series of cartoon locksIT Services will introduce two changes to authentication for access to campus networks later this month.

Changes to authentication to secure campus networks

Two changes coming this month will make more secure the process of verifying the identities of users before allowing them access to campus networks, advises Information Technology Services.

“Authentication is important at UWindsor,” says Marcin Pulcer, assistant director of client services, IT Services. “It enables us to keep our networks secure by permitting only authenticated users to access our computer systems, databases, websites, and other network-based applications or services such as UWinsite Student and Blackboard.”

Later this month, IT Services will introduce two changes to authentication:

New Login Process

Starting Jan. 16, UWindsor faculty and staff using Windows 10 on a centrally managed device will be able to log in to their device and gain access to several UWindsor online resources without having to re-enter their credentials. If IT Services visited you during the Fall 2019 semester, this is likely you.

Other UWindsor community members (including students) will continue to log in to their devices. They will, however, see a new login page when accessing UWindsor online resources. And, once they have logged into one of these resources, they will gain access to others.

Multi-Factor Authentication

IT Services will enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) starting Jan. 30, requiring a secondary credential or factor. This security feature provides an additional level of identity verification to help prevent unauthorized access to UWindsor’s protected resources when they are being accessed from outside of the University’s networks — largely from off-campus locations.

Before using MFA to access UWindsor applications, UWin Account holders (students, faculty, staff, applicants, retirees, etc.) will need to set up their secondary authentication factors. For instructions, read this knowledge base article.

It is important to note that once MFA is fully rolled out, setting up at least one secondary authentication factor will be mandatory as access to UWindsor’s networks from off-campus locations will be denied without it.

For more information about the new login process and MFA, see the IT Services website.

MyrllenA free public reception Thursday will celebrate an exhibition by sculptor Catherine Heard, a professor of visual arts.

Reception to celebrate art professor’s exhibition

A reception Thursday, Jan. 9, will introduce the public to the work of visual arts professor Catherine Heard.

Her sculpture exhibition Myrllen: A Portrait is on display through Friday in the downtown Armouries’ SoCA Gallery. Prof. Heard’s work interrogates the histories of science, medicine and the museum. Learn more on the event webpage.

Thursday’s reception runs 5 to 7 p.m. in the gallery, located at 37 University Ave. E.

WinterFest stageSponsorship packages for WinterFest run from $500 to $10,000.

Concert organizers seeking sponsors

The University of Windsor Students’ Alliance is soliciting sponsors for its initial WinterFest concert, to be held Jan. 25 in the St. Denis Centre.

Boasting a lineup of local hip hop and electronic artists, the show will be headlined by Rich the Kid.

“These concerts have become a symbol of community, youth engagement, and Windsor pride,” says alliance vice president finance Sahibjot Singh Grewal. “Promote your department to both the University and high school student audience, while also ensuring an unforgettable post-secondary experience.”

He invites anyone interested in learning more to contact him at vpfuwsa@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext. 4506.

women enjoying facility tourApplications for the EPIC VentureWomen program are open through Jan. 20.

Program to boost women entrepreneurs

Applications are open through Jan. 20 for a program aiming to equip young women with the tools to create successful businesses.

In collaboration with the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation and funding from FedDev Ontario, the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) has designed EPIC VentureWomen to overcome barriers for women founders, especially in emerging technologies.

Participants will receive weekly workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and a collaborative, hands-on approach to business model validation. Start-ups will be eligible to apply for grants worth up to $2,500 for product development and marketing materials.

Find more information, including program highlights, eligibility requirements, and application forms, on the EPICentre website.

Registration open for seniors’ classes

Uni-Com: Lifelong Learning is now registering participants for classes starting Jan. 27.

Classes at Alumni Hall’s McPherson Lounge include:

  • Poetry for All;
  • How Did We Get Here? American History and Politics;
  • Philosophy: God and Evil;
  • Exploring Recent Books I’ve Written; and
  • Italian History and Culture.

Venues off-campus will offer Shall We Dance?; The World of Ancient Romans; and Let’s Paint with Watercolours.

Courses run five to nine weeks. Find detailed descriptions and registration instructions on the Uni-Com website.