Semester Communication - Spring 2026

Dear CNS Faculty and Staff,

As we prepare to kick off the Spring 2026 semester on Monday, January 12, the College of Natural Sciences Office of Information Technology (CNS OIT) would like to share a few important reminders and best practices to ensure a smooth start to your research, academic and administrative activities.

Update Your Devices and Applications Now

Before the first class day, please take the time to run operating system and application updates on all University-owned computers, tablets and mobile devices. This will keep devices performing their best and help avoid device quarantines from the Information Security Office (ISO) due to missing critical updates.

ALERT: Microsoft Windows 10 is OFFICIALLY End Of Life (EOL) as of October 14, 2025. The ISO has begun efforts to send 30 day quarantine notices for all devices that do not have a supported OS and do not have a technical exception filed with the campus Office of Information Security. We ask that you upgrade your Windows 10 device prior to the start of the semester to prevent any potential network quarantines.

Some reminders when running updates:

• Leave devices powered on, connected to power and connected to the network (preferably the UT wired or Wi‑Fi network) for several hours to ensure they receive necessary updates and security patches.

• Updates may require time to download and install, so make sure to factor that in when running through these tasks.

• Always verify you have a backup of your data prior to performing operations system upgrades.

Test Classroom Technology Before Day One

Faculty should plan to:

1. Visit their assigned classroom(s) before the semester begins.

2. Familiarize themselves with AV systems, projectors, mics and lecture capture tools.

If you need support or a walk-through, CNS OIT is available to assist – please don’t wait until the first class! It becomes increasingly difficult to set up a walk-through as we are also working through the rooms to make sure all tech is fully functional for the start of the semester.

Connect with CNS OIT Before Introducing New Technology

If you plan to purchase, bring in or connect any new devices to the campus network (e.g., printers, smartboards, lab equipment, IoT devices), please consult with CNS OIT before purchasing.

Our network environment has compatibility considerations and security restrictions; not all technology is supported without prior review.

Use University-Supported Storage Service

Protect your work by using centrally managed and secure options to store your data in the cloud:

• Microsoft 365 SharePoint and OneDrive: https://office365.utexas.edu for all university data.

• UT Box: https://utexas.app.box.com for research and non-UT affiliated collaborations.

• Campus file servers (if applicable to your department or lab)

These platforms offer safe, compliant and collaborative storage solutions that align with university data policies.

Best Practices for Device Performance

To keep your devices running efficiently throughout the semester:

• Restart your computer at least every two weeks to apply updates and refresh system performance.

• Log in regularly with your UT credentials, especially on managed machines, to ensure systems stay current with university policies and configurations.

New to CNS?

On Behalf of CNS OIT, Welcome! If you have any IT needs, we encourage you to partner with our team to ensure you have the technology required to support your role or area. The University’s technology environment is supported through a combination of centrally managed infrastructure provided by Enterprise Technology and services offered by the CNS Office of IT. Because these environments cannot accommodate all publicly available technologies—and some technologies are restricted or prohibited under guidance from the Information Security Office in accordance with University, State, and Federal requirements—we ask that you consult with our office before purchasing any IT hardware or software for administrative, instructional, or research use. Our team is happy to work with you to identify, procure, and install the appropriate solutions so you can focus on your work with confidence.

Additional Reminders

• Ensure that antivirus tools are active (such as Microsoft Defender or other approved software).

• Back up your data regularly if you’re using local storage (though cloud-based options are preferred).

• Avoid using unsupported or end-of-life software, which poses a risk to the UT network and your work. Campus Networking and ISO regularly monitor for high risk vulnerabilities and will quarantine accordingly which significantly impacts your productivity.

Need Help?

Please reach out to the CNS OIT Help Desk or visit our CNS OIT Wiki for detailed documentation and guidance.

Let’s work together to ensure a secure and disruption-free start to the semester. Thank you for helping keep our digital and instructional environments running smoothly.

Warm regards,

CNS Office of Information Technology
University of Texas at Austin
📧 help@cns.utexas.edu | 🌐 https://cns.utexas.edu/help