The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
The
Ringer
Weekly
VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 7
October 25, 2024
UMW IT Department addresses professors’ frustrations regarding multi-factor authentication issues
MADISON FRY Staff Writer This semester, several professors expressed complaints regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the multi-factor authentication system that was recently implemented to better secure UMW accounts. According to some faculty members, the updated authentication system was unintentionally an inconvenient and unreliable way to log in to their university accounts. After faculty and staff expressed frustrations with the authentication system, the University IT Department worked to create a fix that would benefit professors while still adhering to guidelines put forth by the Commonwealth. Faculty and staff can now choose between using multi-factor authentication or having a password over 14 characters and changing it every 90 days. An email sent on Oct. 15 from Chief Information Officer Hall Cheshire communicated that multi-factor authentication would pause so that other options for enhanced security could be offered instead and integrated through password updates.
Most faculty, such as Professor of Classics Angela Pitts, understand the importance of protecting their account security while still acknowledging the issues that resulted from using the multi-factor authentication system.
“None of us wants a major breach of data, and cyberattacks involving malicious theft of data, sensitive information, and intellectual property are unfortunately becoming increasingly common.” - Angela Pitts “Protecting the cybersecurity of UMW students, faculty, and staff is, of course, a serious challenge and an urgent priority. I take the cybersecurity of UMW systems very seriously,” said Pitts. “None of us wants a major breach of data, and cyberattacks involving malicious theft of data, sensitive information, and intellectual property are unfortunately becoming increasingly common.”
Faculty and staff have experienced difficulties logging into their university accounts. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
JLARC report finds Mary Washington is facing “some viability risk” due to aging campus facilities and financing
ENYA CEA-LAVIN Staff Writer
A report published by Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission earlier this month found the University of Mary Washington to have “some viability risks.” The report cited factors such as aging buildings and tuition costs as primary concerns. According to the report, total enrollment declined 23% between 2016 and 2023. While the university has recently stabilized enrollment, offering continued discounted tuition has harmed the institution financially. As a result, the report suggests that UMW has indicated that it would halt these discounts, subsequently raising tuition costs.
SEE VIABILITY, PAGE 7
News | 7 INSIDE Recent report
THE
RINGER
highlights UMW viability concerns
Signs preventing the use of Ball Circle are once again put up as efforts to revitalize the dead grass are made to upkeep the natural beauty and heart of campus. This is a part of the ongoing maintenance efforts that disrupt students’ experience at UMW. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
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