ryan Rittenhouse.
o   Reworked the formatting of the Campus Communicator email so that it was easier to read
o   Upgraded dns.goshen.edu to current software and security standards.
o  Rolled out RoundCube webmail and retired Horde webmail.
o   Considered and rejected online ticketing with input from College Relations.  Alumni Services' priority is currently providing a high-level of service that would need to be compromised in some ways to go online.
o   We eliminated one T1 for our dial-up server and are in the process of phasing out dial-up service for students based on declining usage.  This saves the institution approximately $5,000 per year.
o  We have been upgrading our fiber optic backbone for improved Cable TV services and a 10 Gb ethernet backbone upgrade.  That project is scheduled to be complete Summer 2007.
o  We have done significant planning for our next generation network upgrade.   Initial funding for the project has been approved and a reasonable plan is taking shape for implementation during 2007-08.

Web
o   Implemented FlashChat for Admission to do scheduled online chats in Fall 2006.  The software worked well, but the chats were not well attended.
o   Online event sign-up for Alumni Homecoming Weekend debuted in Fall 2006.  The service was highly successful, enabling the alumni office to provide better information about attendance to class coordinators and saving around 40 hours in data entry and reporting labor.  The form for Fall 2007 has been updated and is ready for testing.
o   Updated www.goshen.edu to new hardware that is 2-4 times faster.
o   Rolled out alumni web services Fall 2006, including an online alumni directory, editable user profiles, messaging, newsnotes and information update.
o   Ported the campus Materials Safety Data Sheet database to the web, thereby making it accessible to the entire campus.
o   Rolled out FACTS e-cashier (online tuitions payments) for the Accounting office, Fall 2006
o   Added multi-lingual capabilities to Caravel to service the CITL website needs.
o  Created a simple  workflow application for Caravel that facilitates creating simple workflow applications.  A first instance for vacation/sick leave hours is currently in testing.
o   Set up BookNow for Follet's to streamline textbook ordering for students.
o   Set up initial CITL website.

Video
o  ITS Media assisted and supported Ron Johnson in doing a multi-camera webcast of men's and women's basketball
o  Provided systems, technical and logistical support for the second telecast of Festival of Carols which appeared on WNIT-TV
o  A comprehensive plan for video has been greenlighted with probable implementation for Fall 2007.

Security
o   A www security event caused us to rebuild www from scratch.  The root cause of the breach was a retired faculty member whose password was the same as his username. No serious damage was done, but it caused us a lot of work.
o   Our secure password policy became mandatory as a result of the www incident
o   Upgraded the campus to Sophos v6 which gave improved anti-spyware protection.
o   A security breech in May may have exposed sensitive personal data and triggered Indiana's new law requiring notification of such events.  There have been no known identity theft incidents resulting from the breech, but it has been a catalyst for examining data security practices at all levels of the institution.
o   Deployed a SonicWall VPN appliance to provide secure remote access to mobile PC users.

Planning/Administration
o  Revised the IT Advisory infrastructure.  The Admin Computing Committee has adopted the new model.  The Academic Computing Committee is still to be implemented.
o  Reconstituted the GC Web Team and updated strategic web planning documents, bringing new staff and leadership on board.
o  Established initial technology spending priorities for CITL

Personnel
o  Hired Kim Snyder as a half-time office supervisor for ITS Media
o  Sarah Mlotshwa (ITS Media) took a one month trip to Zimbabwe in September/October.  Dan Stutzman filled in during that time.
o  Todd Hershberger (ITS Media) resigned in Fall 2006.  He has replaced by Dan Stutzman.
o  Michael Sherer applied for and received approval for a sabbatical during the first half of 2008.
o  Paul Ortman took a one month leave from April to May.
o  Pete Oakley, Mac consultant, resigned effective July 29, 2007, after 9 years of service.  We are currently arranging coverage.

Conferences and Training
o  Jenzabar Admissions module training, attended by Paul Ortman
o  Educause 2006, Dallas, TX, attended by Michael Sherer
o  ICI Tech Summit, Terre Haute, IN, attended by Michael Sherer
o  EduTech, Dallas, TX, attended by Michael Sherer
o  Jam 2007, Orlando, FL, attended by Gordon Bontrager, Theo Budiardja and Michael Sherer
o  Labman 2007, Cincinatti, OH, attended by Kevin Gross and Pam Osborne

Key Performance Indicators
Staffing:  1997-1998  11 FTE   2007-2008  15.4 FTE
Computers:  1997-1998  300 Institutionally owned computers   2007-2008  851 Institutionally owned computers
Network:  1997-1998  950 live network ports   2007-2008  3500 live network ports
Supported Events:     1998-1999 = 180      2006-2007 = 670
Multimedia Classrooms:  1997-1998 = 8     2007-2008 = 32
Financial:  1997-1998 IT $/Student FTE = $665    2007-2008  IT $/Student FTE =  $1029 Est.   10 year average =  $982
Financial:  1997-1998 IT as a percent of total institutional budget - FA = 2.82%    2007-2008  IT as a percent of total institutional budget - FA = 3.91% Est.   10 year average = 4.44%
Tuition: 1997-1998  $11,450     2007-2008  $20,300

KPI Goals for 2007-08
ITS KPI Goals for 2007-08 are focused on expanding beyond quantitative data to qualitative data.  This will include service uptime and a simple customer satisfaction benchmark survey.

Review Goals for 2006-07
We made significant progress on last year's goals:
o  Understand and help achieve the goals and priorities of the new Brenneman administration.   We redid the ITS Strategic Plan to mirror the structure of the Campus Strategic Plan for 2005-2010.
o  Begin working with Departments on their Technology Plans, as called for in the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan.  This process was begun through the Administrative Computing Committee.
o  Successfully implement the new IT Planning/Advisory Infrastructure.  Administrative Computing is functioning and Academic Computing will start up this fall.
o  Continue to advance the Classroom Masterplan agenda.  The Master Plan was approved by the Dean in Fall 2006.  President's Council approved $40,000 in classroom upgrades for Summer 2007 based on the priorities growing out of the Classroom Master Plan document.
o  Promote and leverage Caravel's application development, content management and community building capabilities.  There have been many new departmental sites created using Caravel and many useful applications built using the form builder and e-commerce/event-signup tools.
o  Begin preparation for Vista and Mac OS X Leopard upgrades.  This is underway.
o  Evaluate and potentially implement Jasper Reports/iReport for enterprise-level reporting.  This project has been on hold since Galen Graber left.
o  Continue nurturing strategic relationships with key departments.  This is ongoing.
o  Sort out remaining issues with CALEA, iLight2, PCI compliance, other legislative mandates.  We have declared ourselves exempt from CALEA, iLight2 is still up in the air, PCI Compliance may become a hotter issue if Visa starts charging different rates for those places that are certified PCI compliant.
o  Continue to raise the profile of security and privacy issues both within ITS and in the user community.
o  Continue to demonstrate that external collaboration and entrepreneurial IT can generate value and revenue to help us achieve our IT goals. 

Challenges and Opportunities
As we look ahead to 2007-08 the challenges fall into 3 basic categories:
1)  Financial.  It's clear that we are going to upgrade our network backbone and building networks, but it's not clear that we can afford the network we'd like to have (HP, fully-managed, enterprise-grade equipment).  Dollars are tight across the institution and we need to be good stewards of the institution's resources, even as we work to make strategic investments that move the college forward towards the goals outlined in the campus master plan. 
2)  Technological.  The IT industry is in transition.  Virtualization is changing the way we think about servers, storage and desktop clients.  Microsoft's seemingly unstoppable grip on computing has been loosened by web technologies, Google, Apple, Linux, and a relatively tepid reception to Windows Vista.  There is talk of transitioning away from Windows in some quarters of academia, but at this point, no groundswell.  We can and will stay put for awhile, but will eventually need to make a decision here.  We have defined the future desktop computing model as a large LCD, keyboard and mouse attached to an indeterminate computing device.  Figuring out what that computing device or devices will be is one of the key challenges of the next 1-3 years.  These are questions without clear right or wrong answers.  Some directions could lead to lower cost computing models, others to greater flexibility and choice. 
3)  Human. Technology allows us each to raise our own game. Stepping up and doing it, and doing it as rapidly as our competitors is one of the key challenges going forward.  Embracing the best ideas and moving them forward rapidly and successfully is what we ALL need to be about. 
   
The opportunities are all about using technology to improve the way we teach, learn, administer and serve the campus computing.  Our efforts to strengthen the video infrastructure will have a dramatic impact on the Communications program, Public Relations and ASL, our investments in web services will continue to improve the way we provide services to our constituencies. 

2007-08 Goals and Strategies
We have identified the following goals for 2007-08
o  Complete an IT Infrastructure Plan that focuses the work of ITS Tech
o  Refocus the work of ITS Support around promoting strategic use of technology
o  Assist Communications and Public Relations in transitioning to HD video
o  Create a foundation for virtualized servers
o  Complete CableTV consolidation project
o  Complete our 21st Century Network upgrade
o  Transition from PowerPC to Intel hardware for Mac users
o  Continue working with Departments on their Technology Plans, as called for in the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan.
o  Launch the Academic Technology Committee
o  Continue to work at defining our preferred future desktop computing paradigms.
o  Continue to advance the Classroom Masterplan agenda
o  Continue to raise the profile of security and privacy issues both within ITS and in the user community.

Five Years Out
The ITS Strategic Plan sets forth a vision of a new "Age of Empowerment" where the convergences of unlimited processing power, storage, network and Internet bandwidth, ubiquitous digital media and Internet, low-cost/no-cost professional tools, open standards and Internet services combine to create a fundamentally new reality.  We expect that the infrastructure that drives that new reality to be significantly in place within five years.  The network upgrade is planned, the first phase of the storage infrastructure is in testing, processing power is already ahead of user demand in most cases.  Our hope is that through alignment and dialog with departmental and executive leadership we can help the college move institutional business processes, curriculum and pedagogy forward in ways that leverage these new opportunities to advance GC's strategic objectives and keep the college competitive with or ahead of our peer institutions.  This will take a sustained commitment across the institution to good planning and management and the larger college goals over the coming years if we are to realize our full potential.

Conclusion
ITS begins 2007-08 with renewed focus on the institution's top priorities, and a watchful eye on technologies that are emerging or in transition.  We believe the institution is making the necessary investments to help move the college forward and stay competitive with other schools, even in the context of tight budgets.  The new year will be one where we see significant updates to key technology infrastructure components--the network backbone, the storage infrastructure, the building networks, the CableTV system, the wireless network.  Our technology infrastructure defines the possible.  It is a launch pad for new, creative, innovative ideas, programs and activities for everyone on campus.  With a renewed emphasis on planning and prioritization, together we can advance departmental and institutional strategic objectives, and have fun doing it.