The new tech tab on The University of Alabama’s MyBama sites allows any student, faculty or staff member to access information concerning technology issues or updates on campus.

The tab features an announcement section, which includes updates about the Office of Information Technology, along with other technology resources across campus and updates on network or wireless upgrades.

The new service desk option in the tech tab offers technical support or services to those who submit a “ticket.” For example, if any member of the University is having issues with Blackboard Learning, he or she can log onto MyBama, and submit a ticket to the service desk, Patty Benton, executive director of IT operations, said.

The tech tab will also feature links for any department that uses an E-Tech area, the computer program that provides support for computers in classrooms and labs for class. Any department that does use E-Tech will have a link to their E-Tech area on the tech tab.

Students, faculty and staff members can now find help setting up their wireless devices through the tech tab, along with links to the more useful areas of the OIT, such as how to change a MyBama account password.

Benton said the point of the tech tab is for any member of the University to access information about technical issues or technology without having to leave the site. There are links offered on the tech tab that connect to other websites, but it consolidates the information.

“To me, it’s a one-stop shopping place,” Benton said.

The idea for the tab was pitched over the summer by the OIT, hoping to make it easier to find necessary information about technical services, Benton said. She said the new initiative began operating last month and will be completed by the end of November, with constant changes for simplicity and efficiency.

“It’s just another avenue to get information, so hopefully it will provide some value. If not, I would like to know,” Benton said.

The OIT is requesting feedback from any student, faculty or staff member. If you have any input on how to better support members of the University with technology services, contact the IT Service Desk at (205) 348-5555 or through email at [email protected].