All Penn State access account users will be required to change their userid password every year beginning April 2, 2007, to enhance security standards, according to Information Technology Services (ITS).

All students, faculty and staff must comply with the requirement, said Deb Metzel, ITS help desk senior support and training analyst.

It has been in the works for awhile and was finally decided, Metzel said of the requirement.

ITS Director of Customer Communications Robin Anderson said the change is being made to be more secure "in the eyes of the federal government."

"Hopefully the message is clear why they need to do this," she said. "Our help desks will be ready to answer questions along the way ... we want to make it as easy and painless as possible."

Informing students of the new password change requirement was one of the many goals ITS had when they planned the first ever ITS student days, which took place yesterday and Tuesday in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Information on the new password requirement proved to be the most significant change and most surprising to students.

Dave Santoliquito (senior-communication arts and sciences) said although he did not know about the new password change, he was glad he took the time to stop and pick up the information.

"I walked through the HUB and anytime I see an information booth, I stop and see what's going on," he said.

Less technologically savvy students also had the chance to have their questions answered on many other topics by ITS help desk employees.

ITS offers those inquiring students helpful information about Napster, downloads, wireless, Webmail in addition to the student homepage, Metzel added.

ITS wanted to inform students about the services and changes available right at the beginning of the semester, Anderson said.

"We were finding that students don't know about things that can save them time, money and worry," she said.

ITS project coordinator San Haldeman said ITS Student Days is an awareness event geared toward the student body.

Halderman said ITS Student Days was intentionally planned early in the semester to alleviate any potential problems.

ITS also hopes to raise awareness of the help desks available to the student body, Metzel said, adding that there is a help desk located in the Willard building, and another in the Computer Building.

Between 800 and 900 handouts were given out, several about the new userid password change, Haldeman said.

Metzel added that she thinks students walked away with a much greater appreciation and knowledge for ITS services.

"I hope they did, because that's the goal," she said.