By Rory McNelley, Education and Enrichment Coordinator
During Monday’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Dr. Sheri Thomas, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Information Technology Services (ITS), shared the department’s priorities for the 2026 year.
Thomas shared about a new Xavier platform, Workday. Introduced to student employees as a space to clock in and out, submit timecards and see schedules. It will also replace Banner ID, which serves as a hub for students. Banner is used for registration, checking grades, and accessing financial information. Workday will replace this platform, although the timeline for the transition is unknown.
Another new system which has been implemented at the start of the semester is 25Live. In previous years there have been separate reservation platforms for rooms in academic buildings, Cintas and the Gallagher Student Center (GSC). Now, all systems are consolidated into one platform, 25Live, where students and faculty alike can reserve spaces for a variety of reasons. Consolidating unnecessary platforms is one of ITS’s major priorities, according to Thomas.
Other initiatives moving forward this year are the restoration of Schmidt Hall, which experienced flooding over the winter break, a refresh of classrooms in the HUB and deployment of new cybersecurity training to new and existing Xavier students. The training will be mandatory for all new incoming students, but not required for those already enrolled.
Another big priority for ITS is addressing new technology like AI and its proper uses in the academic setting. The office plans to provide AI Proof of Values (POVs) to Xavier faculty and students to support development of the resource on campus. Improving infrastructure which supports this development is another priority for the department.
ITS is also supporting the construction of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, including the best up-to-date technological advances for the building. ITS is also looking to improve the Network and WI-FI access each year.
Thomas also shared that Canva Pro is now available to all Xavier students for free using their Xavier email to log in.
In other news:
- Concern was raised about new game day parking processes and its effects on on-campus residents.
- Students are also concerned about a decrease in options in the Caf which the senate is working to address.
- Three new clubs reached conditional status, and two clubs have been disbanded: Network of Enlightened Women and International Business.
- President Tyrae Walker and Vice President Ivan Colmenares shared about enhancements to the yard that are in progress. Heating technologies and outdoor structures are current options being looked at with the Office of the President.
- Progress is being made to bring Greek life to Xavier’s campus. Though this will start small, meetings are taking place to establish one or two new chapters for the fall. Greek housing is not planned or foreseen in the future.