IT SERVICES CONTINUITY

Technology services such as Canvas, Zoom, Teams, and VPN all enable the Mines community to continue a wide variety of operations “virtually” in the event of an emergency.  Maintaining access to campus facilities and keeping facilities safe from danger is a top priority.

ITS formed seven distinct working groups to assist the Mines community in the event that the Mines campus shifts to remote learning and working.  Currently, 97% of ITS staff are capable of working remotely.  In the event of an emergency, traditional methods of contacting team members and supervisors may be impaired.  The ITS team expects to be working exclusively remotely.  However, the need may arise for select staff to work on campus for limited periods to perform essential functions at the direction of ITS Leadership.  ​

Additionally, due to the nature of the COVID-19 virus, many team members and decision makers may be ill and unreachable, making it necessary to step outside the normal “chain of command”.  While we know that Service Level Agreements (SLAs) might be affected, ITS has developed a staffing model to cover operations.

As part of the ITS Pandemic Business Continuity Planning, we are implementing actions in the following areas:

CONTINUITY OF TEACHING, LEARNING, COLLABORATION, AND CONNECTIVITY

• In the event normal campus operations or activities are disrupted for an extended period of time due to emergencies — including Coronavirus (COVID-19) —  information, resources and strategies will be available to support continuing teaching and learning primarily in a remote environment​.
• For further information, visit the Canvas Course available at: https://elearning.mines.edu/courses/27436​
• Whether you need help adding your first course to Canvas or have general questions about how to keep your class running, refer to the resources available via the Trefny Center, or contact ITS via the Mines Help Center​.

Currently in Place:

• Canvas course with all the resources needed for temporarily delivering classes remotely with minimal notice
• Asynchronous teaching tools​
• Zoom Pro
• MS Teams for help sessions and other collaboration needs​
• Remote Access to lab computer software​
• MS Teams and Zoom tutorials/workshops​

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND SYSTEMS

All essential systems will be available.

• Maximized up-time of essential systems within the Mines environment that are core to business and operational functions is a priority.
• Examples of essential systems include: ERP, Internet Service, data centers, support for HVAC, dining services, etc.
• If you have lost or degraded access to an essential system, please contact the Mines Help Center​.

RESEARCH COMPUTING SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT

There is a potential for increased demand for research computing resources if researchers have reduced access to their local computing infrastructure. The Cyber Infrastructure and Advanced Research Computing (CIARC) group will aim to support research requirements to the greatest extent possible.

• Continued maintenance and support of three high performance computing (HPC) clusters on campus​
• Providing class, new user and application support for HPC​
• Maintaining research storage infrastructure​
• Assisting users in setting up data transfer workflows​
• Developing a virtual 1:1 schedule with researchers

For additional support, see the CIARC site or submit a Mines Help Center request.

MINES COMMUNICATION RESOURCES

Communication is essential in ensuring calm, coordinating actions among stakeholders, and mobilizing resources to maintain academic and business operations to the greatest extent possible.