On February 4, 2014, President David Rudd issued invitations to members of the Redefining the University Library Committee, with the charge:

“Today’s University Libraries must face a rapidly evolving landscape from the changes surrounding information and technology that have occurred over recent decades. Managing the migration to digital information systems raises numerous challenges, and considerations requiring the collected wisdom of various constituents. The library’s traditional role as a repository for physical books and periodicals is changing, with important implications for space utilization, resource acquisition, and deployment of staffing.”

The purpose of the Redefining the University Library Committee was to propose a plan for how the University Library will flourish on that new landscape, and how to best position future directions for the programs, services and physical configuration of the University libraries. The committee’s recommendations for the library of the 21st century has considered best practices for serving the University community and for meeting both ideal configuration and realistic support models.

The committee’s substantive and visionary recommendations may be seen here in the final report presented to the President on May 30, 2014.

As chair of the committee, I would like to thank all of the committee members for their diligence, research, and thoughtfulness in the preparation of this report.  The members included:

Colleagues,

We have received questions about the change in the password policy, which takes effect today, June 9.

Please note that you will not be required to change your password until your current expiration is reached.  Information Technology Services (ITS) will send  automated email reminders 14 days and 7 days prior to your password expiration.

Remember: ITS will never ask for your password.  When in doubt, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 901-678-8888.

Thank you,

Ellen

As a part of our ongoing examination of campus processes, the University is implementing a policy change to enhance the overall strength and security of account passwords.  These changes address both the frequency and complexity of password changes.

Beginning June 9, 2014, all University of Memphis students, faculty and staff will be required to change their UofM UUID password every 180 days.  This policy change will take effect with all passwords changed on or after June 9, 2014.

In addition to the change in frequency, changes are also being implemented in the minimum requirements for passwords.  These changes will provide additional security by increasing password strength and making passwords more resistant to attack.  The new minimum requirements for passwords are:

Must be at least twelve (12) characters in length.

Must contain characters from at least three of the following categories:

• lowercase letter (e.g. a, b, c),
• uppercase letter (e.g. A, B, C),
• number (e.g. 1, 2, 3), and
• special character (e.g. _ ! $ % ^ * + – ).

Remember:  ITS will never ask you for your password.  When in doubt, send suspicious emails to abuse@memphis.edu.

If you have any questions about the change in policy or need further assistance, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 901-678-8888.

Thank you,

Ellen