Welcome back to UWE

Guide to returning year students

1. Useful links for students
2. Re-starting at UWE
3. Recent features
4. the myUWE portal
5. Printing
6. Minimum computer specification
7. Technical Support

1. Useful Links for Students:

2. Getting Started:

Before using the computing facilities at UWE, you must ensure that you have:-

• Read and abided to the IT policies and regulations which you can find on the ITS web pages.

• The email or letter stating your Username and directing you to your initial password for all UWE systems. The email will be sent to your personal email account prior to your arrival at UWE. The letter may be found in your room pack if you are in a student accommodation where ResNet is available.

• Your Username in order to log onto the UWE computers and systems. It allows you to register your computer to connect to the UWE network

• Your Password in order to log onto the UWE computers and systems. In addition to this system password, you may be provided with passwords by your faculty to access faculty developed resources. These passwords will be managed by the faculty and you will need to contact your faculty for support in these cases. Remember to always keep your password secret - you are responsible for your account. If you share your password with anyone, your account may be suspended.

In order to change you password, you will need

• The first time you log in to the UWE network, it is recommended that you set up your Password Manager Q&A profile and then change your password. This is to allow you to reset your password, should you forget it. Please visit the UWE Password Manager page to obtain information on setting up your Password Manager Q&A, forgetting, resetting and changing your password.

• If you forgot your password, please do not keep trying randomly as your account will become locked after 4 attempts. Please note that student accounts unlock automatically after 40 minutes).

3. Recent features

• Windows 7 operating system and Microsoft Office 2007 are available in PC Labs.

• Blackboard Content System

Blackboard provides a personal storage area accessible from the Blackboard Content Collection tab. For futher details, please visit the Backboard Content System page.

Blackboard is accessible through the myUWE portal.

• UWE Live Mail

UWE and Microsoft have worked collaboratively to provide an email system with additional features such as spaces, messenger, online file storage, photo gallery and more. UWE Live Mail is the sole email system. UWE Webmail no longer exist.

For further information about email at UWE, please visit UWE Live Mail

• The Password Manager Q&A mentioned above

Please visit the UWE Password Manager page.

• Choose Complex passwords:

you need to meet the following requirements when creating a new password: Please visit the Password for students information.

• SMS texting at UWE

The University reserves the right to text you about specific administrative matters relating to your studies. For example, you may be texted about lecture cancellations, room changes, module choice deadlines and emergency announcements. If you want to obtain further information about texting, please visit SMS texting at UWE. It will tell you what SMS texting at UWE can do and how you can opt out of the service.

• Online Pharos crediting. Please refer to the section below on "How can you print on campuses? or visit the Pharos web pages.

• The IT Support Centre is located in the Bolland Library on the Frenchay Campus. It is on the 3rd Level in room 3D028a.

4. the myUWE portal

myUWE is the University's web portal, and is a good place to start if you want to use the University's web services. You only need to log in once to access:

• Blackboard
• UWE Live Mail (UWE Webmail is no longer available)
• Aspects of your academic record
• Provisional coursework marks
• Maintenance pages for your contact information

You may also find announcements posted for you in the myUWE portal, perhaps advising of important faculty or course information. Some students can also access their timetable via myUWE, and other services are being added.

5. Printing

How can you print on campuses?

We offer a student printing system called Pharos. The main advantages of the Pharos system is that it gives students full flexibility for printing.

A Pharos account will already have been created for you. It will have a zero balance. Before you start printing, you must credit your account either via the Pharos Pay Kiosk, at the Library Issue Desk or via the Online Pharos Crediting facility.

6. Minimum computer specification

If I buy a computer to study at UWE, what is the minimum specification I can go for?

Please see this minimum computer specification.

7. Technical Support:

Initial technical support is provided via the IT Services web site. If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, we recommend that you get in touch with the IT Support Centre.

IT Support Centre opening hours:

You can call in person at the IT Support Centre in the Bolland Library Frenchay Campus. The room number is 3D028a on Level 3.

IT Support Centre opening hours by telephone only:

The IT Support Centre can be contacted 24/7 (all day and night) including all bank holidays and any University closure days with the exception of a short 30 minute shutdown period each weekday from 08:00 to 08:30.

Times may change, please see http://www.uwe.ac.uk/its/contact.shtml for up to date days and times.

System wide issues such as network outages are published on the ITS web site under System status or Interruptions.