NSIT Welcome
Information for New Faculty
Welcome to the University of Chicago. Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT) is in charge of the computer and telephone networks on campus, as well as numerous services such as email and file sharing.
NSIT provides support and services to the campus as a whole, while local support personnel work with individual units. For help getting started with technology, read this short introduction. If you need assistance at any time, you are welcome to contact us directly by calling the NSIT Support Line at 834-TECH (834-8324). You can also visit our service catalog, Find IT, to learn about the services we offer.
The Essentials
Your CNetID
Your CNetID identifies you on the University of Chicago computer network, and is required for a multitude of network services. It also functions as your email address for University email. For instance, a person with the CNetID jdoe has the email address jdoe@uchicago.edu. Remember that you'll need a CNetID even if you use a departmental email account. If you have not already claimed your CNetID, please visit nsit.uchicago.edu/cnetid.
Your Chicago ID card
The University of Chicago Card is the official University identification card. Chicago Cards are issued to all students enrolled in credit programs, faculty, staff and academic employees. You may use this multi-function picture ID card to obtain a number of services on campus, including access to the libraries and athletic facilities, riding campus CTA buses for free, and many more. You can get your Chicago Card at the Identity & Privileges Office, located in room 100F in the lobby of Joseph Regenstein Library, once you are in the payroll system. For more information, visit ipo.uchicago.edu.
Your Computer
Please contact your local IT support office regarding computer purchasing policies. NSIT offers a selection of computers and accessories at special academic prices designed to meet your needs. We also distribute important software packages, including Microsoft Office and Connectivity software, which contains software for email, web browsing, and remote logins. You can view our recommended computer bundles on our pricelist. View our Software Tip Sheet for more information. The Solution Center, located in the University bookstore building, can assist you with making a computer hardware or software purchase.
Your Network Connection
Your local support office will probably activate your network connection on your behalf. However, to do this yourself, or if you have any questions, please contact NSIT at 29100@uchicago.edu or 773-702-9100, option 4.
Wireless Internet is available throughout campus. When you connect to the Internet you will see a page which requires your CNetID and CNet password. Once supplied, you will have wireless network access; however, you may need to log in again with your CNetID if your computer sleeps or if you close your browser.
The Virtual Private Network (VPN) lets you, as a University community member, access University network resources as if you were on campus, no matter where you are in the world. However, you do not need the VPN to access library resources and most other campus resources. It is only necessary to access certain restricted resources, such as network-based file shares.
For more information about connecting to the University network, view our Getting Connected tip sheet.
Protect Your Computer
As technology becomes central to our everyday lives, keeping that technology safe becomes all that much more important. NSIT offers tips and solutions for protecting your computer and practicing safe computing. For more information, visit our Safe Computing website.
While you're thinking about safety, don't forget to protect yourself too. cAlert is the University's electronic emergency-notification system. Now is a good time to sign up for notifications in case of an emergency on campus.
Policies
Computers at the University are subject to University information technology policies, including the Eligibility and Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology (EAUP) and the File Sharing policy. For information on these and other policies, visit our Policies website.
Your Email
NSIT provides two options for electronic mail, cMail and xMail, plus full-featured options for calendaring, and integration with small devices such as Blackberries, Treos, and Windows Mobile devices. In addition to these services, some departments run their own email services, so please check with your local technical support office before setting up your email software. For more information about NSIT's central email services, visit our Email website.
One special feature of our email services is that you may create up to five personal email aliases. For example, you could receive email as jdoe@uchicago.edu as well as jane@uchicago.edu.
You have 1 GB of space for storing your email. If you ever find yourself needing more space, you can use WebShare. WebShare is the University's web-based file storage and file sharing tool.
Your Portable Device
Though not absolutely essential, Smartphones, iPhones, Blackberrys, and Treos are widely used on campus. NSIT can assist you with obtaining a device and configuring it to work with University email and calendaring systems; please contact us at 29100@uchicago.edu or 773-702-9100. Be sure to check with your department first regarding local purchasing policies.
To learn more about selecting a mobile device for email communications, view our Mobile Device Tip Sheet.
Your Telephone
Please consult your departmental administrator for phone purchasing policies. If you haven't already received phone services through your departmental coordinator, NSIT can also assist you. Please visit our Telephone website, contact us at 773-702-9100, option 4 or email 29100@uchicago.edu. We also provide a variety of related telephone services; see our list of related services.
Cellular phones and cellular services are available to departments for business purposes and individually to faculty, staff, and students under an agreement between NSIT and Wireless from AT&T. Departmental cell phones are billed to the department's FAS account; get started on our Cellular website. Faculty and staff receive a 15% plan discount on personal cell phones; get started at http://www.att.com/wireless/ucemployees. The personal discount continues as long as you hold a valid University of Chicago email address.
Academic Services
NSIT offers many technologies to enhance teaching and research, such as audio-visual services, media classrooms, and Chalk, the learning management system. Find out more about Academic Technologies at nsit.uchicago.edu/academic and via the Umbrella program.
Faculty Welcome Receptions
The Umbrella Initiative hosts wine and cheese receptions where new faculty can mingle with their academic and IT colleagues while they get information about the services most likely to be of use to them in the classroom. For more information, visit umbrella.uchicago.edu.
Technical Support
Computer support is available by calling 773-834-8324 (4-TECH on any campus phone) Monday through Friday. You may also send email to support@uchicago.edu. Additional information is available on our Documentation website. Or visit our list of local IT support groups for additional contact information.
Stay Informed
Stay informed with technology news on campus by subscribing to NSIT's announcement mailing list.
Last updated: 9/4/09