ResNET, a service of ITS User Support & Engagement, provides on-site technology support for the UNC-Chapel Hill residence halls and the University’s Department of Housing and Residential Education. The group supports clients ranging from first-year students adjusting to life away from home to full-time departmental employees who are responsible for the life and safety of those students.
ResNET, which stands for Residential Networking, Education & Technology, supports technology ranging from video game systems to departmental computers and from smartphones to proprietary software.
“If you can plug it into the wall, we’ll make an effort to support it,” said Paul Wolff, ResNET Interim Manager.
ResNET has a budgeted staff of only four full-time employees serving the technology needs of nearly 9,000 individuals and more than 90 buildings. One of those positions is vacant now that Chris Williams, ResNET’s Manager for 11 years, has left to become Student Affairs IT Director.
ResNET attributes much of its success to the hard work of its student employees—50 of them. Some of those student workers live in the residence halls as computing consultants who provide on-site support and educational activities to their fellow students.
Vital to ResNET’s success, Wolff said, are the partnerships with the ITS units of Networking, Security and Teaching & Learning; the other groups within User Support & Engagement; Student Affairs IT and the staff within DHRE.
Check back here at ITS News each Tuesday and Thursday through September 17 for more coverage of ResNET. On Thursday read how ResNET uses checklists to proactively maintain its technology.