Alabama's Public Liberal Arts University

Computer Services

Guide to Faculty and Staff Computing

 

Welcome to faculty and staff computing at the University of Montevallo! This guide provides information to assist you in accessing computer services. Your access to the computer network requires a network login ID and password. Your access to the Administrative (Admin) or Banner systems also require a login ID and password. An ID allows you to have appropriate access to institutionally-owned software applications. This includes networked applications and databases on the file servers, electronic mail and the Internet, as well as academic and administrative software.

Computer access at the University of Montevallo is a privilege. Please take time to read and understand the policies governing its use: Code for Computer Resource Use.

Access to Faculty and Employee Resources is readily available via links on the University's home page (Faculty Resources, Employee Resources).  Both of these pages also offer an additional means of accessing the Outlook faculty/staff email system by clicking the "Outlook Web Access" link.  Contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520 or, via email, helpdesk@montevallo.edu if you need assistance.

Supported Software Applications

  • Microsoft Office Suite:
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft FrontPage
    • Microsoft Outlook
    • Microsoft Access
  • Netscape, Safari and Internet Explorer
  • Sophos antivirus software
  • Reflection and HyperTerm terminal emulation software

Other software may be available for use but currently may not be supported by Computer Services.  Feel free to contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520 or via email, helpdesk@montevallo.edu, with any questions.

Personal Data Storage

Faculty and staff members should save (backup) all personal information to their own diskettes.  It is recommended that you save all information to the local hard disk of your computer and make frequent backups of all your data files on your computer.  Use of CD's or DVD's are the preferred method of storing backups.

Network Login ID, Password, and E-mail Addresses

Full time faculty and staff are assigned network login IDs and Outlook e-mail accounts by Computer Services as soon as the authorizing documentation is received from the Office of Human Resources. Information on accessing these accounts is sent to the new employee either through an e-mail to their departmental secretary or supervisor, or directly via phone.  Adjunct faculty should contact their department chairs to request network access and e-mail.  These accounts remain active until employment with the University is terminated.

How to Login to the Computer Network

PC Users
Power on the computer.  How you log in depends on the operating system installed on your PC.   Typically, you will either be presented with a network login menu or you will need to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to make the log on menu appear.  Type your login ID and password in the appropriate spaces, then press “Enter” or click “OK” to log in.  Contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520 if you experience any difficulties.

Macintosh users
Macintosh computers connected to the University's network will not prompt you to login until you attempt to use a network resource such as email or shared folders.  Type your login ID and password in the appropriate spaces, then click “Connect” to log in.  Contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520 if you experience any difficulties.

Login Password and Usage

Passwords protect your files and identify you to the network. Passwords should NEVER be given out for others to use. Avoid using phrases, names or numbers that can be associated with you. Never write your password where others might find it. It is your responsibility to remember your password and keep it confidential.

The first time you Login you may be required to change your assigned password. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.  It is also a good policy to change your password on a regular basis.  Contact the Computer Services Help Desk for information on changing your password.

Passwords must be a least 6 characters long and may contain upper and lowercase characters, as well as numbers. They are CASE SENSITIVE and must be typed exactly the same each time they are entered. 

Administrative System Login ID and Password

Although the login ID's for the Administrative (Admin) system and the network may be the same, they should not be confused with each other.  The University's Administrative (Admin) System accesses the student information system while Banner is used to access the financial resources system and the human resources system.  In contrast, the network login is used to access campus network services such as email and the Internet.

An Admin login ID consists of the first seven characters of the last name followed by a first initial or more if there is a duplication.  To access the Admin system, new users’ supervisors must request an Admin login ID and password by notifying the Computer Services Help Desk.  Department heads in one of the administrative offices will authorize access to the SCT PLUS Online systems for new employees in their areas. Faculty or staff members in an academic department must attend training on the student information system before being assigned a password.  The Registrar’s office offers this training regularly each semester.

The Banner ID consists of an alpha character followed by eight digits and is assigned by the Office of Human Resources at time of employment.

How to Login to the Admin System

The Admin is accessed through a desktop computer using terminal emulation software (either Reflection or HyperTerm).  To log in to Admin, the username and password must be entered.  If the username and password entry is correct, the login is complete.  To log in to Banner Self Service, access the Banner Self Services link at http://www.montevallo.edu/facstaff/ and enter the appropriate Banner ID and password.

What To Do If There Are Problems

Desktop hardware and software
Desktop hardware and software problems should be reported by calling the Computer Services Help Desk at (205) 665-6520. The Help Desk hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You may also email the Help Desk at helpdesk@montevallo.edu.

Computer Services provides support for institutionally-owned hardware and software. Computer Services does not support personally owned computers and software. Questions concerning these items should be addressed to the manufacturer or place of purchase.

All hardware problems reported to the Help Desk will be addressed uniformly. A ticket will be assigned to each call and a Computer Services technician will be assigned to examine the system and determine if local resources can fix the problem or if a third party will be needed to repair or replace it. Computer systems under warranty will be referred to the appropriate vendor for service.

Examples of hardware problems that Computer Services can service include replacing faulty disk drives, CD drives, DVD drives, memory, sound cards, network cards, and modems. Computer Services may also make minor repairs on monitors, scanners, and printers. For items that need additional diagnostics, a third party repair service may be called to perform the service. Authorization for chargeable repairs/parts will be obtained prior to any service actions. The department that owns the computer equipment will be responsible for all agreed upon charges to fix or replace the system.

Admin or Banner software
All Admin or Banner software problems should be reported to the Applications Manager at Computer Services.  Critical problems should be reported by telephone to the Applications Manager or the programmer assigned to the area.  Urgent problems that need same-day attention should be communicated via e-mail to the Applications Manager or the appropriate programmer.  Service requests or changes to the software must be requested on the online form, Application Service/Change Request.

Standards and Procedures

Hardware and software standards, as well as major infrastructure changes and procedures, will be developed jointly by Computer Services and the Information and Instructional Technology Committee (IITC).  These standards and procedures are designed to provide a positive experience to the user community at the University and will guide future hardware and software purchase choices.

To maintain compatibility and provide proper support, Computer Services should be consulted by departments when new computer systems are needed. This includes all types of personal computers, display monitors, printers, disk drives, memory, CD's, DVD's and sound cards. If a department orders products directly through purchasing, they should be delivered to Computer Services for set up, testing and inventory.  Contact the Computer Services office at (205) 665-6512 for assistance.

Computer software for general use can be obtained through Computer Services. Computer Services provides consulting services for departments wishing to purchase software for specialized use. It cannot be assumed that all software will work on the network or on every computer on campus. A Computer Services technician will install campus standard software on each computer.  Upon departmental request, Computer Services will also assist with the installation of non-standard software.  Departments are responsible for purchasing licenses for the software installed on their machines.  No software can be put into use on campus without proof of a written license for that installation.  Contact the Computer Services office at (205) 665-6512 for assistance with software licensing issues.

 

Last Updated February 2008