Common Acronyms and Vocabulary
Here is a list of commonly used terminology that you will frequently encounter at Wake Forest University, both on this site and in day-to-day life at work.
ITG = Instructional Technology Group
ITG members work for the Dean of the College under the direction of the Director of Academic Technologies, Adam Friedman, and are embedded in the academic departments to support the academic mission of our faculty. We are there to provide advice and support to faculty when it comes to technology and their work. Think of us as your technology personal trainer or technology coach. Our site homepage is here.
IS = Information Systems
From the IS website: “The Office of Information Systems (IS) is the primary resource for all things computing at Wake Forest University (WFU). Our mission is to empower the WFU community in the use of information and digital technologies towards intellectual exploration, informed institutional decisions, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge.”
The Service Desk (aka The Bridge, aka Help Desk)
The Service Desk is located at The Bridge in ZSR Library. This is where you pick up your WFU laptop. It is also where you report many technical issues and receive service for University technology services. There are many ways to contact the Service Desk to report problems and get help. You can
- visit help.wfu.edu. The Service Desk site includes the AskDeac system for directly entering support tickets, online chat, a searchable knowledge base, and the link to the Status Page widget (where information is posted when there is a known issue with WFU services)
- email help@wfu.edu with the specifics of your issue
- call 336-758-4357 (HELP) and talk to an IS employee to report a problem or get help
CAT = The Center for the Advancement of Teaching
From the CAT website: “The Center for the Advancement of Teaching aims to advance passionate, reflective, and evidence-informed teaching. We contribute to Wake Forest’s distinctive mission by encouraging the development of teacher-student relationships that prepare all students to live examined, purposeful lives.”
PDC = The Professional Development Center
From the PDC website: The PDC is “a comprehensive and collaborative resource focused on developing faculty and staff.” Here you will find courses on a wide variety of topics, both technical and non-technical.
WIN = Wake Information Network
This is the online portal faculty use for a number of administrative purposes. The Virtual Campus section allows faculty members to download spreadsheet rosters for their sections, view a “class facebook” for each section, and submit grades to the Registrar’s office. It also includes a number of privacy settings and links to our WorkDay site
ZSR = Z Smith Reynolds Library
“ZSR” refers to our main library. While they offer lots of services for faculty, for our purposes, ZSR is the home for the Service Desk, the CAT, your department’s Library Liaison, the copyright resources, and they manage the course reserves.