Washington University in St. Louis is making strides toward a smarter, more connected future through the Network Modernization Project, launched in November 2024. This WashU IT initiative is replacing outdated network equipment with state-of-the-art systems designed to meet the demands of today’s academic and research environment. Aligned with WashU’s Here & Next strategic vision, the project delivers a tenfold increase […]
Author: Brian
Empowering collaboration through GitHub
GitHub is the world’s leading platform for hosting and managing code projects. WashU IT grants its community access to GitHub Enterprise. With GitHub, developers can efficiently track revisions, collaborate on code, oversee tasks, and contribute to open-source initiatives. Washington University offers two GitHub environments to support projects: GitHub EMU (Enterprise Managed Users) GitHub EMU (Enterprise […]
Learning Activities now available in Microsoft 365 Education and Copilot
Learning Activities is now available as part of Microsoft Education experiences. This feature helps educators and students transform passive content into active learning. With just a few selections, users can create engaging practice activities such as flashcards directly from existing learning content, improving interactivity and knowledge retention. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout began in mid-October 2025 […]
WashU’s secure Generative AI API supports integration, approved for sensitive data
WashU is excited to offer secure, scalable, cost-effective, unified API (Application Programming Interface) access to cutting-edge generative AI models. Designed for faculty, researchers and staff, the platform supports integration with sandboxed endpoints hosted within WashU’s Azure tenant, which is approved for sensitive data, including HIPAA and FERPA. This will result in ease of access to powerful […]
Microsoft Rolls Out GPT-5 in Copilot
Starting in early August, Microsoft began integrating OpenAI’s latest generative AI model, GPT-5, into Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This upgrade enhances the AI assistant’s capabilities for all WashU users—whether they have a full Copilot for Microsoft 365 license or are using the free Microsoft 365 Copilot chat version—offering smarter reasoning, quicker responses, and improved access to work-related […]
GPT-5 Arrives in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft has announced the release of GPT-5 in Microsoft 365 Copilot, reinforcing its commitment to delivering OpenAI’s latest models to customers within 30 days of launch. This integration brings significant advancements in AI-powered productivity, offering users a more intelligent and responsive experience across their daily workflows. GPT-5 introduces a dynamic model-routing capability within Copilot. When […]
New Capabilities Coming to Microsoft Copilot in Word
Microsoft is rolling out enhanced functionality for Copilot in Word, designed to transform how users create and edit documents. These updates introduce a more conversational and iterative experience, allowing users to interact with Copilot more naturally and efficiently. Starting in September 2025, Microsoft will begin a worldwide rollout of new features for Copilot in Word, […]
Meet some of WashU IT’s “People of ImpacT”
WashU IT is highlighting some special employees who received multiple nominations as People of ImpacT in 2024. Employees are nominated by their peers, managers, and customers. WashU IT is highlighting some special employees who received multiple nominations as People of ImpacT in 2024. Employees are nominated by their peers, managers, and customers. While 93 employees were […]
Tying service and experience together: University Services new website launches July 1
The Parking & Transportation and Campus Card websites will become part of the new University Services division website this summer. With a greater focus on customers, these enhancements will make it easier to find the information you need when you need it. The new face will be unveiled on July 1. A group of about […]
WashU IT Research Infrastructure Services (RIS) to enhance customer onboarding experience with website and portal upgrades
WashU IT Research Infrastructure Services (RIS) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of an enhanced customer onboarding experience for users. Enhancements will be made starting in late May to elevate the customer experience. After May 30, you can go to the RIS website to explore the updates. Some of these upgrades will include a […]