1-HELP Technology Services

Office of Information Technology

What's inside

Did this page help you?

1-HELP Resources for Faculty

On this page:

Your University Internet ID

All active faculty on University payroll have an Internet ID, a "username" that identifies you to numerous online applications and tools at the University that require you to log in. You can find your Internet ID by searching for yourself on the University directory. If you wish, you may change your Internet ID by calling the Central Accounts office, 612-626-8366.

Internet password

Your Internet password is used for most online self-service applications and tools, such as myU and e-mail. It is very important that you do not share your password. Protect it as you would your credit card and PIN code. To obtain a password, or to reset a forgotten password, call 1-HELP. You can change your password online if you already know it.

Connect to the Internet

Our Internet connection guides help you get your computer online from a variety of places.

At the University

Most buildings are wired with high-speed Ethernet connections. When you are on campus and away from your computer, you can log in at an Internet kiosk to browse the Web and check e-mail (using WebMail). Wireless Ethernet (802.11b) is also available in many University buildings and commons areas, for portable and desktop computers with the appropriate hardware.

At home and away

The University is a dial-up Internet service provider (ISP) for faculty who want to connect via their telephone line using a modem. While this is typically the slowest type of connection, you may be interested in switching to University dial-up if you are already paying another ISP for the same service — with University dial-up, the first 50 hours per month are free, plus $4 for every block of 30 hours $4 thereafter. Your department may purchase toll-free dial-up time if you wish to avoid long-distance charges while traveling. You can purhcase home high-speed or broadband service from a local ISP, and you can receive a discount rate if you sign up through UMart.

Communicating with Colleagues and Students

E-mail

You should check your e-mail regularly, as it is an official means of communication at the University. Occasionally you will receive e-mail regarding pay statements, employee benefits, campus alerts, and other important news. Students, current and prospective, will expect you to answer questions via e-mail regarding your courses and expertise. Your e-mail address is (Your Internet ID)@umn.edu. You can find an e-mail address by searching the University directory.

Set up your computer for e-mail by following one of our online guides, or call 1-HELP to have a consultant help you with this over the phone. WebMail lets you use e-mail via your Web browser without any extra configuration, and it is convenient when using a shared computer or an Internet kiosk.

Telephone and voicemail

University telephones are in the 612 area code, with phone numbers in the 301, 624, 625, and 626 exchange codes. You can call another campus telephone from your own simply by dialing the last five digits of its phone number. For example, to call 1-HELP from outside the University, you would dial 612-301-4357, but from a campus office you can dial 1-4357 (which just happens to spell 1-HELP). To obtain an outside line and dial a full 10-digit number, press 8 first. Our telephone user guides explain all telephone features in more detail.

Gopher Messaging is the University's telephone messaging system. Not only does it provide voicemail when you are unable to answer your phone, but it can also notify you by pager or e-mail, receive faxes, let you manage messages and greetings via the Web, and much more. Our Gopher Messaging user guides provide further details. To obtain your Gopher Messaging password, please call 1-HELP or use the Live Online help.

Calendar and scheduling

UMCal is the University-wide online calendar and scheduling application. Use it to keep track of appointments, reminders, and other time commitments. When scheduling meetings, UMCal shows you which times best fit all participants' agendas.

U of M instant messaging (IM)

UMChat allows for real-time, one-on-one or group conversations. Plain-text messages are received immediately after they are typed and sent. UMChat is a simpler alternative to e-mail when both parties are at their computers.

Web conferencing

UMConnect (formerly Breeze) lets you conduct Web meetings and presentations with colleagues via computer. Features include voice, video text chat, whiteboard, control delegation, and screen sharing.

... and more

Visit the messaging and collaboration page for a more complete list of online communication tools.

Educational Technologies

A wide variety of technologies are available for use in support of teaching and learning at the University. Our educational technology consultants can help you select and effectively utilize technology to enhance teaching, achieve significant learning outcomes, and evaluate these efforts. Please see our Educational Technology page.

Software

You may be eligible to receive the Faculty Toolkit, a collection of free and reduced-price multimedia software available to University of Minnesota instructors to use for University course development and instructional purposes.

We have several other software licenses available below retail cost to departments and individuals, including productivity suites and statistical analysis applications that may aid your teaching and research:

Technical Support

If your department has its own in-house technical support personnel, you may want to check with them first, as they will be most readily familiar with your specific configuration and needs. If this is not practical or possible, please call or e-mail 1-HELP for assistance. We also provide on-site support and carry-in repair services at an hourly fee for both University- and personally-owned computers.

Technology Training

We offer many technology training opportunities, spanning a diverse spectrum of topics. Our short courses and workshops allow you to explore several educational technologies that enhance your students' learning experience.

Change of Status

Name and address

When you move, switch phone numbers, or change your name, remember to update your personal information. An accurate address is important because you will occasionally receive important mailings related to income taxes, employee benefits, and so on. You may need to update your name manually in some places, for example, in your e-mail software and in WebCT.

Vacation, leave, termination

Before you leave, use the central e-mail and telephone systems' forwarding and reply features to provide alternate contacts or notifications to students and colleagues who try reaching you while you are away.

E-mail and Internet ID. When you set e-mail auto-reply, the system responds immediately to senders with a vacation message of your choice. Upon termination of employement, your Internet ID and e-mail account remain active through the upcoming January, allowing you to view your payroll and tax forms online. If you recently enrolled in University courses yourself, then your Internet ID and e-mail may remain active for up to five years, provided you check e-mail at least every 100 days.

Telephone and voicemail. You can change your voicemail greeting or activate call forwarding for your campus phone. Off-campus call forwarding is available only if it was ordered with the phone service.