JCAL also known as Ad Astra Schedule, is a web-based scheduling solution to reserve classroom and public spaces for meetings, events and classes. To begin the process of getting a room reserved, please login to Ad Astra.

All students, faculty and staff have access to Office 365. Students must log in with their first name and last name (e.g. firstname.lastname@students@tamuk.edu). Faculty and staff must log in with their username (e.g. kuabc123@tamuk.edu).
Features include:

• Use of Outlook for email on any PC connected to the internet.
• Use of Outlook Web Access requires no client for email as it can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.
• Configurability of personal iPhone, Android or Windows 8 mobile device to access email.
• 50GB of storage for email.
• 1TB of online file storage space, expandable to 5TB.
• Only a maximum of 10mb attachment size on emails is allowed.
• Allows sign on from JNet via the email button at the top right corner.

Please refer to the Microsoft Office 365 installation instructions.

The Campus Directory contains contact information for individuals and departments for TAMUK. The information provided in the directory derives from the Workday System. Access the Campus Directory. Faculty and staff are encouraged to keep their contact information up-to-date. For instructions on how to update your information, please see our Campus Directory Update page.

The storage is available for you to store and share files among the people within your Department or group. Files stored in your Departmental Share are backed up on a weekly basis to our off-site storage.

One Drive Cloud Storage – Our Microsoft Office 365 implementation includes One Drive Cloud Storage of 1 terabyte per user, expandable to 5 terabytes. Files stored on One Drive are secure, can be shared and allow collaboration, anywhere across the internet.

Data and Files stored in the My Documents folder are written to storage arrays located in the College Hall Data Center. These storage arrays are then replicated to our off-site storage location.  If something happens to your computer, the files are recoverable.

Blackboard Collaborate
Blackboard Collaborate is a real-time video conferencing tool that lets you add files, share applications, and use a virtual whiteboard to interact. This method allows for more of an in-class feel with discussions and communication occurring just as it would in class. Blackboard Collaborate is built to support student privacy. Resources for Collaborate are located in the Blackboard Faculty Resource Center course in Blackboard Learn. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is supported by the Center for Academic Technology-Division of Academic Affairs.

Collaborate Guides:

• Collaborate Ultra Experience Help
• Collaborate Ultra Student 
• Collaborate Ultra Faculty
• Session Best Practices
• Network Connection Status Troubleshooting

Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration app that helps departments stay organized and have conversations all in one place. Teams - Find channels to belong to or create your own. Inside channels, you can hold on-the-spot meetings, have conversations, and share files. Microsoft Teams is supported by Information Technology Services (ITS).  For additional instructions on using Microsoft Teams, please see the Using Microsoft Teams document.

Zoom Security Issues
TAMU System recommends against using Zoom for Federal research projects. TAMUK recommends against using Zoom at this time.

Articles on Zoom security issues:

• Hackers use racial slurs in Zoom class at Prairie View A&M University
• Microsoft Just Dealt A New Blow To Zoom With This Bold Security Move 
• Blackboard Privacy Statement
• Here’s Everything That’s Wrong (So Far)
• Every Security Issue Uncovered In The Video Chat App
• Is It Safe To Use Zoom?

Questions? Please create a Help Desk ticket at itsupport.tamuk.edu or call the ITS Help Desk at 361-593-(HELP) 4357 Monday - Friday, from 7:30AM to 5:00PM.