IT Initiatives
Moving Banner to the Cloud
We are excited to announce GW is modernizing its student information system and human resource system by implementing Ellucian’s Banner Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. This will lead to significant improvements in efficiency and the faculty/staff/student experience.
GWireless & GWconnect Retiring
We are streamlining our GW networks
Network Upgrades
This Summer, GW IT will complete the first full 5 year lifecycle of its network strategic plan. This strategic approach allows us to stay updated with network technology advancements, manage costs, and ensure timely hardware replacement to minimize risk or unplanned interruptions.
Zoom Authentication Changes
GW IT will be making changes to Zoom authentication on August 5, 2024. To enhance security, we will begin requiring that all Zoom accounts using a GW email use GW Single Sign-On (SSO) for authentication. Make sure you are using the SSO button when logging in to Zoom.
Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
GW IT is transitioning to Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to assign account access by role rather than an individual. This approach enhances compliance with data governance and cybersecurity regulations, improves monitoring and auditing, and will strengthen university operations.
New myGW Available
The myGW webpage and mobile app have been redesigned to centralize access to the university’s online services. Along with a fresh look, the new myGW includes customization features that make it easier to find the GW resources that matter to you.
Access the new myGW by visiting go.gwu.edu/mygw. Both sites will be available until the end of the semester.
Tableau Has Moved to the Cloud
The Business Intelligence team has been working for several months on migrating 300+ dashboards from GW's on-prem Tableau server to Tableau Cloud. The migration, which covers different business areas such as Academics, HR, Finance, and Research, will be 100% complete by mid-August.
Upgrade your Phone
GW IT is streamlining phone and voice services to provide a seamless experience, contribute to campus sustainability efforts, and drive efficiency by reducing physical phones.
- Access your GW phone number from anywhere using a software based phone (soft phone).
Microsoft Copilot
Copilot (formerly Bing Chat Enterprise) is now available to GW faculty and staff. Microsoft’s Copilot is a chatbot powered by generative AI, and can be used to find information, research a topic and generate content. GW provides access to Copilot with Data Protection, which offers enhanced security. Copilot data is not saved or shared with Microsoft, and data is not used to train artificial intelligence (AI) models.
GW IT Notifications have a New Look
GW IT has updated the notifications sent by our ticketing system. You will notice new GW branding and helpful links to IT resources. If you have any feedback on how we can continue to make these notifications better, please let us know.
Shibboleth Authentication to GW SSO
GW IT updated authentication for many applications, including InCommon Apps to GW Single Sign On (SSO) on June 26 at 9:00pm. The most popular applications are Sona Systems, PeopleAdmin, REDCap, Elsevier, GW Enterprise Organizational Chart and CourseLeaf. Using GW SSO streamlines access and enables Two-Step Authentication (2SA) to provide additional security.
Alumni Account & Google Storage
In keeping with best practices in higher education to manage storage and to address security concerns, GW will no longer provide Google Drive or Google Calendar to alumni. Your @gwmail.gwu.edu Google email account will continue to be available to you, but it will now have a storage limit of 5GB.
GW IT is also increasing security requirements for all GW accounts. Accounts must have a successful web login annually to remain active. Checking your GW email using a third party email application, like Outlook or Google Mobile App, and forwarding your GW email to another email account does not count as an active login.
EAS to Use SSO Authentication
On May 25, 2024, the Enterprise Accounting System (EAS) was integrated with GW Single Sign On (SSO) for authentication. This initiative streamlined access for new users, reduced GW’s cybersecurity risk, and prevented the need for additional login credentials for many EAS users. This change did not change the system or how you log in to EAS. Please report issues or provide feedback to GW IT.
We Value Your Feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our services and provide the best experience possible.
GW IT is committed to transparency and offers a variety of communication channels that can be customized to meet the needs of every project.
The annual report highlights the progress made during FY 24, and includes a roadmap for our ongoing and future initiatives.