Week of Welcome: Spring 2025
Week of Welcome (WoW) Challenge – Stump the IT ChatBot! (Jan. 22nd - Jan. 28th)
Think you can outsmart our IT ChatBot? During this semester's Week of Welcome, the SCSU IT Help Desk invites students to participate in a fun and interactive challenge to "Stump the IT ChatBot"! Our advanced AI ChatBot is designed to assist with IT-related questions specific to SCSU’s campus and community. Put its knowledge to the test by asking it challenging, well-thought-out IT questions. If your question stumps the bot, you could win a gift card! How to Participate: The Chatbot is located within the SCSU IT Help Desk Knowledge Base at https://helpdesk.southernct.edu , located at the bottom right of the webpage.
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Submit a logical, well-worded IT-related question.
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Ensure your question falls within the scope of SCSU’s IT Help Desk technology and policies (e.g., no questions about Admissions, Registrar, etc.).
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Capture proof of the ChatBot being stumped (a screenshot of its response).
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Email your screenshot and any questions to HelpDesk@southernct.edu for review.
Rules:
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Questions must be clear, complete, and grammatically correct.
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Topics must pertain to SCSU IT services, technology, and policies.
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Stumped responses must be submitted by the deadline for prize eligibility. Challenge the ChatBot, and if you succeed, you might just walk away a winner!
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Prizes include amazon gift cards for the first 10 winners. For any questions or further details, contact the SCSU IT Help Desk at HelpDesk@southernct.edu. Don't miss this opportunity to test your creativity and IT knowledge during the Week of Welcome!
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Prizes:
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5x 1st place winners: $10 Amazon Gift Card each
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5x 2nd place winners: $5 Amazon Gift Card each
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We are excited to have you join us this semester! Please take a moment to review the events being hosted by IT during the Week of Welcome this year and scroll to find a helpful list of some of our popular technology offerings, online services, and resources that will be helpful on your path to success!
To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, here is a numbered list of the topics that are covered on this page:
- IT Help Desk Support
- MySCSU (My Apps)
- Email on Your Phone
- Password Information
- Campus WiFi
- Printing on Campus
- Computer Labs & Laptop Docking Stations
- Microsoft Teams
- Blackboard Learn 9 and Class Collaborate
- SCSU Mobile App
- Free and Discounted Software
- Classrooms with Remote Learning Capabilities
- Apporto Virtual Applications - Remote Access to Software
- Phishing
- IT Help Desk Support
Check out our new Help Desk Knowledge Base and AI Chat Bot! The IT Help Desk is here to help if you need assistance with your SouthernCT.edu account, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft OneDrive, Blackboard Learn 9, and more!
Call: 203-392-5123 (Available 24/7)
Email: HelpDesk@SouthernCT.edu
Chat: https://HelpDesk.southernct.edu/
Walk-in Support: Buley Library 1st Floor
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am - 9:00pm
Friday: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Walk-in Support: Buley Library Rm 439
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Reference the Buley Library Hours/Calendar for updated hours of operation. Walk-In support hours are limited to the building hours of operation.
- Eduroam Wireless Network
Eduroam is Southern's official secure wireless network for faculty and staff to connect their personally owned laptops, phones, and tablets. As a global federation, the “eduroam” network will provide you wireless access at any participating institution.
Eduroam supports certificate-based authentication to enhance your wireless security, technology experience, and consistent connection. Once the certificate is installed, you’re all set. More info can be found on our help desk site.
- MySCSU (My Apps)
MySCSU is where you can access Banner Web, Email, Blackboard Learn 9, Microsoft Teams, Word Online, and much more! Use any web browser to visit http://login.southernct.edu/, then use your full SouthernCT.edu email address and password to login.
These video tutorials will show you how to access some of the commonly used services, as well as the main portal itself:
- Email on Your Phone
To add your SouthernCT.edu email account to your smartphone or tablet, see our tutorials below:
For detailed information and resources on SCSU email, visit our IT Help Desk article.
- Password Information
All Southern Connecticut State University students, faculty, and staff are issued University accounts, which can be used to access most technology resources by logging into the MySCSU web portal, hosted by Microsoft’s MyApps service.
After logging in, you will be prompted to set up Multifactor Authentication (MFA), which is a security feature used to protect your account.
We advise that after logging in, you reset your default password to one of your choosing.
For more information and instructional guides on these processes, click here.
- Printing on Campus
Southern CT State University provides high speed, high volume, multifunction print services at a cost per page. Printing devices are available in open access areas and provide print, copy, and scan features at every location. The cost per page will be charged against your Hoot Loot balance.
To view current locations, features, and instructional guides, click here.
- Computer Labs & Laptop Docking Stations
The IT department manages several public and departmental computer labs, containing both Windows and Mac computers. The main public labs are located on the first floor of the Buley Library. To view current locations, click here.
Buley Library computer labs are now equipped with workstations to connect your laptop to a separate monitor in order to provide a larger screen to work on, while staying connected to your own device!
Simply plug in, adjust your screen settings if needed, and begin to work.
Click here to view current locations and specifications for what connection cables are available.
- Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams provides students with a variety of tools for collaborating, communicating, and learning. Your customizable space includes features such as individual instant-messaging, group chat, video or audio calls, screen sharing, file sharing, scheduling voice/video meetings, and more! Access it through MySCSU or install it as a desktop application or smartphone app.
If your professor sends you a link to join a Teams Meeting, click on “Join Microsoft Teams Meeting” in your meeting invite to be taken to a page where you can choose to either join on the web or download the desktop app. If you already have the Teams app, the meeting will open there automatically.
Check out our Help Desk article for more information.
- Blackboard Learn 9 and Collaborate Ultra
Blackboard Learn 9 is SCSU’s Learning Management System (LMS). You will use Blackboard Learn 9 to access and participate in certain courses, complete assessments, engage in discussions, join Collaborate sessions, view your assignment grades, and more. To check out some helpful walkthroughs, please log into Blackboard Learn 9 (through MySCSU) and click on "Institution Page" in the left navigation bar.
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a synchronous communication and video conferencing solution that is integrated with Blackboard Learn 9 without the needing to install any additional software. Browse through Blackboard’s “Get Started” article for more information on Collaborate Ultra and how to use it.
- SCSU Mobile App
The official mobile app for Southern Connecticut State University puts many popular services at your fingertips. Learn more here.
- Free and Discounted Software
The Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) can be downloaded on up to 5 computers for free by logging into Office.com with your SouthernCT.edu email and password and then clicking on “Install Office”. Software packages are available at a reduced price by creating an account with OnTheHub.
Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching is another no cost option that allows students, faculty, and staff to install Microsoft software on personal devices for instructional purposes.
- Classrooms with Remote Learning Capabilities
Many classrooms at SCSU are outfitted with our Classroom Plus standard, allowing the instructor to teach from the classroom with the option for Video Teleconferencing (VTC). This enables students to interact remotely with the instructor and course materials. For more details regarding these classrooms, please visit: https://inside.southernct.edu/online-learning/hyflex
- Apporto Virtual Applications - Remote Access to Software
Apporto allows students, faculty and staff to remotely access select applications, using a web browser, that are normally only available on campus lab and classroom computers. This software includes, but is not limited to:
IBM SPSS
ArcGIS
MS Office
Studio One 5
Octave
For further information and tutorials, see Apporto Virtual Applications.
- Phishing Alert
Scammers are constantly creating new types of fraudulent messages to trick users. As a member of the Southern community, we ask for you to be a responsible steward of your account. Our best defense against these kinds of attacks is you! If you have difficulties identifying if a message is a phishing attempt, please reach out to the Help Desk.
Please note: The IT department will never ask you to relay your personal information in text or ask for access to your account.
For more information on Spam, Phishing, and Junk click here.