Getting Connected. Student Technology Services

Transcription

1 Getting Connected Student Technology Services

2 Contents Welcome 3 Your Computer 4 Network Services 5 Network Assistance 6 Emergency Notification 8 Labs and Printing 9 Student Technology Store 10 STS Services 11 Technology Assistance Center 12 DMCA 13 Find Us On The Map 14 FAQs 15 2

3 Welcome Student Technology Services The use of and access to technology is a vital part of your life at Ferris State University. Student Technology Services is the branch of Information Technology Services focused on helping students use their personally-owned equipment to enhance their academic experience. Read through this brochure to find out our minimum specifications for computers, to see what software and hardware is available at discount prices, to learn how to connect to the Internet, and much more! When you arrive on campus for the Fall Semester, we will be here to help you get connected during our iconnect events. During move-in weekend, we will be in the University Center Building (UCB), Room 108, with technicians on site to help get your computer set up correctly for the Ferris networks. Check out our website at edu/sts and look for the iconnect link, or look for our posters for more details. If you miss our sessions in UCB during move-in weekend, visit us in our main office in UCB, Room 108. We will still help you get the software set up for your computer without a service charge for the first week of classes, but after that week, there will be a small charge for the service. After iconnect and the first week of classes has passed, there are still plenty of services available to keep you connected! Start by contacting the Technology Assistance Center. They can help you over the phone, via chat, , web form, etc. If they cannot help you, come to STS at the University Center Building (UCB) (see map on page 14) and we will. Visit the website for more information. We are here to help you, so do not hesitate to contact us for any of your technology questions. Look for us at the Timme Center for Student Services (CSS) during Orientation in June, July, and August if you have any questions! 3

4 BYOD (Bring your own device) From palm-size smart phones to 60 TV s, most devices can be used to connect to the Internet and Ferris networks. As you are deciding what technology devices to bring to campus, keep in mind that all devices must be registered in order to connect to the network. Up to five devices can be registered at one time per student. Linux does not need Bradford. These devices include laptops, desktops, tablets, game consoles, smart phones, TV s, etc. Computer Specifications and Recommendations Your laptop or desktop computer will be the most useful device for your academic work. Microsoft Windows software is the most commonly used platform on campus; however, some curriculums use more Apple software and hardware. Be aware that some degrees/fields of study require specific laptops, so it is a good idea to check with your advisor or admissions counselor to find our more before deciding which technologies to use or purchase. If your field of study does not have technology specifications, the following list has the suggested minimums for a computer that you might already own. For Windows computers: Windows 7 or newer 4 GB RAM Greater than 500 GB hard drive For Apple computers: 4 GB RAM Greater than 500 GB hard drive Your Computer If you are buying a new computer, you will want to meet or exceed the specifications above. When purchasing a new computer, whether it be a laptop or desktop, getting extra RAM (memory), and an extended warranty with accident protection will save you the most grief over time. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have coverage for your devices too! Apple Computer Discounts Apple offers discount prices for students. Computers and software can be purchased at a discount from the Apple online store at Just click on the Education Store link, and follow the instructions for education pricing. Dell Computer Discounts Dell offers discounts but it is not through Ferris. HP Computer Discounts HP offers student computer discounts through Ferris. 4

5 Network Devices Network Services Each residence hall room has one wired connection to the University network. If you wish to physically connect more than one computer/device to the network in a single room, you can do so by purchasing a network switch and cables. You can purchase these from the Student Technology Store, located in University Center Building 108, and/or during the iconnect sessions. You may also purchase these before coming to campus. Wireless Networks on Campus The main campus of Ferris State has a high-speed network and access to the Internet provided by wired connections in all offices and on-campus housing, as well as wireless networking in much of the outdoor spaces, academic and office locations, and on-campus housing. There are two wireless networks available for you to connect your computer or mobile device on the main campus. All devices must be registered. Once you attempt to connect to one of these networks, you will be directed to an easy, step-by-step process to register your device. FerrisWiFi Secure (encrypted) case-sensitive passcode = FerrisWiFi Available in all academic and administrative buildings Requires MyFSU ID and Password Must register devices with network to connect FSUStudent Secure (encrypted) Case-sensitive passcode = FSUStudent Available in select on-campus residence locations Requires MyFSU ID and Password Must register devices with network to connect FSUPublic Not Secure (more for guests than students) Please do not use this one as you will not be able to get to Ferris systems. Wireless Access Points and Routers are no longer allowed in any of the Residence Halls or Campus Apartments. Any of these devices found on the network will result in your network port being shut off until they are disconnected. Need help getting connected? See page 11 for walk in assistance options, or contact TAC as listed on page 12. 5

6 Network Assistance iconnect- Get Connected to our Networks iconnect is the service STS offers to students to get their computers connected to Ferris' networks. Representatives from STS will be working during fall move-in weekend to help students get the proper software installed. They will also help students install the software that allows them to print to the network printers in the residence halls. Look for posters in your residence halls, or on our website, to find out the days and times of iconnect. We will be located in UCB 108 for the duration of iconnect. Laptop users, please remember to bring your power supply with you to the iconnect session. This service is free during move-in and the first week of the Fall Semester ONLY. Ferris Computing ID and Password (aka MyFSU id) You will be given your Ferris Computing ID and password in your Ferris acceptance package. If you do not receive it then, look for STS representatives at Orientation for assistance. If you have any other questions or problems, please contact TAC at (231) or call Toll Free: (877) or just use ext if you are using a phone on the Ferris campus. Ferris Mail (Student ) You can get to your Ferris Mail by logging into MyFSU using your Ferris ID and password, and then by clicking on the icon located in the top section. From here, you can set preferences and manage your address book. See our website for more information. You can setup your student mail on a mobile device. This will require you call TAC. 6

7 Connecting to Network Network Assistance Any device connecting to the Ferris network must be registered. Students will be allowed to register up to five devices. If you have a Linux device it does not need to be registered. In addition, any computer will need to have our network authentication client installed, an OS update enabled, and an approved anti-virus program. Most anti-virus software is allowed on campus. If you find that your anti-virus is not working, please contact STS and we will see if it can be added. Any student found trying to circumvent network authentication will have their network access shut off for the semester. Windows XP will no longer be an approved or supported Operating System. Network Devices - Gaming, TV, DVD, etc Our priority is to assist you in your academic success, therefore, we will first make sure your Internet connection is working for your computer to access academic related services. Thus gaming consoles, software gaming issues, and entertainment device problems are secondary and will be addressed if time allows. We can help on certain issues concerning Internet connection with consoles or entertainment devices, however, we are unable to work on hardware issues with consoles or entertainment devices, as it may void the manufacturer s warranty. To register any device other than a computer you first need to connect it via an Ethernet cable to the network. Next, you need to find and write down the MAC address for the device. Then, from your computer, go to and click on Register Devices and follow directions on page. Proper Use of Information Resources, Information Technology, and Networks Policy When you register your devices on the network, you will be presented with this policy. You need to read it carefully because you will be responsible for following it. Also, you need to follow the Code of Student Community Standards, as well as any other applicable University policies, agreements, or standards that pertain to technology. Please visit the University Policies website via the Policies icon in MyFSU for more information. 7

8 Emergency Notification We want you to be safe on campus so to let you know about emergencies, severe weather, etc. we ha an emergency alert system which can send you text messages, s, or recorded voice messages. The emergency notification system is used to notify registered users of campus closures, class cancellations, severe weather, and on campus emergencies. The primary methods for alerting users include the following: Web: The Ferris State University homepage, serves as the primary source of information updates on winter weather class cancellation/closures or other emergencies. Text Messaging: An alert message may be sent to the mobile devices of Ferris employees and students who have registered for text messaging. If you would like to receive emergency notifications via text message, you will need to go to myfsu.ferris.edu and log in with your username and password. Once in MyFSU find the Student Tab then go to FSU. Click on Campus Satety and Parking and then click Sign up for Text Alerts. Please follow instructions to register your mobile device number. Ferris Facebook and Twitter: Official weather/emergency alerts are posted on the Ferris Facebook site at, and the Ferris Twitter site at, twitter.com/ferrisstate/. Phone: To find out about the status of classes during winter weather or for other emergency notices, call the University s information hotline at (231)

9 Labs & Printing Computer Labs In addition to publicly available labs located in places such as FLITE and in the College of Business, there are also labs for residents of Taggart Hall, Bond Hall, and the West Campus Community Center. The West Campus Community Center computer lab is for residents living in all campus apartments. For assistance with lab computers, please call TAC at (231) or call Toll Free: (877) or just use ext if you are using a phone on the Ferris campus. On Campus Housing Printing Every residence hall has a printer at the front desk available to the students living in that hall. There is also one located in East Campus Suites and in West Campus Community Center for the campus apartment residents. Students will have 200 sheets of paper each semester to use for free printing. Once the student uses their 200 sheet allotment, they will have to purchase additional sheets. The cost of the sheets are $0.05 per sheet ($5.00 minimum purchase). Students will need to call STS (231) (x2556) to purchase additional sheets. The purchase will be charged to their student account. After each semester, all student accounts will be reset to 200 sheets. Balances will not be carried over to the next semester. All printing system user names and passwords will be reset. You will need to have your computer set up to use the network printers. Please go to and click on Printing in Residence Halls for detailed instructions. Your printing login is the same as your MyFSU login information. 9

10 Available Hardware STS carries hardware commonly used with computers to access the Internet. All items purchased from STS are charged to your student account. Below is a list of items available: Networking Supplies: Ethernet Network Cables Five port wired network switch Student Technology Store If you need hardware as part of a repair, or if you just wish to upgrade your computer, feel free to talk to us. We can special order memory, hard drives, video cards, etc., and charge them to your student account (ebill). These special order items must be installed by STS and are subject to a service charge for installation. Available Software Microsoft Products Office Student can now download Office 365 (Office 2013) up to five times free of charge. This can be installed on any computer you own. The software will only work as long as you are a student. Once you leave or graduate the software will no longer work. Windows Operating System - If you are in need of a new OS, please contact STS for options. Adobe We also offer any Adobe at a substantial discount. Please contact STS to see what is available. 10

11 STS Services STS Repair Services Student Technology Services maintains and repairs student-owned computers. We currently offer the following services to help keep your computer in good working order: Installing Operating Systems - (computer rebuild) Software installation Spyware/virus/malware removal RAM (memory) upgrade Hardware replacement Operating System upgrade The fees for the above services will be charged to your student account. For pricing information, please contact STS. STS is an authorized Dell warranty service center. If your Dell computer has a hardware issue, and is still under warranty, STS can repair your hardware at no charge. Software and operating systems are not covered under the Dell warranty. Ferris also has a partnership with HP that will give the buyer an educational discount. Windows XP is not an approved or supported operating system. 11

12 Technology Assistance Center Questions about MyFSU, FerrisConnect, or other IT services? Check out the My Tech Support website to: Find how-to s for common problems Reset your Ferris computing password Read news and updates on University technology See when important systems will be unavailable due to maintenance Find out computer lab hours and locations Look up questions and answers Troubleshoot FerrisConnect issues And much more! Go to: or select the My Tech Support link on the Ferris homepage. TAC Contact Information Have a question, contact the Technology Assistance Center (TAC)! If TAC does not know the answer, they will send your request to the people that can solve it. Feel free to contact TAC in any of the following ways: Phone: (231) or call Toll Free: (877) or just use ext if you are using a phone on the Ferris campus. TAC@ferris.edu Online Chat and Remote Assistnace: and click on Chat with a Specialist TAC Hours of Operation The TAC will answer your phone calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For , chat, and remote assistance service times, go to Technology Service Portal Are you tired of having to call someone when your technology is broken? The Technology Service Portal allows you to create your own tickets, add extra notes to your ticket, and more. To access the Technology Service Portal: Click the Life@FSU icon Then find the Technology Support icon Look for the Technology Service Portal link. 12

13 DMCA Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) The downloading of music, movies, games or programs without compensating the author, artist, or recording company is copyright infringement and illegal. Copyright laws allow making a copy of a personally-owned CD s or DVD s, but only for your personal use. You may be held accountable for digital copyright infringements. This could result in loss of privileges to use the University s network/internet connection and/or legal action by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) or other representative of the author or artist. The consequences for illegal file downloading/sharing may include severe financial fines or criminal prosecution. In addition, most downloading locations are playgrounds for viruses, trojans, or other nasty computer bugs. If you have been or are downloading, file copying or sharing files, STOP NOW! If not... DON T START!! 13

14 Find Us On the Map Need help finding your way? Use this map to help find your way to the important locations for any of your technology needs. Of course, you can always contact us via phone or on our tech support websites, but feel free to visit us in person in the University Center Building (UCB). N 14 STS Store & Repair Services Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm (Except during holidays and breaks) 805 Campus Dr. UCB Big Rapids, MI

15 FAQs Q. How do I get help with my computer once I am on campus? The first thing you will want to do is contact the Technology Assistance Center (TAC); you can call them at (231) or toll free (877) They can help you resolve many problems over the phone, or visit their website at Q. Can a technician come to my room to fix my computer? Most of the time, techs will only visit on-campus residences to fix the network ports and related equipment owned by Ferris. Exceptions have been made under very special circumstances. Otherwise, you will need to bring your computer to the STS office to get it fixed. See the map on page 14 for directions to the STS Office. Visit us during our store hours to drop off your computer. Please bring your laptop s power supply. Please be aware that your repairs may take longer than normal during iconnect because technicians will have an increased workload. Q. What is the difference between Campus Wide ID (CWID) and Ferris Computing ID? A Campus Wide ID (CWID) is a set of eight numbers that are used in conjunction with your name for identification and administrative purposes. The Ferris Computing ID is comprised of part of your last name and the first initial of your first name, and sometimes a number. This ID is used to log into MyFSU and most online Ferris services. 15

16 Ferris State University Student Technology Services 805 Campus Dr. UCB 108 Big Rapids, MI NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BIG RAPIDS MI PERMIT NO. 77 Remember To Bring This With You On Orientation Day!