Ad Astra Training Opportunities Announced

Arkansas Tech University faculty and staff on the Russellville and Ozark campuses will begin using the cloud web-based computer software package Ad Astra to schedule campus events on Jan. 2, 2018.

All event requests will be processed through the new system by the ATU Office of Events. The implementation of the new system will continue for the summer 2018 and fall 2018 terms when the system is used to schedule academic classes for the first time.

Ad Astra will provide faculty and staff with the ability to see all spaces at the university that might meet desired room or space needs, request the space and be part of a notification workflow for confirmation of requests.

Once the system is fully implemented to include the scheduling of classes, academic areas will gain the ability to optimize class scheduling based on factors such as location, size, resources, distance from other locations and restrictions.

“As Arkansas Tech University evolves to meet the changing needs of its students, it is important that we work together in an organized and focused manner to make the best use of our facilities,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, vice president for academic affairs. “We encourage faculty and staff to attend one of the upcoming training sessions to learn more about this important new tool for the university.”

Training sessions will take place in Rothwell Hall room 213 on these dates:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 13, 9-10 a.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 14, 2-3 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 18, 9-10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 20, 9-10 a.m.

Additional Ad Astra training opportunities will be available in Rothwell Hall room 213 each Wednesday at 2 p.m. from Jan. 17, 2018, through April 4, 2018, excluding the week of spring break.

Those wishing to attend any of the training sessions are asked to register in advance by sending e-mail to events@atu.edu or by calling (479) 964-0583 ext. 2670.

The main point of contact regarding Ad Astra on the Ozark campus of Arkansas Tech will be Beverly Nehus, administrative assistant to the chancellor. Her phone number is (479) 667-4046.

Ad Astra will also provide a master calendaring feature that will act as a single point of combined academic and event locations, dates and times that can then be viewed via the web, integrated into departmental websites and downloaded to individual calendars such as Outlook.

Athletic scheduling and theLINK will continue to serve their audiences as they have previously until such a time that they are fully integrated into the Ad Astra system.

More information about how to request an event, what resources are available to request and updated calendar information is available at www.atu.edu/events.

The Arkansas Tech Ad Astra portal, which will become functional on Jan. 2, 2018, is located at www.aaiscloud.com/ARTechU/.