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Northwest Technology: What You Need to Know!
...a guide for new students
Table of Contents
What is Northwest’s password criteria?
12
How do I change my Northwest Network Account
password?12
How do I get to the Changing Passwords web page?
12
Where do I pick-up my campus-issued notebook
computer?13
What do I need to do, and take with me, to be
able to pick-up my campus-issued notebook computer? 13
What do I do if my campus-issued notebook computer
needs repairs?
14
If I damage my computer will I be able to get a
replacement?14
Am I financially responsible for repairs to my
campus-issued notebook computer?
15
What types of damage are there beyond “every
day wear and tear”?
15
What are the typical fees for damage to a
campus-issued notebook computer?
16
What do I do if my campus-issued notebook
computer is lost or stolen?
16
What can I do to protect myself financially if
my campus-issued notebook computer is
severely damaged, lost or stolen?
17
Introduction3
What online services do I have at Northwest?4
How do I get a Northwest Network Account?4
When will I get my Northwest Network
Account information?
5
What do I need to know about myNorthwest?5
Where do I find myNorthwest?5
How do I login to myNorthwest?6
What do I need to know about my student email?
6
Where do I find student email and file storage?
6
How do I login to Student Email?7
How do I login to my personal file storage?
7
What do I need to know about CatPAWS?8
Where do I find CatPAWS?8
How do I login to CatPAWS?9
What do I need to know about Northwest Online?10
Where do I find Northwest Online?10
How do I login to Northwest Online?10
Do I use my Bearcat ID number to login to a campus
computer?11
What do I need to know about my Northwest
Network Account username and password?
11
1
Table of Contents continued...
Can I use a web-cam on the Northwest network?22
Can I video instant message on the Northwest network? 22
How can I get DSL for my Northwest residence
hall room?
22
Can I use a router on the Northwest network
or in my residence hall room?
23
What else should I know about technology
and my residence hall room?
23
Who do I call for repair service of wireless or
the access points in my residence hall room?
24
Will I be charged for on-site repair of the
wireless or the access points in my residence
hall room?
24
Will Information Technology schedule an on-site visit
at my residence hall room for repair of my
campus-issued notebook computer?
24
What do I do if I need help with a technology-related
issue?25
Are there any campus technology policies that I need to
know about?
26
Are their technology security issues I need to
know about?
26
Where can I purchase liability insurance?
17
When, and where, do I return my campus-issued
notebook computer?
18
Do I need to back-up my personal files before
returning my campus-issued notebook computer?
18
Can I use my own personally-purchased
19
computer on the Northwest campus?
Can I use my own personally-purchased tablet
or ereader on campus?
19
Can I use my own personally-owned smart phone on
campus?19
Can I connect my smart phone to my Northwest
Student Email?20
Can I connect my Mac computer to the
Northwest network?
20
Do I need to bring a printer to campus?
20
If I decide I want to personally purchase a printer for
my residence hall room, can it be wireless?
21
Can I use my gaming equipment on the Northwest
network?21
2
Introduction
Director of Client Computing
Merlin Miller
W
elcome to Northwest Missouri State
University!
Guide Editor in Chief
Kim Todd
Guide Contributors
Cheryl Birkenholz
Tim Carlyle
Dale Grasty
Michael Mandrick
Merlin Miller
Tabatha Verbick
Darren Whitley
Northwest’s Information Technology department
has been a consistent leader in providing the
campus with high-access computer technology
since 1987. Northwest and Information Technology
have a strong commitment to ubiquitous
technology on campus and wireless service is a
key part of that commitment. Wireless service
continues to expand on campus as funding and
opportunity allow.
Cover art and interior design by
Kim Todd
The Northwest Technology: What You Need to
Know! guide is designed to help new students
better understand Northwest’s technology
services and resources.
All Microsoft clip art/images are copyright © 2015 to Microsoft
Corporation (www.microsoft.com) and used for educational
purposes by Northwest Missouri State University with Microsoft’s
permission. All other Northwest clip art/images are copyright ©
2015 Northwest Missouri State University. Special thank you to
Assistant Athletics Director of Marketing, Promotions and
Licensing, Nate Davis, for use of Northwest athletic logos.
If this guide doesn’t answer your technology
question(s), call the Information Technology
Help Desk at 660.562.1634.
Questions about the guide and its content may be directed to
Kim Todd at 660.562.1634.
3
What online services do I have at
Northwest?
How do I get a Northwest Network
Account?
You have several University online services that
are accessed with your Northwest Network Account
information. They are:
Once you are registered for classes, a Northwest
Network Account will be created for you. The
account consists of a username and password.
•
•
•
•
•
Example of a username and password:
myNorthwest
Student email and file storage
CatPAWS
Library search engines (off campus)
Northwest Online
Username: s500500
Password: Rgw$4552
PPrior to being issued your Northwest Network
Account information, you will be given a unique
Bearcat identification number (919) and PIN.
Your 919 number will also be located on
SU
the Bearcat ID card issued to you.
M
W
PCampus online accounts can be accessed on the
Northwest home page (www.nwmissouri.edu)
Simply mouse over [place your pointer over]
the Connect option. A drop down menu will
appear. Click on the link for the service you
want.
N
Example of a Bearcat ID
and PIN:
Bearcat ID: 919000000
PIN:
041414
4
When will I get my Northwest
Network Account information?
What do I need to know about
myNorthwest?
You will be given your Northwest Network
Account username and password at SOAR or,
once registered for classes, you can locate the
information within the Personal Information
section of CatPAWS.
PYour Northwest Network Account username will
begin with an “S” for student. Example:
s500500
You will need your Northwest Network Account
username and password to do the following:
• Pick up your campus-issued notebook
computer
• Log on to a campus computer in a university
classroom or lab
• Logon to your campus-issued notebook
computer
• Print to a campus-networked printer
• Access campus online services
The myNorthwest web portal is a central location
for you to access your email, personal, academic,
organizational and work information, etc.
Where do I find myNorthwest?
The myNorthwest web portal can be easily
accessed from the Northwest home page.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu
Mouse over the Connect option on the home
page. A drop down menu will appear. Click on
myNorthwest beneath the Quick Tools list.
Or, you can type in the web address in your
preferred web browser such as Internet Explorer or
Google Chrome.
7: http://my.nwmissouri.edu
PYour Northwest Network Account password
expires every 4 months (120 days).
5
What do I need to know about my
student email?
How do I login to myNorthwest?
You will use your Northwest Network Account
username and password to login to myNorthwest.
As a Northwest student you are issued a student
email account with at least 10 gigabytes of
storage. A student is also issued personal file
storage through that email. Personal file storage
should be at least 7 gigabytes.
• Go to the myNorthwest home page.
7: http://my.nwmissouri.edu/
• Type your Northwest Network Account
information in the username and
password areas of the Login box.
Where do I find student email and
file storage?
Example:
Student Email (and personal file storage) can be
accessed via myNorthwest and from the Quick Tools
list beneath Connect on the home page.
Username: s500500
Password: Sgw$4552
• Click the Login button.
7: http://my.nwmissouri.edu
7: www.nwmissouri.edu
Or, you can type in the web address in your
preferred web browser such as Internet Explorer.
7: www.outlook.com/mail.nwmissouri.edu
6
How do I login to Student Email?
Go to the Student Email login page.
The first time you access email, you may be
asked to select your language and your time zone.
Select English and Central (US & Canada).
7: www.outlook.com/mail.nwmissouri.edu
PWithin email you will have access to
Microsoft’s OneDrive, which allows you to store
and share personal files such as photos, videos
and documents.
You will use your full email address (which includes
your Northwest Network Account username) and
your Northwest Network Account password to log
on to Student Email (plus file storage).
How do I login to my personal file
storage?
Example:
Once you are logged into Student Email with
your full Northwest email address and Northwest
Network Account password, you are already logged
into your personal file storage. To access your
personal file storage, click on the OneDrive link,
which is typically located in the upper right hand
corner of your email screen.
Email Address: [email protected]
Password: Sgw$4552
PUnlike students, faculty and staff do not have
a @mail.nwmissouri.edu email address.
Instead, faculty and staff are issued a
@nwmissouri.edu address.
PThe first time you click on OneDrive be sure
Once on the Student Email login page, type your
Northwest Network Account email address and
password in the appropriate text-boxes. Click the
Sign in button.
to fill out all the information requested so
that you will be able to store and share your
documents, photos and videos, etc.
7
What do I need to know about
CatPAWS?
Where do I find CatPAWS?
CatPAWS can be accessed via myNorthwest and
from the Quick Tools list beneath Connect on the
Northwest home page.
CatPAWS is a web-based program that allows
you to enroll in classes, drop classes, view
your Northwest Network Account information
(username and initial password), official course
grades, unofficial transcript, housing assignment,
campus bill, notebook computer contract, etc.
7: http://my.nwmissouri.edu
7: www.nwmissouri.edu
Or, you can type in the web address in your
preferred web browser such as Internet Explorer.
For more information about CatPAWS see the
following web address:
7: https://ssb.nwmissouri.edu
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/CatPaws/index.htm
NWMS
U
8
How do I login to CatPAWS?
PYour initial Bearcat ID PIN will be set to
your numeric birthday in 2-digit format.
Click on the CatPAWS tab within myNorthwest or
the Connect option on the Northwest home page
to access CatPAWS. You can also go directly to
the CatPAWS login page at:
Example of an initial Bearcat ID PIN:
PIN: 041414
• Once you login to CatPAWS, you will be told
that your initial PIN is expired and you will
be asked to create a new Bearcat ID PIN.
7: https://ssb.nwmissouri.edu
PYou can access your CatPAWS information
through myNorthwest without using your
Bearcat ID and PIN. If you use the Connect
option on the Northwest home page or go
directly to CatPAWS via the web address,
you will need to login to CatPAWS with your
Bearcat ID (919) and PIN rather than your
Northwest Network Account information.
PThe new PIN must be at least 6-characters
long and, unlike your Northwest Network
Account password which is alpha-numeric
and 8-characters long, can be all numbers.
Example of an acceptable Bearcat ID PIN:
PIN: 446923
• Once on the CatPAWS home page, click on
the Login/Enter Secure Area link.
• Type your Bearcat ID number and PIN into
the User ID and PIN text-boxes.
• Click the Login button.
• Once you have created a new PIN, you will be
asked to select a Security Question and type in
the answer to the question.
PYour Bearcat ID PIN expires every 2 years.
9
What do I need to know about
Northwest Online?
How do I login to Northwest
Online?
Northwest Online allows online access to class
syllabuses, assignments, grades and exams, etc.
Click on the Northwest Online tab within
myNorthwest or the Connect option on the
Northwest home page to access Northwest Online.
You can also go directly to the login page at:
Where do I find Northwest Online?
Northwest Online can be accessed from
myNorthwest or the Northwest home page.
7: http://my.nwmissouri.edu
7: www.nwmissouri.edu
From the Northwest home page, mouse over the
Connect option. A drop down menu will appear.
Click on either myNorthwest or Northwest Online
beneath the Quick Tools list.
Or, you can type in the web address in your
preferred web browser such as Google Chrome.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/online
PYour initial Northwest Online password can be
found within Personal Information in your
CatPAWS account.
7: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/online
• Once on the Northwest Online login page, type
your Northwest Network Account username
into the User ID field.
• Type your Northwest Online password in the
Password field.
• Click the Go to Class button.
• To open a specific class, click on the course
name link.
SU
M
W
N
10
Do I use my Bearcat ID number to
login to a campus computer?
What do I need to know about
my Northwest Network Account
username and password?
No! You do not use your Bearcat ID (919) number
to login to a networked campus computer or to
your campus-issued notebook computer.
Your Northwest Network Account username
begins with a “S” and includes 6 numbers. Your
Northwest Network Account username will never
expire. The username cannot be changed.
Instead, you will login with your Northwest
Network Account information, which includes
an assigned username that will begin with the
letter “S” for student and an 8-character, alphanumeric password.
Your Northwest Network Account password will
expire every 4 months (120 days) and can be
changed to something that you prefer.
Even though you can change your password, you
still must meet Northwest password criteria to be
able to successfully change your password.
PChanging the Northwest Network Account
password affects logging into a campus
computer, myNorthwest, Student Email, and the
library search engines from off-campus. It
does not change the PIN for CatPAWS or
the password for Northwest Online.
You will be issued an initial Northwest
Network Account password that includes numbers,
as well as, uppercase and lowercase letters.
Your initial Northwest Network Account password
will expire within 4 months of its creation (120
days).
After your initial Northwest Network Account
password expires, you will need to create a new
password, which for security reasons will also
expire every 4 months (120 days.)
11
What is Northwest’s password
criteria?
How do I change my Northwest
Network Account password?
When changing your Northwest Network Account
password you must meet the following criteria:
To change the Northwest Network Account
password go to the Changing Passwords web page
and follow the directions provided.
• Must be 8 to 16 characters long and contain
no spaces.
• Can not contain your name or other sensitive
personal information like Social Security
number.
• Must have a uppercase letter, lowercase
letter and at least one number.
• Other than the underscore ( _ ) symbol
special characters are not recommended.
• Do not use the underscore symbol or other
special characters at the beginning or end of
your password.
PIf you have difficulty changing your password
when using a special character, remove the
special character and see if that resolves the
problem.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
passwords/index.htm
How do I get to the Changing
Passwords web page?
• Go to the Northwest home page.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu
• Mouse over Connect.
• Once the drop-down menu appears, click
on the Changing Passwords link beneath the
Quick Tools list.
• Follow the password directions for using
either a non-University provided personal
computer or your campus-issued notebook
computer.
12
Where do I pick-up my campusissued notebook computer?
What do I need to do, and take
with me, to be able to pick-up my
campus-issued notebook computer?
At Northwest, we provide you with textbooks and
a notebook computer.
R
R
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
CampusNotebooks
Be enrolled in at least one Northwest class.
Have read and signed the Notebook
Computer Agreement.
PYour Notebook Computer Agreement is
You will pick up your campus-issued notebook
computer at the Jon T. Rickman Electronic Campus
Support Center (ECSC).
located in the Personal Information area of
CatPAWS.
R Know your current Northwest Network
Account username and password.
ECSC Fall & Spring Trimester Hours*
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
PYour initial Northwest Network Account
password is located in the Personal
Information area of CatPAWS.
R Have your Bearcat ID card.
PYou will get your Bearcat ID card during
Advantage or at the Auxiliary Services
office in the Student Union, 2nd floor.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/studentaffairs/
auxiliary/card.htm
*Hours may vary during holidays or at fall and spring
trimester notebook computer pickup and return times.
The ECSC is also where you take your campusissued notebook computer for repair. All repair of
campus-issued notebook computers due to “every
day wear and tear” is free-of-charge. Computers
brought in after 4:30 p.m. may not be serviced
until the next business day.
13
What do I do if my campus-issued
notebook computer needs repairs?
If I damage my computer will I be
able to get a replacement?
Hardware and software repair is available
free-of-charge at the Jon T. Rickman Electronic
Campus Support Center (ECSC) for all campusissued notebook computers.
If you damaged your campus-issued notebook
computer and need a replacement, you will be
issued another notebook computer at the Jon T.
Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center (ECSC).
In most all cases, you will receive a “hassle free”
immediate replacement.
PThe ECSC is not responsible for backing up
personal files stored on your campus-issued
notebook computer. To protect yourself
against loss of valuable data always back up
your personal files to your Microsoft cloud
storage, external hard drive or to USB drive.
PThe ECSC support staff will then assess the
damage and determine its severity. A fee
to repair or replace the notebook computer
will then be issued to your student account if
warranted.
All campus-issued notebook computer repairs
must be completed at the ECSC. Do not try to
repair the notebook computer yourself or take it
to a non-university repair provider.
PUpgrading your campus-issued notebook
computer hardware is not allowed.
14
Am I financially responsible for
repairs to my campus-issued
notebook computer?
What types of damage are there
beyond “every day wear and tear”?
Types of damage are: minor and major.
Minor damage to a campus-issued notebook
computer is harm that occurs unexpectedly,
unintentionally, or by chance and the notebook
computer continues to function. Accidental
damage could involve problems due to liquid
spills or dropping your notebook computer and
inadvertently breaking the screen.
Major damage to your campus-issued notebook
computer includes anything that is the result of
either a one-time or repetitive abusive behavior,
gross negligence and/or vandalism and the
computer does not function. Major damage could
involve having it fall out of a moving vehicle or
being destroyed in a household fire, etc.
PGross negligence is defined as a conscious and
voluntary disregard of the need to use
reasonable care, which is likely to cause
foreseeable severe damage.
Hardware and software repair as the result of a
virus, software malfunction or “every day wear
and tear” is available free-of-charge at the Jon T.
Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center (ECSC)
for all campus-issued notebook computers.
Examples of “every day wear and tear”:
A key on your keyboard comes off, dim monitor,
Microsoft Word won’t open, cosmetic scratches,
scuffs, worn finishes, etc.
PDo not glue keys back on if they pop off your
keyboard. Go to the ECSC for free repair.
If you damage your campus-issued notebook
computer beyond “every day wear and tear” you
may be subject to fines and disciplinary action
depending on the level of damage and/or abuse.
You are also responsible for the loss of your
campus-issued notebook computer.
15
What are the typical fees for
damage to a campus-issued notebook
computer?
What do I do if my campus-issued
notebook computer is lost or
stolen?
Fees charged for minor damage can range from
$45 for a lost AC Adapter to $50 for a cracked
LCD screen.
Examples of minor damage:
If your campus-issued notebook computer is lost
or stolen immediately file a police report with
University Police at 660-562-1254. If you are
off-campus and/or outside of Maryville, be sure
to also file a report with the area police as well as
with University Police. Also, report the theft or
loss to Information Technology at 660.562.1634.
A broken USB port, broken screen, broken
motherboard, etc.
While you are still responsible for the $1,500.00
replacement cost of the notebook computer,
filing a report may lessen fees or allow for a full
refund if the notebook computer is recovered.
Fees charged for major damage can range from
$750 to $1,500.00.
Examples of major damage:
Fire damage, theft or vandalism, etc.
PThe $1,500.00 charge is what it would cost to
replace the computer.
16
What can I do to protect myself
financially if my campus-issued
notebook computer is severely
damaged,lost or stolen?
Where can I purchase liability
insurance?
Purchasing liability insurance is your choice.
While Northwest does not endorse any vendor,
here are three vendors that have been used by
students before to not only insure their campusissued notebook computer, but other personal
items such as tablets (i.e. iPads, Microsoft
Surface,etc.) televisions and stereo equipment:
Northwest does not provide notebook computer
insurance (other than what the vendor provides
for factory defects). Therefore, you are
encouraged to purchase liability insurance from
an independent provider of your choice.
National Student Services Inc.
7: www.nssi.com
Such providers can insure not only your campusissued notebook computer, but your valuable
stereo equipment, television, smart phone,
personally-owned computer or tablet, etc.
CSI Insurance Agency Inc.
7: www.collegestudentinsurance.com
PTheft of a campus-issued notebook computer
College Plus (Worth Ave. Group, LLC)
7: www.worthavegroup.com/product/
college-student-insurance
is rare, but has occurred. The majority of these
thefts happened off-campus and outside of the
Maryville area. The thefts typically happened
when the notebook computer was left
unattended in a public setting or in a parked
vehicle where it was visible to passersby.
PBe sure to check for options with your home
insurance provider.
17
When, and where, do I return my
campus-issued notebook computer?
Do I need to back-up my personal
files before returning my campusissued notebook computer?
Campus-issued notebook computers are the sole
property of Northwest Missouri State University
and must be returned when:
• You leave the university without
pre-registering for classes.
• Your campus notebook computer contract
expires.
• You graduate from Northwest.
• You withdraw from Northwest or stop
attending Northwest for any reason.
Yes! You are responsible for backing up all
personal files.
To prevent loss of valuable data, copy all
important files to your Microsoft cloud file
storage, which is available through your
Northwest email account or other
alternate storage device like a USB drive.
PNorthwest and its Information Technology (IT)
department are not responsible for supporting
or backing up (copying) personal files. The Jon
T. Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center
(ECSC) staff also have the right to format
and reload the hard disk of all campus-issued
notebook computers without the user’s
permission when necessary
(i.e. return or repair).
PYou will return your campus-issued notebook
computer to the Jon T. Rickman Electronic
Campus Support Center (ECSC).
18
U
MS
NW
Can I use my own personallypurchased computer on the
Northwest campus?
Can I use my own personallypurchased tablet or ereader on
campus?
Yes! While Northwest provides you with a
notebook computer that includes valuable
software like Microsoft Office Professional, you
can certainly use your personally-owned and
purchased computer on campus.
Yes! You can use your personally-owned wireless
tablet/e-reader (i.e. iPad, Microsoft Surface, Nook
Tablet, Kindle Fire, etc.) on campus and connect it
to the Northwest WIFI network.
PTo access the Northwest WIFI network you
You can, in most all cases, also successfully
connect to both the campus wired and wireless
networks with your personally-owned computer.
will need to use your Northwest Network
Account username and password.
Can I use my own personally-owned
smart phone on campus?
PMicrosoft Windows, Macintosh or Linux are
the only operating systems allowed on the
Northwest network.
Yes! You can use your personally-owned smart
phone on campus and connect it to the Northwest
WIFI network.
All personally-owned computers connecting to
the Northwest wired or wireless network must be
properly updated and have working, up-to-date
anti-virus software.
PTo access the Northwest WIFI network you
will need to use your Northwest Network
Account username and password.
19
Can I connect my smart phone to my
Northwest Student Email?
Can I connect my Mac computer to
the Northwest network?
Yes! You can connect and receive your Northwest
Student Email on your mobile phone.
Yes! You can connect your Mac to Northwest’s
wired and wireless networks. See our MAC Center
how-to guides:
To set up your Student Email on your smart phone
you will need to select the Exchange or Windows Live
option. The server is: m.outlook.com. You will use
your full Northwest email address (username@mail.
nwmissouri.edu) and Northwest Network Account
password as the login information.
PIf you do not have the Exchange or Windows
Live option, please contact the Information
Technology Help Desk at 660.562.1634 for help.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/Online_Support/
maccenter.htm
Do I need to bring a printer to
campus?
No! Public access printers, that auto-bill your
student account and can be accessed via the
Northwest wired or wireless networks, are found
throughout campus, including computing labs
and the front desk of every residence hall.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/Online_Support/
printing.htm
20
If I decide I want to personally
purchase a printer for my residence
hall room, can it be wireless?
Can I use my gaming equipment on
the Northwest network?
Yes and No! You can certainly have network
game playing consoles like Xbox and Wii in your
Northwest residence hall room, but they are not
allowed to be connected to either the wired or
wireless Northwest network.
Yes and No! While you can certainly purchase
and put a printer in your Northwest residence
hall room for your own private use, you can not
have a wireless printer in your residence hall
room. Only wired printers are allowed in campus
housing.
You will be in violation of Northwest computing
policies if you connect such game consoles to the
campus network.
PIf you bring a personally-owned printer to
campus, you must disable wireless.
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/ComputingPolicies.htm
To connect to your personally-owned printer use
the instructions and/or software that came with
your printer.
PIf you want to regularly network game play,
you can purchase separate DSL service for
your residence hall room through the local
telephone company.
You may also need to download the appropriate
print driver from the printer manufacturer’s web
site.
PNorthwest does not support personally-owned
printers.
21
Can I use a webcam on the
Northwest network?
How can I get DSL for my
Northwest residence hall room?
Yes! You can use a web-cam on the Northwest
network.
You can purchase DSL service through the
local telephone company and use the un-used
telephone jack in your Northwest residence hall
room as the access port.
You may not use your Ethernet port or your cable
TV connection for DSL. Please do not connect
to the DSL service and the Northwest network
simultaneously.
PNorthwest will not maintain or repair DSL.
Contracts, repairs, billing and payments are
between the purchaser and the telephone
company. Northwest will repair the
telephone jack itself if it is not working.
Can I video instant message on the
Northwest network?
Yes! Video instant messaging (VIM) is allowed.
However, due to bandwidth issues, speed and
stability is not assured. Northwest may also limit/
restrict VIM if it adversely impacts the campus
wired and wireless networks.
PIf you regularly use VIM, you can purchase
separate DSL service for your residence hall
room through the local telephone company.
22
Can I use a router on the
Northwest network or in my
residence hall room?
What else should I know about
technology and my residence hall
room?
Yes and No! Students are not allowed to have
a wireless or wired router connected to the
Northwest network because routers can impact
the Northwest network negatively. Only wired
switches and hubs are allowed to connect to the
Northwest network via campus Ethernet ports.
Wireless and wired campus network service in
residence halls along with the access points that
allow connection to and use of those services
are the property of Northwest Missouri State
University and are maintained by Northwest’s
Information Technology (IT) department.
Students found using a wired or wireless router
on the Northwest network on campus or in their
residence hall room are in violation of Northwest
technology policies and can be subject to fines
and disciplinary action.
The IT department is not responsible for
maintaining or repairing non-Northwest-owned
computing equipment and software. The IT
department is responsible for providing residence
hall rooms with:
• Stable wireless connection
• Stable wired access through Ethernet port(s)
• Cable TV connection and service
• Telephone jack
PNorthwest does not provide telephone land
line or DSL service.
PIf purchasing DSL from the local telephone
company for network game playing purposes
or other personal reasons, you can have a
wired router. Be sure to inform the DSL
installation technician to use a wired router
not a wireless router!
23
Who do I call for repair service of
wireless or the access points in my
residence hall room?
Will I be charged for on-site repair
of the wireless or the access points
in my residence hall room?
If you are experiencing problems with wireless
connectivity, Ethernet (wired) ports, cable TV
connection or a non-functioning telephone jack,
please call the Information Technology (IT) Help
Desk at 660.562.1634 to report the problem.
No! Repair of university wireless and universityprovided access points for campus services are
free-of-charge. The only exceptions to this rule
are for cases of vandalism or theft.
PEmail is not recommended for emergency
Will Information Technology schedule
an on-site visit at my residence
hall room for repair of my campusissued notebook computer?
Once notified, IT will then schedule an on-site
visit so that the problem can be repaired.
No! You must bring your campus-issued
notebook computer into the Jon T. Rickman
Electronic Campus Support Center (ECSC) for all
repair service.
You can also email the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@
nwmissouri.edu.
situations or for problems where timeliness is
a factor.
24
What do I do if I need help with a
technology-related issue?
In-person support:
In-person technology support is provided in the
IT department’s Client Computing Office (CC) and
at the Technology Support Assistant (TSA) Desk
located on the first floor of B.D. Owens Library.
The TSA fall/spring assistance hours* are:
Northwest’s Information Technology (IT)
department is committed to the technology needs
of its Bearcat family and provide a variety of help
services:
Monday-Thursday
7:30 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.
The CC Office is typically open for the majority
of these hours with the exception of Saturday.
Saturday the CC Office is closed. Consequently,
password assistance is limited on Saturdays.
The IT department provides a variety of
technology resources in the library such as
wireless and wired connectivity, group work
stations with 52-inch monitors, desktop PCs and
Macs with Microsoft Office and the Adobe Master
Collection, as well as, printers and scanners.
Phone support:
Phone-in support is provided by the IT Help Desk
at 660.562.1634. IT Help Desk fall/spring hours*
of assistance are:
Monday-Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Online self-help guides:
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/Online_Support/
index.htm
*Phone and in-person hours may vary during intercessions,
summers, holidays and due to staff availability.
25
Are there any campus technology
policies I need to know about?
Are there technology security issues
I need to know about?
As a campus technology user you are responsible
for knowing and following all Northwest
technology policies. Anyone who violates
campus technology policies are subject to fines,
University disciplinary action, restriction of
services and potentially local, state and/or federal
legal charges.
Yes! Always protect your Northwest Network
Account username and password by:
• Never giving the information out to others.
• Limiting access by others to your campusissued notebook computer.
• Always logging off a campus computer when
you are not using the computer.
• Making back-ups of all your important files.
• Never reply to an email requesting sensitive
information such as your Social Security,
Bearcat ID or your Northwest Network Account
information. Such requests are scams!
Please see Northwest’s information technology
policies for further details:
7: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
ClientComputing/ComputingPolicies.htm
PInformation Technology (IT) will never ask you
to provide sensitive information in an email!
The IT Help Desk may ask for this kind of
information when you call 660.562.1634 for
help, but only give out the information if you
are the one who initiated the call to the IT
Help Desk.
26
Student Email
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
clientcomputing/email/livefaq.htm
How to Change Passwords
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
passwords/index.htm
Online Support
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
clientcomputing/online_support/
index.htm
Computing Policies
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
clientcomputing/computingpolicies.htm
myNorthwest
http://my.nwmissouri.edu
In-Person Support
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
clientcomputing/in_person_support.htm
Phone-In Support
www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/
clientcomputing/phone_support.htm
660.562.1634
For all campus
technology questions
and password changes
contact the Information
Technology Help Desk
660.562.1532/
877.740.2213
For help with your
Northwest Online site
and password call
Northwest’s CITE office
or the eCollege Help Desk
660.562.1131
New to campus and
need a Northwest
Network Account
username call
Information Technology
Information Technology is committed to your campus technology needs