This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) addresses common queries from campus partners related to technology services offered by the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Detailed information about current service offerings is available in the OIT Service Catalog. If you're unable to find what you’re looking for, or have a more general question, it’s likely this companion document will help.
If you’re curious about “Does OIT do that?”, the answer is usually simple: if it's in our service catalog, we do it! If it's not, we do not.
General Questions
What services does OIT offer?
OIT provides information technology services to support the entire Portland State community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. OIT services support University operations in the areas of Teaching & Learning, Research, Administration & Business, Information Security, Communication & Collaboration, and Desktop & Mobile Computing. Detailed information about current service offerings is available in the OIT Service Catalog.
Can OIT help implement my technology product?
If you’re planning to implement new technology for your department, first review the OIT Procurement Guide for tips on the steps involved. In general, purchasing, implementing, monitoring, securing, and maintaining your new technology is your department's responsibility.
If OIT is a primary participant in your implementation, the OIT Project Management Office (PMO) might provide project management support. Refer to IT Project Consulting for more information.
Will OIT pay for this tool/technology?
OIT is only funded to provide campus-wide technology and solutions. Departments have unique needs ranging from specialized academic software, to rental/lease management, to bowling alley software. These division-specific technologies are funded and managed by the unit leveraging them. OIT is available to help you explore solutions that we do support: contact the OIT Help Desk. Our Procurement Guide may help if you plan to buy new technology.
Can OIT support this software platform for me?
Applications supported or administered by OIT are used in our campus-wide service offerings. OIT does not offer support for business or department-specific applications or technology. Some departments have dedicated IT support personnel that help with department-specific technology. When implementing new technology, keep the requirements detailed in the Application Administration Standard in mind. OIT is available to help you explore solutions that we do support: contact the OIT Help Desk.
My department’s IT person left the University, and something they supported isn’t working. How can OIT help?
If you need assistance with something in the OIT Service Catalog, we can help! However, if the software or system is specific to your department and is not centrally supported, you need to either (1) refill the position, (2) transfer responsibility to someone else in your department who can fulfill the responsibilities described in the Application Administration Standard, or (3) consult with the OIT Help Desk on transitioning to a supported service and retiring the unsupported technology.
Service and Technology Specific Questions
Does OIT provide a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for my department to use?
OIT offers Slate for admissions, recruitment, and current students, and CampusNexus for Human Resources and existing users. OIT does not provide a general purpose CRM.
Can OIT design a website or a web application for my project?
OIT no longer offers custom web design and development services. While different versions of Custom Web Application Development and Hosting have been available from OIT in the past, these services have not been offered since 2017.
How does OIT support desktop computers and mobile devices? Does OIT purchase or replace computers for employees?
Support is described in Device Support. Departments are responsible for budgeting, purchasing, distributing, tracking, and recovering technology assigned to their PSU employees. Equipment should follow the guidelines and recommendations in OIT’s Hardware Purchasing service.
Does OIT offer loaner computer equipment?
OIT provides loaner equipment while we are repairing or servicing a PSU-owned computer, but does not offer longer term equipment loans. The Library offers a limited pool of long-term loaner laptops to students.
Can OIT replace the equipment in my department’s computer lab?
In departmentally controlled spaces, the department is responsible for purchasing and maintaining the installed technology. OIT maintains several General Pool classrooms for computer-based instruction and student computer labs.
The AV equipment in this room is broken, can OIT fix it or replace it?
OIT purchases and supports AV equipment in general pool classrooms. For departmentally- controlled classrooms, conference rooms, or custom installations, OIT can diagnose and advise, but departments are responsible for any costs associated with equipment repair and replacement.
Retired or Replaced Services
The OIT service portfolio aims to maximize value to the University as technology and business needs change. To maintain a healthy technology ecosystem, we add services, transition them through a defined lifecycle, and finally retire them. The services below were recently retired and/or replaced with alternatives.
Retired in 2024
Retired in 2022
- MeetMe Conference Bridges
- Cable TV
- Expanded Conference Calling
- 800 Numbers
- Design Consultation
- D2L
- Global Classroom
- Role-Based Access Request (RBAR)
- Application Administration
Retired in 2021
- Specialty Printing
- Research Geospatial Processing
- Research Data Transfer
- Research Systems Workshops and Training
- Research Systems Consulting and Advanced Facilitation
- Zoom Classroom Technical Assistants
- BizTalk
- myfiles
Retired in 2020 or before
- Custom Web Application Development and Hosting
- AV Equipment Rental
- Blackboard Collaborate
- Echo360