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COVID-19 Student Support

We have a number of resources for you. This page will be updated frequently with helpful information.

Updated: April 21, 2022

 

IT Help Desk

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: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • By Appointment: Buley Library 4th Floor

 

Reference the Buley Library Hours/Calendar for updated hours of operation. Walk-In support hours are limited to the building hours of operation. 

Please check out the Help Desk website for even more tutorials and resources!

MySCSU (My Apps)

MySCSU is where you can access Banner, Email, Blackboard Learn 9, Microsoft Teams, Word Online, and much more! Use any web browser to visit login.southernct.edu and then use your full SouthernCT.edu email address and password to login. Learn more here. 

These video tutorials will show you exactly how to access the 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, follow our Apple iOS and Android tutorials. If you need assistance, please reach out to the IT Help Desk and we’ll help get you connected!

Campus Wifi

Eduroam is the official wireless network for your personal devices (cell phone, laptop, etc.). As a global federation, the “eduroam” network will provide you wireless access at any participating institution. There are over 50 different participating locations in the New England area and almost 1,000 participating locations in the United States.

To get connected, simply join the eduroam wireless network with your full SouthernCT.edu email address and password. More info can be found on our Help Desk site.

In addition to having wireless within our buildings, we are expanding our range outdoors! Here is list of some outdoor wireless locations: 

  • Academic Quad (Engleman, Buley, Earl, & Adanti Student Center)  
  • Jess Dow Football Field (including the concession stand area) 
  • The softball and baseball fields behind Engleman & Pelz   
  • Lyman Center (front of building)  
  • Residence Life Quad (Farnham, Wilkinson, & Chase)
  • West Campus Quad (Hickerson, Neff, & West Campus)

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.

You can also practice using Teams with this interactive demo!

Cisco WebEx

Cisco Webex is a video and voice meeting platform that includes text chat, screen sharing, annotations, and more. If your professor sends you a Cisco Webex Meeting invitation, click on the “Join” link and choose to either join on the web or download the desktop app. You do not need to have a Webex account to join a Webex meeting.

Step by step instructions on how to join from different devices can be found on the Webex website.

 

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. You can log into Blackboard Learn 9 through MySCSU. To check out some helpful walkthroughs, click the "Tutorials" tab while logged in. 

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.

If additional assistance is needed, please contact the Help Desk (203) 392-5123 or Online Help Desk website.

Live Trainings and Q&A

We understand that some learners prefer to attend live training sessions instead of reading articles or watching recordings. We will continue to have scheduled training sessions throughout the semester. Keep an eye on your email for more options as they become available!

The trainings will closely follow the information already provided in the recorded tutorials on this site, so we encourage students to go through the tutorials at your leisure and reach out to the Help Desk if you have any additional questions.

SCSU Mobile App

The official mobile app for Southern Connecticut State University puts many popular services at your fingertips. Learn more here. 

Internet

Information on internet options is available from the COVID-19 Technology FAQ webpage.

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”. Other software packages like Windows 10 for Education and Sticky Password (password manager tool) are available at a reduced price by creating an account with OnTheHub.

Computer Loans

If you are in need of a computer to complete your studies at SCSU, please review the following information. These offices are providing computer loans to those who meet the requirements for each program. 

University Access Program (UAP) + PASS

  • Laptop computers are available to students who are enrolled in the UAP or PASS program. 
  • Contact the UAP office at: (203) 392-6814 or UAP@SouthernCT.edu  
  • Learn more

Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services (CASAS)

  • Laptop computers are available to students who are enrolled in the CASAS program. 
  • Contact the office at: (203) 392-6828 or casas@southernct.edu
  • Learn more

Buley Library

  • Laptop computers are available for a 3 week loan period (21 days).
  • The loan request can be renewed after the initial 3 weeks. 
  • Contact the Library at (203) 392-5756 or visit the Circulation Desk in the Buley Library. 

HyFlex Classrooms

We are happy to announce that starting with the Fall 2020 semester, SCSU will have 20 HyFlex classrooms. These spaces allow the instructor to teach from the classroom with the option for Video Teleconferencing (VTC) that allows students to interact remotely with the instructor and course materials. Each HyFlex classroom will have a lecture capture system with a camera and multiple presets.

To see if you're enrolled in a HyFlex class, please check your course schedule details in Banner Student. For more details regarding HyFlex classrooms, please visit: https://inside.southernct.edu/online-learning/hyflex   

Sanitizing Workstations

The IT Help Desk and the HighTech Team are equipped with adequate supplies to clean the computer labs and classroom technology regularly. To ensure that each computer is sanitized in between multiple uses during the day, please grab a cleaning wipe and:  

  • Wipe down the keyboard, mouse, and tabletop.   
  • Do not use wipes on computer screens.  
  • Do not allow excess liquid to drip into open connection areas such as USB ports.   
  • Allow the surface to dry before using. 

Apporto - Remote Access to Software

Can’t make it to campus to use specific software that you need for class? Then Apporto might be for you! Apporto provides easy access to a virtual computer desktop that will allow you to use many popular software titles remotely. Students can access Apporto through MySCSU using any current web browser on Windows 10, MacOS, iPad, or Chromebook.

Software currently available within Apporto:   

  • IBM SPSS   
  • ArcGIS 
  • Octave  

Check out our help desk article for more information.