News from the ITS Help Desk - January 2026

Summary

This month’s ITS newsletter provides important updates on where and how to get technology-related support at Allan Hancock College, including current Help Desk hours, Canvas support guidance, and the appropriate offices for student and employee account changes. It also shares high-level updates from the Technology Council and its subcommittees. Finally, the newsletter features a technology awareness article explaining why work and school accounts should not be used for personal services.

Body

Key Support Locations and Processes

As we begin the spring term, here’s a quick refresher on where to go for common support needs and how services are structured across campus.

ITS Help Desk

  • Location: Library

  • Week of January 20, 2026

    • Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

    • Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • Beginning the following week:

    • In-person support: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in the Library

    • Monday–Friday: ITS support remains available by appointment during regular business hours

This adjusted schedule allows ITS to balance in-person assistance with behind-the-scenes work that supports systems, classrooms, and campus services.

Canvas Support

🔗 https://www.hancockcollege.edu/online/canvas.php

Canvas is not managed by ITS, and ITS does not have administrative access to Canvas.

For Canvas-related assistance (courses, enrollments, grades, or functionality):

  • Contact Distance Education, or

  • Use the Canvas support options listed on the Canvas webpage above

Reaching out through the correct support channel ensures faster and more accurate assistance.

Admissions and Records

Student Services – Building A

Admissions and Records can assist students with:

  • Registration help

  • Student username changes

  • Transcript questions

  • Updates to personal contact information (including email used for OTP / verification)

💡 If a student can sign into the portal but is experiencing registration issues, Admissions and Records is the correct first point of contact.

Human Resources (HR)

Building B-205

Human Resources assists employees with:

  • Legal name changes

  • Updates to personal contact information (including email addresses used for OTP / verification)

These updates must be completed with HR before related system changes can occur.

Essential Articles and Ticket Requests

Updates from Technology Council and Committees

  • Web Services Committee
    • Schedule: Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the 1st Thursday, from 9:30-11:00 am.
    • No Update
  • Educational Technology Advisory Committee (EdTAC)
    • Schedule: Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, from 2:30-4:00 pm.
    • No Update
  • Banner Committee
    • Schedule: Meetings are held monthly, usually on the 2nd Monday, from 9:00 - 10:30 am.
    • Update: Multiple Banner database upgrades successful. Scheduled future upgrades and updated project list.
  • Technology Council
    • Schedule: Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, from 2:30-4:00 pm.
    • No Update

💡 Tech Corner: When Not to Use Your Work or School Accounts 

In today’s digital world, a single login can unlock email, cloud storage, software, devices, and even personal memories. Because of that convenience, it’s easy to let a work or school account quietly become your “main” account for everything. But that convenience can come at a cost. 

Whether you’re a student, staff member, or employee anywhere in the workforce, accounts provided by an organization are not personally owned — and that distinction matters more than many people realize. 

Who really controls a work or school account? 

Work and school accounts are created, managed, and ultimately controlled by the organization that provides them. That organization is responsible for: 

  • Security and compliance 

  • Access permissions 

  • Account retention and deletion 

When your relationship with that organization changes — such as graduating, changing jobs, or leaving a position — your access may be limited or removed entirely. This can happen on a schedule, or immediately, depending on policy or security needs. 

Where problems tend to start 

Issues arise when work or school accounts are used for personal services, such as: 

  • Activating new laptops or phones 

  • Personal subscriptions or streaming services 

  • Video games and gaming platforms 

  • Personal cloud storage 

  • Banking, financial apps, or password recovery emails 

At the time, it may feel harmless — especially if it’s the only active account available. But once access is removed, recovering those services or data may be difficult or impossible. 

A common example 

A frequent scenario involves using a work-provided Microsoft account to set up a new computer or device. That account may later be: 

  • Disabled 

  • Converted to limited access 

  • Removed entirely 

If that account was used as the primary login or recovery method, the device owner may lose access to files, settings, or recovery options — even though the device itself is personal. 

The safer approach 

The best practice is simple: 

  • Use a personal email account that you fully control to: 

  • Set up devices 

  • Manage recovery options 

  • Register personal services 

  • Use work or school accounts only for: 

  • Organization-provided systems 

  • Licensed software (such as Office or Adobe) 

  • Required academic or job-related services 

This separation protects your personal data and ensures continuity when your role changes. 

Why this matters long-term 

Careers evolve. Students graduate. Jobs change. Technology accounts, however, remember everything. Keeping personal and organizational accounts separated reduces risk, avoids future headaches, and gives you long-term control over your digital life. 

A little separation now can prevent a lot of frustration later. 

December 2025 Ticket Summary

Here’s a brief overview of ITS activity:
Total Tickets (Whole Department)

  • October: 593
  • November: 431
  • December: 346

Location-less Tickets

233 tickets had no location specified.

Lompoc Valley Campus (LVC) Tickets

12 tickets originated from the Lompoc Valley Campus.

Top 5 Forms Used at LVC:

  1. Install Something: 7
  2. Something Broke: 3
  3. Service Request: 2

Only 3 unique forms used

5 Most Common Request Locations:

  1. LVC 5: 5
  2. LVC 2: 4
  3. LVC 1: 2
  4. LVC 9: 1

Only 4 unique buildings submitted ticket requests

Santa Maria Valley Campus (SM) Tickets

133 tickets originated from the Santa Maria Valley Campus.

Top 5 Forms Used at SM Campus:

  1. Something Broke: 66
  2. Install Something: 20
  3. Audio/Visual Event Request: 3
  4. Service Request: 3
  5. VOIP Telephone Request: 3

5 Most Common Request Locations:

  1. Building B: 16
  2. Building A: 16
  3. Building D: 10
  4. Building S: 9
  5. Building K: 6

This newsletter was prepared with assistance from an AI-based writing and research tool to help organize information, improve clarity, and support effective campus communication.

Details

Details

Article ID: 170167
Created
Wed 1/14/26 1:41 PM
Modified
Tue 1/20/26 1:35 PM