Status Announcements

All Customers with a New York 518 Area Code Must Dial Area Code + Telephone Number For all Local Calls Beginning August 19, 2017.
What is the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay?
An overlay is the addition of another area code to the same geographic area as an existing area code. In New York, the 838 area code is being added to the area served by the 518 area code to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers.
You won’t have to change your existing area code or phone number. However, because more than one area code will now serve the same geographic area, it does require you to dial or enter the area code and the 7-digit number for all calls, including calls within the same area code.
Who’s affected by the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay?
Anyone who has a phone number with a 518 area code is affected, as well as anyone who receives a phone number from the 838 area code in the future. The 518 area code covers the northeast portion of New York, including communities such as:
Albany
Clifton Park
Glens Falls
Gloversville
Lake Placid
Plattsburgh
Saranac
Schenectady
Troy
What’s the new calling procedure for customers with a 518 or 838 area code?
The new 838 area code is being added to the geographic area served by the 518 area code. Because more than one area code will serve the same geographic area, if you have a 518 or 838 phone number, you’ll need to enter the area code for all calls – including calls within the same area code. To complete local calls from a phone with a 518 or 838 area code, the new calling procedure requires you to enter the area code and 7-digit phone number.
When will the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay calling change begin?
Beginning March 18, 2017, if you have a 518 area code, you should start entering the area code for all calls. There will be a grace period, so if you forget and enter just 7 digits during the grace period, your call will still be completed.
Beginning August 19, 2017, if you have a 518 area code, the new calling procedure will be required for all calls. On or after this date, if you don’t use the new calling procedure, your call won’t be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
Beginning September 19, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 838 area code. If you have an 838 area code, you must enter the area code and 7-digit phone number on all calls or the call won’t be completed.
Will the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay affect my service?
No, the only change is entering the area code for all calls. Your current area code and phone number won’t change. The price of a call, your plan and coverage area, and other rates and services won’t change because of the overlay. All local calls will remain local, regardless of the number of digits entered.
What will I need to do to prepare for the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay?
In addition to entering the area code and phone number for all calls, you should also complete the following items:
Update any pre-programmed 7-digit phone numbers in your mobile device to include the area code, as well as any text or email alert services, and any call forwarding services.
Re-program all services and devices that use a 7-digit phone number to include the area code, including automatic dialing equipment. Some examples include:
Life safety systems and medical monitoring devices
Fire or burglar alarm and security systems
Security gates
Speed dialers
Call forwarding settings
Fax machines
Internet dial-up numbers
Voicemail services and similar functions
Check your websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
What will remain the same after the New York 518 / 838 area code overlay is implemented?
The following items will remain the same and won’t change:
Your phone number, including current area code
The price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services
Calls that are considered local now will remain local calls, regardless of the number of digits entered
911 calls aren’t affected, only 3 digits are required
If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you’ll still be able to call them by entering just 3 digits.

ITEC will be performing maintenance February 15 from 4:00-7:00am during which time Banner/BearPAWS/BearDeN will be unavailable. The estimated downtime is 10 minutes.

Computing and Technology Services has activated Microsoft ProPlus licensing for all active campus employees and students.  In addition to all of the existing features of Office 365, which includes cloud/online versions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, ProPlus allows employees and students of SUNY Potsdam to download and install the latest version of Microsoft Office on their personal computers and devices at no cost.
Question: How much does this cost?
Answer: There is no cost to current SUNY Potsdam Employees or active students.
Q: I graduated from SUNY Potsdam.  Do I get ProPlus?
Q: I am retired/emeritus/emerita.  Do I get ProPlus?
A: No.  ProPlus licenses are available only to active students and active employees.  Availability of ProPlus is subject to the provisions of the campus Campus Computer Account Retention Policy: https://www.potsdam.edu/cts/policiesforms/accountretention .  Personal subscriptions to Office 365 are available: https://products.office.com/en-us/buy/office .
Q: How do I get my copy of Microsoft Office?
A: There is an “Install Software” link available on the Office 365 login page ( https://portal.office.com ).  Detailed download and installation instructions are available from Microsoft: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Download-and-install-or-reinstall-Office-365-or-Office-2016-on-your-PC-or-Mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US
Q: I am having trouble installing Office on my personal computer.  Will CTS help me?
A: CTS does not support or assist with the configuration of equipment not owned by SUNY Potsdam.  If you are having trouble using Microsoft Office on a campus-provided computer, please contact the CTS Helpdesk for assistance.
Q: Can I install Office on everything I own?   What if I have more than one computer?  Can I install it on my phone and my computer?
A:  Microsoft Office can be installed on as many devices as you wish, but it can only be activated on 5 devices at the same time.  More information about license activation and deactivation is available here:  https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/office_resource_kit/2014/01/17/office-365-proplus-multiple-devices-and-deactivation/
Please direct any remaining questions to the CTS Helpdesk: helpdesk@potsdam.edu or 315-267-4444.  If no one is available to take your call, leave a message to ensure the fastest response.

ITEC will be performing routine firmware and OS patch maintenance on our servers Wednesday February 22nd from 12:00am to 7:00am. During this time Banner, BearPAWS and BearDeN will be unavailable.

ITEC will be performing maintenance on our servers (NIC setting change) Wednesday February 8th from 4:00am – 7:00am. They are not expecting any downtime but as with any maintenance there is always that possibility. If we do have downtime, Banner, BearPAWS and BearDeN will be unavailable.

Our phone service provider has reported that the off-campus connection problem has been identified and remedied, allowing calls from all wireless networks to one again connect to campus. Anyone who encounters continued problems reaching campus from a wireless carrier is urged to contact the Telcom Office via email at telcom@potsdam.edu.
Thanks you for your patience during this service interruption.

CTS-TelCom has received reports of cell phone callers being unable to reach on-campus destinations. We have opened a trouble ticket with our Service Provider to ensure the integrity of our campus connections. Please be advised that these failures may be caused by circuit failures un-related to our campus infrastructure and are beyond our control. CTS-TelCom will post updates as available.

CTS reminds users that encountering phishing e-mails is commonplace when you have an account anywhere: your bank, Netflix, Google, and yes, SUNY Potsdam.
We have a page that can help you understand what these e-mails are and how you can protect yourself from being tricked into giving your sensitive information to criminals:
https://www.potsdam.edu/cts/services/office365/phishing
We dissect a couple of phishing e-mails and show you what to look for as well as answer some frequently asked questions.

ITEC needs to reboot our Banner server potodb001 to issue a NIC change to the cluster node it resides on. During this time Banner, BearPAWS and BearDeN will be unavailable.

All Customers with a New York 315 Area Code Must Dial Area Code + Telephone Number For all Local Calls Beginning February 11, 2017
What is the new dialing procedure?
To complete calls within the 315 area code region, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 315 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using ten digits, that is, the area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 680 area code.
Who will be affected?
 The 315 area code covers the west-central portion of New York serving communities such as Syracuse, Utica and Watertown. The new 680 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 315 area code.
Why is the change necessary?
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the 680 area code is being added to the area served by the 315 area code. Since two area codes will now serve the same geographic region, the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number – including calls within the same area code,
Beginning March 11, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 680 area code. Callers must also use the new dialing procedure for local calls in the new 680 area code.
When will the change become mandatory?
Beginning February 11, 2017, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. lf you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again. However, all customers should begin using the new dialing procedure before February 11, 2017.
What will you need to do?
ln addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure. Some examples are stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, lnternet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc., as well as Medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors or other similar equipment must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default but some older equipment may still use 7-digits. Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you do not know whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to ’10-digit dialing. You may also want to check your website, business stationery and advertising materials, printed checks, contact information, and your personal or pet lD tags to ensure the area code is included.
What will remain the same?
Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.

• The price of a call, coverage area, 0r other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If, 211, 311, 411, 51 1, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community you will still dial these codes with just three digits.