How Do I...

... Contact the Help Desk?

Computing and Information Services has two conveniently located Help Desks.

The Help Desk, located in the Computer Center has regular operating hours of Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 5 PM.

The CIS Library Help Desk is located in the Main Library and keeps longer hours to accomodate student class and study schedule.  

Typical hours are:
Monday - Thursday from 9 AM - 11 PM
Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday from 12 PM - 6 PM
Sunday from 12 PM - 11 PM

but may vary during breaks, finals and study week.

If you need help, you can send an email to helpdesk@vassar.edu or call x7224 and we will make sure that the appropriate person on our staff comes to your aid.

Click here for more information.

... Get One-on-One Training?

Our technology trainer, Chad Fust, is here to help! Need training with any of the software and hardware that's commonly available on campus? Contact Chad to set up an appointment at training@vassar.edu or x7545.

Chad will also be seated at our Resident Expert table outside the Computer Store in College Center on Wednesday afternoons when school is in session. Stop by for some tech talk and free popcorn. 

Click here for more information.

... Get a New ID Card?

To obtain or replace your Vassar ID card, visit the Card Office, located next to the CIS Help Desk in the Computing Center.  You may also contact the Card Office at #CARD (extension 2273) or 845-451-2273, via email at card@vassar.edu, or visit their site at http://card.vassar.edu/.

Click here for more information.

... Add Funds to My VCash?

You can add funds at either of the two value transfer stations on campus (AC/DC and Main Building), online with a credit or debit card, or in person at the card office, located in the Computer Center.  At the card office, the only method for adding funds is via "Charge Home".

Click here for more information.

... Print to the VPrint Printers?

For printing within your department, simply utilize your department's printers.  If for some reason you need to print elsewhere on campus, simply print to the Vassar print queue and swipe your ID card at any VPrint printer.

Click here for more information.

... Share Large Files?

Instead of emailing large attachments, members of the Vassar community can upload files and share them using our VSpace system.  You can access VSpace at http://vspace.vassar.edu/ and log in with your webmail username and password.  Once you've uploaded files, you can share the links to them in email messages and web pages, allowing others to access them.

Click here for more information.

... Post a Website?

Computing and Information Services provides a personal web space for every Vassar faculty member, administrator, and staff member. Visit the GetWeb page to get started.

If you do not yet have a web account, GetWeb will create an account for you. If you already have an account, you can use GetWeb to change your web password.

Click here for more information.

... Get My Email?

You can access your Vassar email account via your favorite email client, or through VMail, our webmail system, at http://webmail.vassar.edu/.

Click here for more information.

... Connect to the Wireless Network?

Vassar offers wireless connectivity for all WiFi-enabled devices across the campus.  For access, connect to the appropriate wireless network, as outlined below:

Wireless Network Name (SSID)
For Use By
FacStaff Faculty and Staff
Guest Guests
Handhelds Mobile Devices
Student Students

Once you've connected to the wireless network, open a web browser and navigate to any page.  You will be asked to enter your NetID (webmail username and password) before you can access the internet and other network resources.  Mobile device users will only need to authenticate one time, but their access to on-campus resources is limited.

Click here for more information.

... Buy Hardware or Software on Campus?

Vassar's Computer Store carries an array of software, peripherals, electronics, and accessories.  The Store is located in College Center, opposite the Kiosk.

Phone:
845-437-7252
Fax: 845-437-7251
Email: computerstore@vassar.edu

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Click here for more information.

... Get My Computer Repaired?

Vassar's Computer Store employs a computer technician who can repair your Mac*, including service covered by AppleCare plans. 

Please visit the Computer Store, located across from the Kiosk in College Center.

Phone:
845-437-7252
Fax: 845-437-7251
Email: computerstore@vassar.edu

Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Click here for more information.

* If you are having a hardware issue and you have a PC, please contact your vendor or another authorized computer repair shop.

... Change My Password?

You may reset your password yourself by visiting Control Panel and filling in the appropriate information.  This service will reset passwords for the following accounts:

  • Email
  • Blackboard
  • Domain
  • Citrix
  • VSpace

If you do not know your previous login name or password, or you require a password reset for a service not mentioned here, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@vassar.edu or extension 7224.

Click here to go to Control Panel.

... Get the Latest Anti-Virus Software?

Visit the Help Desk or download the latest anti-virus software here:

Click here for more information.

... Use Blackboard?

You may access Blackboard at http://blackboard.vassar.edu/.  To set up a Blackboard course, fill out a Course Request Form.

Click here for more information.

... Participate in Faculty Focus?

The Academic Computing Services division of CIS spotlights faculty who utilize information technology in their research, courses, and other projects.  Contact your ACS consultant to participate in the Faculty Focus program, and share your innovation with your peers.

Click here for more information.

... Get an Email Account for Myself or a Family Member?

To have a new email account created for yourself or a family member, please contact the Help Desk at extension 7224 or via email at helpdesk@vassar.edu.

Click here for more information.

... See a Calendar of Technology-Related Events?

Computing and Information Services offers special events such as training, contests, sales, seminar and much more.  Most of our events are open to the entire Vassar community.

Click here to view the calendar.

... Get Service for My Department Printer?

If you're not certain what's causing your printing issue, please contact the Help Desk at extension 7224 or helpdesk@vassar.edu.  If you're certain that your printing issue is hardware-related (for example, printouts are smeared, a paper tray is broken, or paper is jammed in the device), contact our printer service technicians directly.  For Canon imageRunner service, contact AVP at (845) 878-4240.   For all other printers, contact netEffx at (845) 454-2027.

Click here for more information.

... Borrow a Laptop?

CIS maintains a small laptop loaner pool for short-term loan (up to two weeks) to faculty for special use.   Loans are made on a first-come-first-serve basis and subject to availability.  Demand during academic breaks can be quite high and therefore reservations should be made well in advance.  Requests for longer periods (such as summer travel or sabbatical leave) should be made in advance to the Associate Dean of the Faculty for approval.

Click here to request a laptop.

... Access my Desktop Computer From Off-Campus?

To access your desktop remotely, you'll need to use a third-party remote access program once you've connected to the Vassar network through VPN.  A VPN enables connectivity to the Vassar College network, securely, from a remote location.  VPN enable file sharing, server uploads and similar network services.  In short, VPN will be used to support remote, protected access to the resources typically only available on campus.

Click here for more information.

... Arrange for A/V Equipment or Technicians?

Media Resources is located in the lower level of New England building where we offer a variety of Audio/Visual equipment and support for classroom instruction and special events.

Click here for more information.

... Previewing a Technology-Equipped Classroom?

Media Resources maintains and manages several special spaces on campus that offer more advanced features such as film and video editing and classrooms that are enhanced with technology.  For a list of which classrooms are equipped with which technologies, including QuickTime Virtual Tours, click here for more information.

... Add Funds to My VCash?

You can add funds at either of the two value transfer stations on campus (AC/DC and Main Building) or online with a credit or debit card.

Click here for more information.

...Apply For A Discount on My Cellular Plan?

Information on discounts can be found on the Purchasing Departments web site at:
http://purchasing.vassar.edu/services/vendors.html

Currently, AT&T and Verizon Wireless provide discounts to Vassar College employees.  AT&T offers a 20% discount, and Verizon Wireless provides a 19% discount.  The best way to receive these discounts is to go to a Verizon or AT&T store and present your Vassar College ID to a sales representative in person.  Please check the Purchasing web site for the latest information on discounts as these can change at any time.

Click here for more information.

...Know If I Am Entitled To A Cell Phone Allowance?

Cell phone allowances are provided when there is a legitimate business requirement for such a device. Each request is evaluated on a case by case basis by both the supervisor and Senior Officer.

Click here for more information.

...Learn More About Vassar's Employee Cell Phone Policy?

Vassar College no longer owns cellular telephones or PDAs, or contracts with cellular providers for monthly service for cellular phones or PDAs (except in a very few cases, as described below).  Instead, those employees who have a documented business need for a cellular telephones or PDA will receive a taxable allowance for such service as described below. 

All employees with a business-related need for a cellular telephone or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) allowance must complete the “Cellular Phone / PDA Allowance Request Form.”  This form must be approved by the employee’s direct supervisor as well as by the appropriate Senior Officer.

Click here for more information.

... Back-Up My Computer?

Experienced computer users know that there are two types of people: those who have already lost data and those who are going to experience the pain of losing data in the future.  There are a variety of back-up strategies supported or recommended on campus. 

Click here for more information.