Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements/Working Remotely
As we begin online course delivery and move further into our continuity planning, we want to stress the importance of social distancing, which has been recommended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Accordingly, your supervisor may advise you to perform your duties and responsibilities via an alternative work arrangement. To assist you, the following guidelines were developed by the Office of Human Resources and Information Technology on remote work for staff:
Devices
If you have a University-owned device, you should be able to connect the PC or MAC laptop to your home network and access applications needed for work. You can use your personal laptop to access the same resources as long as you have the web URL for the applications.
Tools
There are several online tools available to you from anywhere you have internet access to collaborate with your colleagues.
- Google Shared Drives (store documents, share and collaboratively edit)
- Zoom (Videoconferencing with built-in phone conference)
- Google Hangout (chat, video, phone)
- Google Apps (docs, sheets, slides)
Security
Accessing University resources when working remotely must be done in a secure manner. Avoid connecting to public WiFi networks such as in a café, restaurant, or store. Connecting to fake networks allows attackers to see the information that passes from your machine to your destination website.
- If you are away from home and need to use the internet, use your cellular data plan on your phone or connect your laptop/tablet to the mobile hotspot on your phone.
- Install antivirus on your computer before using internet resources. The computer issued to you by Arcadia University has antivirus software installed for you. If you need antivirus software on your personal home computer, click here for a list of free antivirus software.
- Ensure that no confidential data is shared via email unless it is encrypted or copied over a VPN connection to a network location.
- Confirm that the websites you are accessing are secure by looking for the lock icon next to a website’s URL.
- Never share your password with anyone. Remember: the Arcadia University Help Desk will NEVER ask you for your password.
- Remember to refer to the Acceptable Use Policy when using University-owned technology resources.
Click here for a complete list of resources and documentation.
Accessing Applications
Most applications you need are network accessible; you don’t need any special setup to access the applications. There are, however, some applications or network folders that will require a VPN connection. Follow instructions on this link to download and install VPN.
| Applications That Need VPN/Full Setup | Applications that are fully web-based and do not need VPN |
|---|---|
| PowerCampus | Google Suite – Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Hangouts |
| PowerFaids | Zoom |
| Great Plains | Canvas |
| RaisersEdge | Self Service |
| StarRez | Great Plains Full functional Web Client |
| CCURE | Nolij |
| EMS | EMS – Web Client |
| Network Shares (L, M, J drive) | ReportExec |
| Send Word Now | |
| Connect | |
| Handshake | |
| Koha, Tipasa | |
| Medicat | |
| HCM (HRIS) | |
| IT Reports |
Staff members with questions or concerns on working remotely should contact their supervisors, or the Office of Human Resources (humanresources@arcadia.edu, 215-572-2173). We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Mary Sweeney
Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Employee Experience
