Quick Facts for New Students
Network Account: Each new student is issued a computer network account and username which has a maximum of 8 letters and 2 numbers. In most cases, it will be the first initial of your first name followed by the first 7 letters of your last name and the 2-digit year of entry at BW. (Ex: gwashing11)
Network Passwords: A temporary default password is also assigned when your account is created. Instructions for accessing the BW network and changing your password during the first login are sent by mail to the home address. Students are encouraged to choose “strong” passwords by using upper & lower case letters, numeric digits, punctuation, and a minimum of 8 characters. Always maintain and protect the security and integrity of your accounts: Passwords should never be shared with others!
E-Mail: BW students use Microsoft “Outlook Live” e-mail. Your e-mail address is your network account name (username) followed by @mail.bw.edu. To access your e-mail, go to: outlook.com and enter your full e-mail address (ex: gwashing11@mail.bw.edu) and password. Outlook accounts also feature a “Sky Drive” with 10GB of e-mail storage and 25GB of personal file storage space!
Wireless & Wired Networks: Wireless service is available in all academic buildings, residence halls, most open areas of the campus, and at B‑W East. To access the wireless network from either campus, you must configure your wireless devices to be compatible. For instructions, go to: http://wireless.bw.edu. B‑W’s gigabit fiber optic wired network provides high-speed access to the Internet and Internet2 in all campus buildings, residence halls, and at B‑W East in Beachwood. Appropriately configured personal computers can connect directly via active ports located in classrooms, resident rooms, or labs.
Network File Storage: Students are provided with 100MB of space on the network (H:drive) to store files. Files can then be accessed from any networked computer or multimedia cart on campus.
Blackboard Academic Suite: “Blackboard” is an electronic learning management system which allows instructors and students the ability to share materials and information. The “Yellow Jacket Portal” feature in Blackboard is a customized gateway to all the resources and materials available to B‑W students. You have the ability to customize a home page with links to your courses, organizations, and frequently used resources. You are then equipped to receive announcements and information specific to your participation on campus. To access Blackboard, go to: http://www.bw.edu/campus.
Online Forms for New Students: Incoming freshmen students complete their orientation forms online using WebExpress (http://webadvisor.bw.edu), including the application for housing, summer orientation session choice, and a course schedule preference form. Instructions on how to access these forms, as well as a username and password, will be sent by mail to all new students after a deposit is paid.
WebExpress Online Registration: All students (except first semester freshmen) have access to Web Express – an online system to register for classes, access records, view schedules, grades, and program evaluation (degree audit) information. Web Express also includes a Graduation Plan feature which helps you map out a four-year plan and keep your progress on track.
Online Planning Tools: Students are encouraged to use the BW Action Plan and e-Portfolio (located in Blackboard) for monitoring their academic, social, personal, and professional goals. The tools will help you to track coursework, experiences, plans, and life!
Computer Labs: There are 35 computer labs located across campus and 2 at B‑W East. The Math and Computer Science Lab is open 24-hours a day. All labs feature MS Office 2007, web-authoring tools, graphic design packages, computer simulations, statistical software, programming languages, and discipline-specific software. Two Cyber Cafés (one in the Student Union, one at the Center for Innovation and Growth) offer Internet access in a coffeehouse setting. The multimedia lab in M/CS is for scanning images, A/V editing, PDF file creation, burning DVDs, streaming media, building web pages, and creating computer animations. Students can readily locate available seats in campus computer labs by accessing the online application in Blackboard which features real-time results of where seats are open.
Printing: Each semester, full-time students (12+ credits) are given a $25.00 credit allowance for printing in the B‑W computer labs. Part-time students (1-11 credits) receive a $15.00 credit. Each black & white sheet printed is deducted at .05/page and color printing is .40/page. Duplex printing (available in some labs) counts as one page. The balance declines as printing is utilized throughout the semester. You can monitor your print usage by selecting the “My B‑W Printing Activity Report” module in Blackboard. B‑W offers Wireless Printing which provides you with the ability to work anywhere on campus, queue your print job to a lab of choice, and go to that lab’s release station and print your document.
Classrooms: Multimedia podiums with a networked computer, DVD/CD drive, ceiling-mounted data projector, Internet access, A/V tools, and laptop connectors are present in most classrooms on campus.
Game Consoles: Resident students with game systems such as the Wii, PS3, and Xbox can connect to the B‑W network in their residence hall. Register your system at: http://resnet.bw.edu/gameregister.
Anti-Virus Software: BW provides all students with an anti-virus client, Symantec. Software and available updates are provided to all students free of charge and can be downloaded directly from the network (while on campus) at: http://virus.bw.edu.
Professional Support Services: The BW HelpDesk (440-826-7000), located at 20 Beech St., provides telephone and online chat support for student computing questions. Students can also access the online HelpDesk in Blackboard to retrieve additional information, tips, and Quick Cards. The HelpDesk is able to perform a variety of fee-charged PC repair services (such as cleaning viruses or spyware and re-installing operating systems) on Dell, IBM, HP, and other products. BW is also an Apple Authorized Repair Center.
Telephone Service: Local and campus-wide telephone service with voicemail is available to resident students by request only (in-person) at the Telecommunications Office located at 10 Beech Street. Students who request service must provide their own corded analog or cordless telephone. Long distance service is not provided and must be made from cell phones or with calling cards.
File Sharing, Music or Video Downloads: Students should be aware of the significant security risks associated with Peer-To-Peer (file sharing) applications, including viruses which can cause irretrievable loss of data. Furthermore, in compliance with HEOA (Higher Education Opportunity Act) and DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) regulations, B‑W will take action against alleged copyright infringements, such as the unauthorized download or distribution of copyrighted materials, which occurs from a device connected to the campus network. (http://www.bw.edu/resources/infotech/pubs/heoa/.)
Misuse of Facilities and Services: Students are expected to refrain from activities that are illegal, destructive, harassing, or reduce the ability of others to make use of the shared electronic network and facilities. Consequences for misuse can result in restricted access, termination of use of electronic facilities, or more severe penalties. See the “Responsible Use of Information Technology Resources” policy (http://www.bw.edu/resources/infotech/pubs/Responsible_Use_of_IT_Resources_Policy.pdf).