This is a technology overview from UCS (University Computing Services) at Western Oregon University.
PAWPRINT:
The username and password that faculty/staff/students use to login to most WOU systems is called the Pawprint account. Here is the Pawprint's logo:
If you see a webpage with the logo, you'll know to use your Pawprint account to login to it. WOU users can change this password at any time by visiting AccountLookup (http://www.wou.edu/accountlookup).
For most WOU users the first time that the Pawprint account will be used is to gain access to a WOU computer. You can login to any PC, Mac or Thinclient on campus with your Pawprint account. A Thinclient is a micro-computer that is used in many WOU computer labs.
REMOTE ACCESS:
One very powerful tool that UCS offers is called Remote desktop. From any PC (on or off campus), you can click START, RUN and type in "mstsc", and click OK (Remote Desktop can be downloaded by Apple computers at MacTopia). The Remote Desktop Connection window will open. Type in "ts.wou.edu" and click Connect.
You'll be prompted for your username. If your username is "smithb", then you would type in "mash\smithb" and then type your password. The Remote Desktop window will then contain what we call a Terminal Server session. You can access your drives and many programs from the Terminal Server. You can logoff anytime by click START, LOGOFF.
DRIVES:
After logging into a WOU computer, users will have access to the following drives:
H
The H Drive is a users' personal drive. Personal and/or work files can be stored here and are only accessible by the specific user.
I (Faculty/Staff only)
The I Drive is a departmental drive. Primarily faculty/staff will use this drive to share files with other members of their departments.
J (Faculty/Staff only)
The J Drive is a shared drive. Departments use this drive to share information between departments.
K (Student/Faculty only)
The K Drive is a class drive. Faculty and students can access this drive to post syllabi, homework, or turn in assignments.
Other drives may be assigned based on the user.
TECH SUPPORT:
For assistance, UCS provides a Service Request Desk from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. They can be reached at 88925 or by emailing ucshelpdesk@wou.edu. This is similar to a "Help Desk" in that you would contact for technical assistance. If they resolve your technical issue(s) over-the-phone (although they often can), they will document whatever problem/question that you have and route that information to a UCS technician. Our technicians get that information and will contact you to help resolve the issue/answer your question.
WIRELESS:
Wireless access is available in nearly every area of campus. A few residence halls do not have wireless access, but nearly every other building and public outdoor area has wireless access. Student fees automatically all students to access wireless. Faculty/Staff can register for free wireless for free:
http://www.wou.edu/wireless
PORTAL
To access WOU's online systems, you will want to start at the Portal. As expected, you access the Portal using your Pawprint account. Once logged into Portal, you are automatically logged into the following WOU systems (a URL may be included below to access one of these systems directly):
Google Apps - [Portal only]
- Email, Calendar, Documents, etc...
- Class list, registration, pay you bill, address information, grades, etc...
- Online course information. Many faculty will post schedules, assignments and syllabi.
- MyLibrary, Summit & ILL (Inter-Library Loan).
- Information for carpools, things for sale, etc...
- Campus Emergency Alert System. Use this tool to update your emergency contact information.
Some Faculty/Staff will also have access to the Banner system via the Portal - http://www.wou.edu/bannerINB
You can access these systems inside of Portal by click their icons in the upper right-hand corner.
The Portal system also includes programs and tools developed locally. These will display in channels that can be opened/shut and moved around. New channels continue to be created, so check back from time-to-time for new channels.
