Recently, Simmons Technology received an innovative donation from our printer vendor, Toshiba—a park bench that uses recycled and compressed ink cartridges instead of wood.

The bench is the result of a partnership between Toshiba and a recycling program called Close the Loop. This initiative takes empty cartridges and other disposable parts and reuses the material to make 100% recycled products.

For example, the park bench slats are made from compressed recycled plastic, called eLumber, that is waterproof, insect-proof, and UV retardant. In 2013, more than 170 tons of plastic from cartridges was recycled and used to construct benches, fencing, and other outdoor products.

As part of our ongoing printing initiative, Technology will continue to recycle all materials used in our multi-function devices and send them back to Toshiba for reuse in new products.

If you’d like to see (and try out) the new bench, it’s located in the seating area just outside of Lefavour Hall (near the Kotzen Room).

Remember that GoToMeeting offers Simmons faculty and staff the ability to schedule, host, and attend meetings with up to 25 participants.

If you’re using a Simmons computer, the software is already installed. You can also download and install GoToMeeting on a personal computer or mobile device.

Get started by visiting gotomeeting.com and signing in with your Simmons email. If it’s your first time logging in, enter your full Simmons email ([email protected]) and click “Forgot your password?” You’ll receive an email with a password reset link, which you can use to create a new password.

In addition to meetings, faculty can use GoToMeeting to record course content, host virtual office hours, invite remote guest lecturers to your class, and more.

If you need help using GoToMeeting, check out our FAQ or visit the support center, where you’ll find answers to common questions as well as step-by-step video tutorials. For other questions, please contact the Service Desk at 617-521-2222.

To coincide with the appointment of Debra Orr to the position of Associate Vice President of Administration, we’ll be unveiling a combined Technology and Administrative Services newsletter in August.

The newsletter will serve as a unified source for technology and administration topics that will be of interest and use to our community. We will continue to share updates about important improvements to campus services, along with topical news from the larger world of computing.

In addition, we hope to share even more stories highlighting the ways in which Simmons students, faculty, and staff are incorporating technology and administrative services into their teaching and learning at the College.

You’ve probably heard about 3D printers, but you may not have had an opportunity to see or use one in person. Simmons Technology would like to change that.

On May 14th and 15th, from 8am-12pm, we’ll be holding demonstrations of our new MakerBot Replicator printer in L225.

We encourage you to stop by if you’re interested in using 3D printing in the classroom, or if you’re simply curious about how 3D printers work and what they can do. Our team will be on hand to provide an overview and to answer any questions you have about modeling and creating objects using 3D printing.

Following the initial rollout of new printers across campus, Technology is preparing to activate ID card readers for faculty and staff. The card readers will provide access to all of the new multi-function devices (MFDs) on campus using your Simmons ID card. You’ll be able to print, copy, and scan quickly and securely from any MFD on campus by tapping your ID card on the reader.

This change provides faculty and staff with the same flexibility that CampusPrint provides to students: a networked, campuswide solution that allows you to get your documents when and where you need them.

In addition, networked MFDs with ID card access help to create efficiencies and to conserve resources by separating black & white and color print jobs, and by defaulting to double-sided printing.

As the ID card readers are activated for faculty and staff, Technology will be providing training to ensure that you have the resources you need. Project manager Roy Balcom will coordinate training sessions with each department, as needed. If you have questions about scheduling a training, please contact him at[email protected].

Over the past year, there has been an uptick in the frequency of so-called imposter scams. These attempts to obtain personal information involve emails and/or phone calls from a scammer who claims to be contacting you on “official” business. These scams often involve direct threats and they can be very convincing. Click the image below to see a full list of the tactics most often employed so you can be prepared.

If you ever suspect that someone is attempting to scam you via your Simmons email address or phone number, please contact the Service Desk immediately at 617-521-2222. For more information about imposter scams and what you can do to protect yourself, see this guide from the Federal Trade Commission.