Instructions for adding an alert

The following are directions on how to add an outage, degradation of service, or planned maintenance notice to the IT Service Alerts page.

  1. Login to https://its.uiowa.edu/user
    • For access please contact Adrienne Coon
  2. In the upper left corner choose Add Content
  3. Choose Alert
  4. Complete the following fields:
    • Description – Brief description of the work and services affected
      • Do NOT include date/time in this field
      • Put the most important information in the beginning
      • Helpful things to post:
        • What is the problem?
        • Who is affected?
        • What services are impacted?
        • Expected downtime?
        • Possible solutions or workarounds?
    • Start/End Time
      • Check the box “Show End Date” if an end date/time is available
    • Complete the Date and Time fields
  5. Choose Severity Normal from the dropdown
    • Major is only for severe outages. This option creates a red banner and text across the top of the ITS home page.
  6. Choose the appropriate type from the Type dropdown (definitions found below)
  7. Choose the appropriate services affected by clicking on Services
    • Multiple services may be checked
  8. If the appropriate service isn’t available, add a title in Additional Title Details
  9. Choose the appropriate building locations by clicking on Buildings
  10. Click Save

Upon saving, an email will be sent to the ITS Help Desk notifying them that an alert has been created and is ready to publish.

Help Desk staff will review and possibly edit the notice and publish it to the IT Service Alerts page and the Alerts Calendar. Alerts posted before 5 pm will be included in the Alerts Daily Digest email at 7 am the following day.

Planned maintenance notices will appear on the IT Service Alerts page 7 days before the scheduled maintenance. They will appear in the calendar view of alerts immediately.

To close or update an outage, please contact the ITS Help Desk at HelpDesk-Notify@uiowa.edu and provide the necessary information so the alert may be updated or closed. 

Types of alerts

  • Outage: The service is not available
  • Degradation of service: There is partial loss of service or functionality
  • Planned maintenance: The service is scheduled for preventative maintenance or upgrades
  • Service announcement: The service has an announcement, enhancement, or a new service is available to campus.

IT service alerts process

For more information about the IT Service Alerts process, please review the document below.

IT Service Alerts Process document (authenticated users only)

Article number: 
107561
Last updated: 
August 8, 2023
Service: 
Category: