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OIT: Providing All of Your Back-to-School Technology Needs

by Ellen Puffe


The University of Minnesota's Office of Information Technology (OIT) welcomes returning students, faculty, and staff—and the incoming class of 2013!

OIT manages the centrally provided computer, network, phone, and other information technology systems of the University of Minnesota. We also provide a comprehensive range of services to students, faculty, staff, and departments through our service units. Throughout spring and summer, OIT staff has continued to add, enhance, update, and improve University technology tools. This insert will explain just a few of our services and help you get in step and connected with the technology available to you on the Twin Cities campus.

You might ask, "Why do I need all of this technology?" Technology allows the University to do what it does in many ways. From making courses and class schedules available online; to facilitating departmental collaboration; to helping with computer hardware and software purchases; to managing records, to providing online file storage and personal Web space, to staying connected via telephone; wired, and wireless networks—technology has become part of the University's landscape, and OIT is committed to bringing cutting-edge technology services to the campus community.

Some of the Many OIT Features and Services

  • Technology Help—your first point of contact for computer, Internet, and campus telephone support. Check here for help with e-mail, passwords, hardware, software, ResNet, campus telephones, and Web-based learning course site issues. Walk-in help is available at Tech Stop in 101 Coffman Union. Find out more at OIT's Technology Help Web site or visit Tech Stop. Contact technology help at (612) 301-4357 (1-HELP on campus) or help@umn.edu.

  • UMart, a University e-commerce site, offers new computers, accessories, cell phones and service, and high-speed Internet access at educational discounts to members of the University community. In addition, registered students are eligible to purchase network- and wireless-ready certified laptop computer bundles complete with the latest operating system, updates and patches, as well as pre-installed software, such as Microsoft Office. For more information, visit the UMart Web site.

  • Carry-in computer consultation and support services are available through OIT's U-Rent-A-Guru to help you quickly solve short-term computer service and repair issues.

  • Online file storage is available through NetFiles, a secure online file storage application with collaboration and sharing features. NetFiles provides up to 5 gigabytes of storage space for each user. Visit the NetFiles Web site to learn more. Information about personal Web space also is available at the Personal Web Site Guide. Your basic account includes a 50MB home directory for mail folders, school files, and other general file storage, and 20MB of Web space that can house your personal Web page.

  • UMCal is a University-wide electronic calendar management and scheduling application. Use it to manage and share calendars for individuals and resources. Calendar accounts are available to students, staff, and faculty. Activate your account using Internet Account Options Web site. Visit the UMCal Web site to learn more.

  • Keep your computer safe and free of viruses, worms, and spyware. Antivirus software is required on all computers connected to the University network. One copy of Symantec AntiVirus is provided at no charge to University students, staff, and faculty. Get more information at the Safe Computing Web site.

  • Members of the University community may purchase some software at a discounted price. Eligibility is based on University affiliation. Find out more at the UTools Web site.

  • OIT provides centrally-funded telephone services to all campus departments. Move/add and change charges are managed and paid for by the unit or department. Single- and multi-line digital telephones are available, as well as Centrex telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD), and campus and outdoor phones. Information about department telephone service can be found on the Telephone Web site.
    • Students—one telephone line is included in residence hall rooms, and students are responsible for providing their own telephones. Get started at the ResNet Web site.

  • The University's wireless network provides campus affiliates and guests with wireless Internet access as they roam the Twin Cities campus. There are more than 1,700 wireless access points on the Twin Cities campus. Get started by visiting the U of M Wireless Web site.

  • Technology training in the form of free orientations, short courses, and online self-paced learning on various topics are available from the University Technology Training Center (UTTC). A complete list of available courses is available on the UTTC Web site.

  • UMChat is a University-wide instant messenger service. Use your Internet ID to log in and chat from the UMChat Web site.

  • And coming this fall, Google Apps for the University of Minnesota. The optional service, which will be available to registered students, faculty, and staff, is slated to launch in October.

Partnership with Google means access to a suite of state-of-the art communication and collaboration tools, including U of M Gmail, Google Docs (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations), Google Calendar, Google Talk (instant messaging), and Google Sites that will enhance the ability to work together.

For more information on Google Apps for the University of Minnesota, visit the Google Initiative Web site.

Discover more technology services on the OIT Web site, containing up-to-date information about all of the technology tools and resources available to you as a member of the University community.