Getting Started

Technology at Roger Williams University

The Information Technology department serves the University community’s information technology needs. We provide Internet connectivity and network infrastructure, telecommunications and support of labs, dorm rooms, desktops and collaboration tools.

When you plan your campus visit, please visit us in the lower level of the Law School. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions about technology in person. Meanwhile, please utilize our website to help answer your questions about technology at Roger Williams.

myRWU Account

All students receive myRWU accounts. This account grants you access to the University Portal, our online community, and provides access to student services including class registration, financial aid, G-apps and Gmail, campus announcements and calendars.

How to obtain a myRWU account: Students will be mailed account information upon acceptance

• Full-time Undergraduate Admitted Students
• Online Students
• Law School Students
• Graduate Students

Call the Help Desk at 401-254-5200 for further assistance.

• Press option #1 if you are a student.
• (Press option #2 if you are faculty or staff.)
• Press option #3 if you have a Datatel or myRWU problem.

Buying a Computer

Many students wonder whether they can use a computer they already own or if they should buy one for college. Roger Williams provides computers for community use in the common labs and other computer labs, at convenient locations around campus.

Each student will have a different set of considerations when buying a computer, choosing a Mac or PC, etc. RWU has partnered with GovConnection and Apple for special student pricing on some of their most popular computers and peripherals.  Roger Williams University created this standardized computing environment to its students that includes full business-class hardware and software support at very reasonable academic discount pricing.

You should also review your college’s web site to be aware of minimum system recommendations and any special computer requirements for your specific major and/or academic department. 

Where to Go for Help

For walk-in computer and technology help:

• Student Support Center: for computer recommendations, wireless information for students, free computer help services, additional resources and links. Located on the Lower Level of the Law School.
• Help Desk: call 401-254-5200

• Press option #1 if you are a student.
• (Press option #2 if you are faculty or staff.)
• Press option #3 if you have a Datatel or myRWU problem.

Bridges Support (Sakai LMS)

Bridges provides the academic community with a single environment to manage courses, build e-portfolios for teaching, learning and assessment, and collaborate with colleagues on research, projects, and varied other University activities. Bridges is fully integrated with ePortfolio and facilitates the work of both faculty and students through a consistent toolset of instruction, research collaboration, projects, advising, assessment and committee work.

The Department of Instructional Design will provide support for faculty and students using the Bridges system. To contact the Instructional Design team please send an email to id@rwu.edu or call 401-254-3187.

In addition the ID team has created a self-help support site that provides documentation on frequently used tools and functions that will supplement the help documentation already available in Bridges. We will be adding to this site regularly so check back often. If you would like a tutorial added, please contact the Instructional Design team at id@rwu.edu.

To log in to Bridges: https://bridges.rwu.edu/xsl-portal

Support Sites for Bridges:
For Faculty and Students: http://departments.rwu.edu/id/Bridges/

Printing

A $15.00 per semester printing credit (210 black & white pages) will be placed on each student's ID/Unicard. This allotment will be on a separate tender reserved for printing. Any remaining balance does not carry over to the next semester. Once the student has utilized all printing credit, printing charges are $.07 per page for black and white copies and $.17 per page for color. Printing required by a faculty member during a regularly scheduled class in a classroom or lab will be exempt from this policy. Specialized print jobs related to Architecture, Engineering and Graphic Design are currently exempt from this policy. RWU will review these policies on a regular basis.

Security

Protect yourself and the university against malicious Internet activity.

Read some helpful hints to a more secure computing experience below:

• IT will never send an email asking users for their user names and passwords. Do not ever give your password out in email.
• Avoid leaving your laptop unattended.
• Recognize email phishing scams; remember to use https versions of websites when possible, versus answering blind emails.
• Be weary of clicking on website “pop-ups”.

Suggestions for changing (and managing!) passwords

1. Do not share your passwords with anyone!
2. Don’t use a personal reference for your password. If everyone knows you dog’s name is Fido, that’s not a strong password!
3. Having a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers makes a password stronger.  Eight characters or longer is recommended.
4. Use mnemonics to create a difficult password that is easy for you to remember. For example, “Follow the yellow brick road” translates into Ftybr. If you happened to act in that play in 2005, you could make your password 20ftybr05 for an extremely strong password. You can apply this to sports, awards, etc. as well.
5. On line banking passwords should be changed more often than other passwords. This rule applies to any account you feel vital and critical.
6. Don’t use the same password repetitively-if one is discovered, you don’t want all your accounts compromised.
7. Do not store passwords where they can be easily found. Under your keyboard or on your cell phone are not safe places!
8. If you need a password changed by an administrator, change the temporary  password immediately after.

To change your password:

1. Open your web browser
2. Type in myid.rwu.edu
3. Click on the appropriate picture: “Administration and Staff” or “Faculty and Students”
4. Follow the directions to:

• Enroll: Enroll yourself with SMOP. First time users should go here. The process is very simple and should take no more than a few minutes.
• Update Enrollment: After you have enrolled, you can update your enrollment here and change answers to your security questions or change the security questions.
• Reset Password: Go here if you have forgotten your password and need to reset to a new password.
• Unlock Account: Go here if your account is locked out and you would like to keep your existing password.
• Change Password: You may change your network login password by clicking here. 

You may select the Help button on the upper right hand side for more information and assistance.

For questions on passwords or security, please contact the RWU Technical helpdesk at 401-254-5200.

Gaming at RWU

Game System Registration

You must register game consoles. Please go to the following URL to register:
http://rwunas.rwu.edu/registration/GameRegister.html

Requests for access to Gaming ports, once received via gameports@rwu.edu, will be reviewed to determine if the ports required for your game pose a threat to the University’s Network Security.

Please note:

World of Warcraft ports and/or IPs may be changed by Blizzard from release to release, affecting your ability to play. Patches may also fail due to Blizzard’s use of p2p for patch distribution. Be sure to disable p2p connectivity in the Blizzard Downloader application as this feature is being blocked. Point your web browser to http://www.blizzard.com/patches to keep your install current and download the latest WoW patches.

International Students

Using your PC or Mac in the United States:

Electrical current in the United States is 110 to 120 volts, with a frequency of 60 hertz.

If you have a Windows-based PC, refer to your machine’s documentation or look at the back of the computer for the voltage switch that leads to the computer's power supply, inside the case. You may see a switch that will let you manually select 115 volts or you may need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

Apple Computer states that “the majority of its Macintosh computers that were manufactured after 1987 are ''universal'' and can handle currents between 100 and 240 volts, and 50 to 60 hertz.” Look at the machine's F.C.C. identification label for its voltage requirements, or refer to the technical specifications section of the user's manual.

Your monitor, printer and other devices may not be adaptable; refer to the electrical specifications in the documentation that came with your equipment. Apple says most of its products are “frequency independent”. You may also verify this information on line via the manufacturer’s website.

Feel free to bring a portable printer for your dorm room but remember to keep in mind power requirements. You may also use the printers on campus, located in common areas.

It is common for people in the United States to work on their laptops in public spaces. The campus has wireless capability.

Before You Travel:

Hard drives can be damaged due to excessive movement. Laptops usually include motion sensor [drop] protection, a technology that senses when the computer suddenly changes position, locking the read/write head of the hard drive to help prevent damage. Even so, we recommend you:

• Make backup copies of all your important files, and delete everything that is unnecessary, as well as sensitive information that you do not need overseas.
• Bring a backup CD of the operating system, as well as backups of important software that you need. Bringing a repair CD (which you should have received when you purchased your laptop) in case you have hard disk drive problems and we need to assist in troubleshooting or restoring.

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Information Technology provides each faculty member with a standard computer. You have your choice of a laptop or a desktop. Certain faculty may also have a choice between a Windows or MAC platform.

Computers are replaced every three to five years to the latest industry standard. If you require any special requests for a computer you must seek permission from your Dean before we can fill that request. Please view the standard computer link for the most recent configuration.

Installing Your New Computer

Your computer will be set up and installed by an Information Technology Computer Technician. The technician will transfer the files from your old PC to the new. Your computer will come preinstalled with our standard suite of software. Other software needs will be fulfilled pending the proper licensing. Your old PC will be taken away for disposal when the new computer is installed.

Network Access

Your Dean or department head must authorize a Network Access form to be connected to E-mail, the Datatel administrative system and Network storage access. Please click here for the form.

Printing

Faculty and staff members shall print to the network attached laser printer in the department for which they work.

Printer issues shall be reported to the Information Technology Help Desk at ext 5200 option #2.

University Supplied Software

Roger Williams University provides access to a variety of standard software running under Windows 7 as well as MacOSX.   Faculty and staff may also visit the eacademy web site to purchase software for a minimal fee.

Accounts and Servers

Usernames and Passwords

When you come to Roger Williams University you will be given an Roger Williams University username and password. When possible, usernames consist of the first initial of your first name followed by your last name, followed by @academics.rwu. For example jsmith@academics.rwu. Your email address will remain jsmith@rwu.edu.

Most new faculty will receive a letter containing their account information prior to arriving on campus. Other new employees usually receive their account information on the first day of employment from their supervisor, department chair, or department academic coordinator. If your account hasn’t been set up, please contact the helpdesk at ext 5200 to receive an update on the status of your account.

You may change your Roger Williams University password by performing the following steps:

• After logging into your computer, hit CTRL+ATL+DEL
• Click the Change Password box
• Enter your new password
• Confirm your new password

If you are an adjunct professor or are unable to login to your account, you can reset your password by going to http://myid.rwu.edu, and follow the onscreen instructions.

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Information Technology provides each staff member with a standard computer.Computers are replaced every three to five years to the latest industry standard. If you require any special requests for a computer you must seek permission from your department head before we can fill that request. Please view the standard computer link for the most recent configuration.

Installing Your New Computer

Your computer will be set up and installed by an Information Technology Computer Technician. The technician will transfer the files from your old PC to the new. Your computer will come pre-installed with our standard suite of software. Other software needs will be fulfilled pending the proper licensing. Your old PC will be taken away for disposal when the new computer is installed.

Network Access

Your department head must authorize a Network Access form to be connected to E-mail, the Datatel administrative system and Network storage access. Please click here for the form.

Printing

Staff shall print to the network attached laser printer in their department.

Printer issues should be reported to the Information Technology Help Desk at ext 5200, option #2.

University Supplied Software

Roger Williams University provides access to a variety of standard software running under Windows 7 as well as MacOSX.  Staff may also visit the eacademy web site to purchase software for a minimal fee.

Accounts and Servers

Usernames and Passwords

When you come to Roger Williams University you will be given an Roger Williams University username and password. When possible, usernames consist of the first initial of your first name followed by your last name, followed by @rwu.edu. For example jsmith@rwu.edu. Your email address will remain jsmith@rwu.edu.

Most new staff will receive their account information on the first day of employment from their supervisor. If your account hasn’t been set up, please contact the helpdesk at ext 5200 to receive an update on the status of your account.

You may change your Roger Williams University password by performing the following steps:

• After logging into your computer, hit CTRL+ATL+DEL
• Click the Change Password box
• Enter your new password
• Confirm your new password

To reset your password, go to http://myid.rwu.edu, and follow the onscreen instructions.

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RWU Alumni Email Account for Life!

Information Technology has partnered with Google to make email for life possible for all RWU alumni through Google’s Software as a Service (SaaS) named “Google Apps”.  Included in this service is:

• Email
• Calendar
• Chat
• Docs (Word, Excel & PowerPoint “like” apps in a web browser)
• Sites (personal Web pages)
• Video

All of these services can be accessed through your mobile device and everyone will have access to 7 GB of storage capacity.

Your new email address will be in the format of rwilliams123@alumni.rwu.edu.

It is easy to sign up and you can choose to forward this account to a preferred address if you do not want to manage multiple emails.  It is also a wonderful way to show your allegiance to your alma mater, as your email address will tell the world that you are proud RWU alum.

Besides the convenience of having a free email account, this permanent email will allow you to have advanced notice and registration for upcoming events.   Furthermore, you will be helping us to “go green” and become more sustainable as we reduce the amount of paper mailings we send.  All the technical information is explained below, but if you have any questions, please call Alumni Relations at (401) 254-3005 or email us at alumni@rwu.edu.

Logging into your Gmail account is very simple.

• Start Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or any other application you use to browse the Internet.
• Go to http://gmail.rwu.edu
• Click the “Sign in” link on the upper-right side of the page
• Login with your credentials
• Username  = (first initial of first name)(last name)(3 digit number) – mailed to you
• Enter your temporary password, which is the first initial of your first name, the first initial of your last name, the last four digits of your Social Security Number (if you have one), followed by RWU (Example: js1234RWU).
• Click Sign In
• Click on the “Inbox” link on the right side of the page

If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to call our helpdesk (401-254-5200).

By the way, please be sure to visit our RWU Alumni Facebook page and become a fan! 

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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