April 7, 2026
Expanded Automated Application Patching Strengthens Campus Security for Windows Endpoints
Engagement & Experience
In collaboration with ISO
Enterprise Technology expanded and standardized automated application patching across campus by shifting to a global, default-on model for all Windows endpoints. This included significantly increasing the number of supported application titles, automating quarterly title additions, and implementing governed exceptions in partnership with the Information Security Office. The updated model increased automated patch coverage by approximately 65 percent, expanding from about 350 to nearly 1,000 application titles. Adoption now includes 100 percent of Windows endpoints with no manual opt-in, reducing operational burden for ITSOs and improving consistency and security across University-managed devices. Previously, application patching reached most Windows endpoints but only a limited subset of available update titles, requiring manual opt-in and custom deployments by distributed IT teams. This approach left many update opportunities unused and created uneven patch coverage across campus environments.
Release of ID Card Batch Printing Reduces Improves Student Experience by Reducing Customer Wait Times
Campus Solutions
In collaboration with Engagement & Experience
The Web Custom Solutions team has expanded UT's integration with Instant ID to make it possible for ID Support staff to print up to 50 ID cards at one time. This is a vast improvement over the legacy ID Card system, which forced staff to process cards one by one. In previous years, students arriving for orientation would experience wait times of an hour or more in the summer heat while they waited to get their pictures taken and their ID Cards printed. With as many as a thousand cards issued in a day during orientation season, the Batch Printing release is expected to slash those wait times to a mere fraction. This effort represents a collaboration between the Web Custom Solutions team and Identity and Access Management team (Campus Solutions) and ID Support (Engagement & Experience). It also represents a major milestone in preparing ID Support and the rest of campus for the upcoming release of Digital IDs.
Summer Network Equipment Lifecycle and Consolidation Effort Underway
Infrastructure
In collaboration with Operations, Engagement & Experience
Enterprise Technology Infrastructure finalized plans for the summer network equipment lifecycle and consolidation project, targeting nearly 900 network switches across more than 100 buildings to reduce operational risk and modernize campus network infrastructure. Replacing aging switches with modern hardware lowers failure risk while delivering significantly improved network performance that better supports teaching, learning, and research activities across the University during the upcoming academic year. This summer’s project continues Enterprise Technology’s multi-year effort to refine its network equipment lifecycle strategy, balancing performance, reliability, and responsible investment of University resources while minimizing disruption to campus operations.
April communications expanded reach and engagement across digital channels
Operations
Enterprise Technology strengthened its digital communications presence in April through coordinated social media, website, and email outreach, driving increased visibility, audience growth, and engagement across multiple platforms. LinkedIn generated 6,100+ impressions, 155 reactions, five reposts, and 33 new followers. Instagram reached 769 accounts with 1,300+ views. The website recorded 30,900+ sessions and 24,900 unique users. Email open rates reached up to 58 percent with click rates up to 7 percent. Enterprise Technology uses a multi-channel communications strategy to keep campus informed about services, initiatives, and programs. Ongoing analysis of social, web, and email performance helps refine content, timing, and channel mix to better support the University community.