Listed below are some of our most frequently asked questions concerning campus technology. If you have additional questions, please contact our Service Desk by calling 803/323-2400 or e-mailing servicedesk@winthrop.edu.
Winthrop University Police Department (for after-hours emergencies): x3333
The Center for Professional Excellence: The Center for Professional Excellence
University Web Developer: x2236
I.T. Web site: www.winthrop.edu/technology
(Policies, technology purchases, ACC labs information, etc.)
To access e-mail from the Internet: http://mailbox.winthrop.edu
To request Scantron forms: 803/323-2400 or e-mail: servicedesk@winthrop.edu
Blackboard @ Winthrop: bb-winthrop.blackboard.com
To check voice mail
on campus: x2600
off campus: 803/323-2600 and press #
To set up or modify your EVM options: http://athens.winthrop.edu
Main Switchboard: x2211
Computers
To purchase a Dell computer at a discounted price: www.dell.com/winthrop
To get Microsoft Office for FREE: www.office.com/getoffice365.
For Apple Products go to the Apple Education Store
E-mail and Internet
To connect to the University’s e-mail, visit mailbox.winthrop.edu
To create your account or change your password, use Account Request
To request your personal webpage, visit www.birdnest.org
ID Cards
For lost, damaged or defective cards, call 803/323-4774
(Note: Building access is NOT managed by the Technology Services Office. All access-related
questions should be directed to the card access building coordinator for the specific
building to which you need access.)
Computer Labs
To view information about labs such as lab hours, available software, rules and policies,
current occupancy, virus info, etc., visit www.winthrop.edu/technology
To refresh your print balance, visit apps.winthrop.edu/print
To find out about ACC labs and lab hours, call 803/323-2400
Blackboard
To access online courses taught via Blackboard, visit bb-winthrop.blackboard.com
Wingspan
To access grades, courses, registration, etc., visit wingspan.winthrop.edu
In case of an emergency, the Winthrop University Police Department will issue a WU Alert which will send emergency information via a phone call and a text message. All students, faculty, and staff should sign up to receive WU Alerts.
To sign up, please visit the Emergency Information page.
Retiring faculty* and staff lose access to their user account (including e-mail) on their official last day of employment. If you are retiring but will keep an office on campus (e.g. faculty who continue to teach or conduct research), you may maintain access to your user account.
If you are not maintaining an office on campus, you may choose to have your Winthrop e-mail automatically forwarded to another e-mail address for up to 180 days. This way, e-mails will not be rejected; they will be redirected to your personal e-mail address. Please contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400 to arrange for the redirection.
*Emeriti faculty are entitled to keep their e-mail account as well as other services. Please contact the Emeriti College for more information.
For Faculty, Staff, and Students:
Dell and Winthrop University have entered into a partnership to offer computers at
a special discounted price to all faculty, staff and students. The products are the
same as the ones offered to the general public, but thanks to Winthrop’s connection,
you will receive additional discounts and special offers.
To check out what is available, go to dell.com/winthrop. Students can also use our Student Laptop page page to see required specifications based on their program of study.
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the site. There are lots of options and accessories available, and the possible customizations are endless. Keep in mind that you have to search for and modify options as you go until you find what you want at a price that you like.
Remember, these deals are for personal home computers only. Dell’s website offers all kinds of explanations and advice, but if you need any help configuring a machine, please call the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
Apple also offers discounts for students and educators. If you want to purchase a Mac as your personal computer, go to Apple's Education Store.
For Faculty:
Winthrop offers scoring services for Scantron Optical Scan forms. Blank sheets are available in the TSO (1 McBryde Hall) and can be picked up during normal business hours. Please bring the completed exam together with a key sheet (required) and a weight sheet (optional) to the TSO for scoring.
Depending on the level of activity in the office you are welcome to wait while your forms are being scanned. If you would rather do the scoring yourself via a statistical program, you can request that the raw scanner data be emailed to you. This file can only be sent to Winthrop faculty or staff email addresses
For Faculty:
A great tool for roster management is the PhotoID system. ID pictures are collected
into a database and made available to faculty members as “visual rosters”. These rosters
are always available for your classes or your advisees, allowing you to view or print
pictures at will. You may view them in the PhotoID System. Assuming that you have been correctly assigned as the instructor of record (or advisor
of record) in Banner, you will have the option to print photo ID’s of your students
or advisees.
To view pictures of your students, select the appropriate link. Then, you will see a listing of the classes you currently teach. Select a class and a picture size and click “Get Class Roster”.
To view pictures of your advisees, select the appropriate link. Select a picture size and click “Get Advisee List”.
TIP: If you select “NO” in the image size menu, you will be able to save your students’ names and e-mail addresses in an Excel file. (This is very useful if you want to create your own Excel spreadsheets for grading.)
Please visit our Student Laptops page for required specifications for your program of study and for links to purchase devices through our partners.
Winthrop currently supports three video conferencing platforms: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Tutorials and platform comparisons are available on our Video Conferencing page.
All students attending Winthrop are required to apply for a student user account, also known as an ACC account. A user account provides: Full access to the student computer labs, access to Google Drive and other Google apps, full access to the wireless network, space to create a personal webpage, access to the lab printers, a web-based e-mail account, and access to the Wingspan portal, Blackboard, DegreeWorks, etc.
To create your account, use our New Student Account Request form. (Return to this page once you have created your account.)
After creating your new student account, wait 90 minutes and complete the below steps:
Visit mailbox.winthrop.edu
When prompted, enter your username followed by @mailbox.winthrop.edu (e.g., doej2@mailbox.winthrop.edu). The “@mailbox” must always be entered when a Google page is displayed.
Next, type your student email address without “mailbox.” (e.g.,doej2@winthrop.edu)
Enter your password set during the account creation process
More information required. Select “Next”
Provide your mobile phone number and select whether you want to Receive a code by text or Call me. Select “Next”
Type in the numbers that were texted or answer the call and follow the prompt. Then select “Next”
Verification complete at this time. Select “Next”
Select “Done”
Please watch the 3 minute video located at https://www.winthrop.edu/technology/MFA.aspx under the section labeled Installing Microsoft Authenticator to secure your account.
Every faculty and staff member can apply for a user account. A user account will give you access to computers in campus offices, an e-mail address and even a webpage if desired. In addition, depending on your department, where you teach, or what system you need to access, you may apply for additional accounts. As a precaution against identity theft, we strongly recommend that you use different passwords for all of your Winthrop accounts.
Requesting an account means that you have read and that you understand the rules and policies governing the use of technology at Winthrop. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with all such policies by visiting the Policies section of the sidebar menu.
Your WIN account is your main user account. It provides access to your office computer as well as your official Winthrop e-mail address. Your WIN account is also used to create and manage your webpage if you have one, and access your e-mail from off campus. To request a WIN account simply go to the Technology Services Office in 01 McBryde and fill out the WIN Account Request form. You can also download the form directly at WIN Account Request Form.
ACC accounts are student accounts and are only usable in an ACC lab. If you are going to teach most of your classes in a lab, we recommend that you request an ACC account. On the other hand, if you are only going to teach a few sessions in a lab, we recommend that you use the generic “instructor” username. (For the password please contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.) To request an ACC account, use our ACC Account Request Form
Banner is the main administrative system. Most employees will access Banner via Wingspan with their WIN credentials and will not need a special account. Your department head will determine whether you need a Banner account.
The Computer Science labs, located in Thurmond 115 and Carroll 215, offer access to several Linux computers. Computer Science faculty are provided a Linux account upon arrival. Any other faculty or staff who wish to use the Linux system will need an ACC account.
Your account is disabled approximately 6 months after graduation. Shortly after each semester (May and December), graduates will be notified of the next steps to move their e-mail to an alumni account if they so choose. It is imperative to go through the migration process before your account is disabled. If you leave Winthrop before graduating, your account will be disabled approximately 6 months after you have ceased to be enrolled. Certain exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances such as military deployment. Please contact the Service Desk if you are in such a situation. If you return to Winthrop after your account has been disabled, you will be given a new account with the same username that you had before. Please note that the content associated with your original account will not be available.
Students can get alumni accounts through the Alumni Office upon graduation. Previous graduates who do not have an account but would like to request one should contact the Alumni Office as well. https://www.winthrop.edu/alumni/
At the end of your last day of employment your account will be automatically disabled. On request, and with approval from your supervisor, an automatic e-mail forward will be created for up to 180 days. Please contact the Service Desk before your last day.
Emeriti faculty are entitled to keep their e-mail account as well as other services. Please contact the Emeriti College for more information.
Identification (ID) cards are created in the Technology Services Office. Every Winthrop employee and student receives one ID card for free. A replacement fee will be charged for subsequent lost or stolen cards. Damaged or defective cards are replaced for free but have to be turned in.
Retirees are entitled to get a free retiree ID card to maintain certain employee privileges such as access to the Dacus library or some athletics facilities. A retiree ID card looks exactly like a faculty/staff card. The only difference is that it states “Retiree” instead of “Faculty/Staff.” In addition, Emeriti retirees may request that their ID card title state “Emeritus” instead of “Retiree.”
The spouse/partner or dependent of a full time faculty/staff member, retiree, or Roddey resident may be issued a guest (family) ID card upon request. In order to create the card, the primary card holder must be present.
In February 2021, Multifactor Authentication (MFA) began to roll out to all faculty and staff. MFA is sometimes also referred to as Dual-Factor Authentication. MFA is an added security measure which allows Winthrop to comply with various state and federal regulations. It adds an additional step to the login process where users use a secondary device, typically a desk phone or cell phone, to confirm the user's identity before completing the login.
As a result of MFA and additional security features, faculty and staff are required to log into applications each work day. Each morning, faculty and staff may be prompted to log into these common applications:
Once a user logs into a web-based application such as Wingspan, they may not need to sign into other web-based applications for the remainder of the work day. Logins on all applications time out at the end of the work day, so users may be prompted to login again in the evening if they try to access their applications.
For additional information about MFA and how to use the Authenticator App, please visit the MultiFactor Authentication webpage.
You can change your password at anytime, however, you have to change it at least once every 180 days. Choose a password that is easy to remember and yet hard to guess. Passwords of 11 characters or more are harder to “crack”. Think of it as a passphrase rather than a password. For example: “IloveIceCream2”. Do not use “dictionary” words or proper names such as “biology,” “Elizabeth,” etc.
Passwords need to be at least 8 characters long and match three of the following rules:
In addition, your password cannot contain your username or match a previously used password.
Keep this password secret and remember it. Winthrop policies prohibit users from sharing their passwords with anyone. No one in IT can retrieve your password from any system. If you forget your password, simply call the IT Service Desk and request that your password be reset. This action will simply attach a default password to your account and allow you to create a new secret password.
Once you have created your own password, you can change it from any location where you have access to the Internet. Of course, the procedure is easier and faster if you perform it from your campus computer. The procedure to change your password varies depending on which system you access. Here are a few examples:
On Campus (Preferred method)
1. From your computer, press and release the CTRL, ALT and Delete keys simultaneously. Your desktop will temporarily disappear and a new screen will appear.
2. Click on the “Change a Password…” button. Another screen will appear. Make sure that your username is displayed in the first field.
3. Type your current password in the “Old password” field.
4. Type your new password in both “New password” and “Confirm password” fields.
Note: To move from one field to the next, press the “Tab” key on your keyboard or use your mouse to click on the next field. Do NOT use the “Enter” key.
5. When you have entered all the required information, simply click on the “arrow” button or press the “Enter” key on your keyboard. The computer will confirm that your password has been changed.
6. Click “OK” and then “Cancel” to return to your desktop.
7. To confirm your password has been changed, press and release the CTRL, ALT, and
Delete keys simultaneously and select "Lock". Press any key to get a logon prompt
and enter your new password.
Off Campus
You can visit Change Password.
You can visit our Change Password page. If you forgot your password, you can use the Self-Service Password Reset process. Visit Wingspan or another Winthrop-authenticated application and in the login window, click "Forgot my password." Follow the prompts to confirm your identity and set a new password. Full instructions can be found below.
Using Self-Service Password Reset
Please remember to keep your password secret. Do not share it with anyone. In particular, never send your password via e-mail, even if requested by IT. Also, you must remember the answers to your security questions. If you do not remember, please call the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
If you forgot your password, you can reset it using Self-Service Password Reset. Visit a Microsoft-authenticated application to log in. In the login window, click "Forgot my password" and follow the prompts. For detailed instructions, please reference the PDF below.
You only need to set up Self-Service Password Reset once. You will be prompted when you first attempt to log into a Microsoft-authenticated application (e.g. Wingspan). There, you can add, verify, or change your phone number or alternate e-mail. If you are a faculty or staff member, the contact information that appears should be the same as your Multi-factor authentication.
For full instructions, please reference the PDF below.
Personal wireless printers are not permitted in residence halls, however, students may have personal printers that use a wired connection to a student’s computer. Wireless printers interfere with the campus network, can allow for unauthorized printing by someone other than the printer’s owner, and can create vulnerabilities in campus Internet security. If you are bringing a personal printer to campus, please make sure it uses a USB connection and turn off any wireless capabilities.
Some video streaming devices require access to the wireless network. Unfortunately, those devices are made for home use and may not work on an enterprise network such as Winthrop’s. In particular, streaming devices that are controlled by a mobile phone are not likely to work properly. For example, Chromecast does not work reliably. On the other hand, devices that include a separate remote (such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV) should work. Please note that these devices will not be supported by IT and also that, when connected, your device may be visible to any and all other users on the campus network.
Most devices such as laptops, tablets, and smart phones will easily connect to winthropsecure. Some devices may not work as well in a residence hall as they do at home. For example, certain game consoles or smart TV’s cannot “see” winthropsecure. That is most likely because they are not able to connect to a WPA2 Enterprise network. However, those devices can still connect to Winthrop’s Wi-Fi network, provided you request access with the Special Network Access form.
All residence halls have free wireless network access. Some also have “Ethernet” jacks for wired connectivity. Please note that the wired connections are inoperative. However, they can be activated on request. Contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400 for more information.
Directions for connecting a laptop to winthropsecure can be found in our Wireless Instructions PDF.
Directions for connecting a cell phone to winthropsecure can be found in Cellphone Instructions PDF.
Also, be sure to 'forget' the WinthropGuest network. Computers and mobile devices are programmed to remember the wireless networks that they connect to. Although very helpful in most cases, that feature can also be a hinderance.
If you notice that your device keeps connecting to WinthropGuest instead of Winthropsecure, be sure to go into the Wi-Fi settings and “forget” WinthropGuest. This will prevent your device from randomly connecting to the wrong network while you are on campus.
Microsoft Outlook® is the standard e-mail application for faculty and staff at Winthrop. When you receive your user account, a mailbox is automatically created. Your e-mail address is simply your username followed by “@winthrop.edu”. (Example: smithj@winthrop.edu.)
Outlook offers many features in addition to e-mail. For example, your department may be using public folders, delegates, or other special features. Please refer to the many online tutorials and videos if you need an introduction to Outlook.
Note: Outlook is part of the Microsoft Office Suite. If you would like to have the latest version, please call the IT Service Desk and ask for an upgrade.
You can access your Winthrop e-mail account from anywhere in the world if you can get on the Internet. Use a browser to visit http://mailbox.winthrop.edu. A box will appear where you enter your username and password. Another option is to navigate to the Office365 portal at http://portal.office.com.
You can read and send e-mail, view your Contacts and Calendar, and do most of the same things that you can do with Outlook in your office. The Internet version is slightly different in some ways, but the Outlook bar, Folder List, and many of the same buttons are all there.
IMPORTANT: E-mail is an official method for communication at Winthrop University. The University may send communications to students via e-mail. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading in a timely fashion University-related communications sent to their official Winthrop University student e-mail account. Please read Winthrop University’s Student E-mail Policy at www.winthrop.edu/guide.
To access your e-mail account, you need to have a web browser (Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari) installed on your computer and access to the Internet. All computer labs on campus have this.
To log on to your e-mail account, visit http://mailbox.winthrop.edu. Enter your Username (not your full e-mail address) and Password.
The system is hosted by Gmail and offers all the standard features found in online e-mail systems such as an address book, folders, signature, etc. In addition, the system includes very powerful features such as filters and automatic forwarding options. Please spend a few minutes getting familiar with all the available options.
Faculty and staff can connect their mobile devices to the e-mail system. Unfortunately, the procedure varies with specific devices and specific versions of their operating systems (e.g. iOS or Android). So, in order to sync your device with your account, you will need to apply the following settings:
| Account type: | Exchange |
| E-mail address: | username@winthrop.edu (replace "username" with your WIN username, e.g. smithj@winthrop.edu) |
| Server: | outlook.office365.com |
| Domain: | (nothing needed for iOS) For Android: win.winthrop.edu |
| Username: | username@winthrop.edu (replace "username" with your WIN username) For Android: WIN\username |
| Description: | Winthrop E-mail |
Check setting to require a SSL secure connection.
NOTES:
Your e-mail account is hosted by Gmail. If your mobile device provides a built-in option to add a Gmail account, simply follow the prompts. Otherwise, manually configure your device by using the information listed below. Please note that the procedure varies with specific devices and specific versions of their operating systems (e.g. iOS and Android).
On your device, go to Settings and select Add E-mail Account. Then apply the following settings:
| E-mail Address: | username@mailbox.winthrop.edu (Replace username with your ACC username, e.g. smithj2@mailbox.winthrop.edu) |
| IMAP Server: | imap.gmail.com |
| Outgoing Server: | smtp.gmail.com |
| Incoming Port: | 993 |
| Outgoing Port: | 465 |
Check setting to allow SSL secure connection.
Class LISTSERVs provide a great way to communicate with your students outside of the classroom. Some instructors use the LISTSERVs as mini chat rooms for class discussions. Others send important pre-test information to help students prepare. The possibilities are endless.
A List Server List (LISTSERV) is a dynamic, automated distribution list. It receives a message and then re-sends the message to all subscribers. Individuals can add and remove themselves from a list at will. List Server Lists are appropriate for discussion forums.
Shortly after the beginning of fall and spring semesters, a list will be created for each course and section being taught during that semester. (During summer sessions, lists will only be created if requested. Simply call the IT Service Desk.)
This list will contain the Winthrop e-mail address of the instructor of record and each registered student. Students or instructors who do not have a Winthrop e-mail address at the time the list is created will not be automatically subscribed to the list. However, any student or instructor not automatically subscribed can still manually subscribe to the list by following the instructions below. Users having problems sending to the class lists should verify that their messages are composed in “plain text." To send a message to a class list, send an e-mail to the appropriate list address.
Class list addresses are of the form:
coursedesignator@class.winthrop.edu.
Example: BIOL205H001@class.winthrop.edu
To manually subscribe to a class list, simply create an e-mail addressed to imailsrv@class.winthrop.edu with nothing in the subject line and in the body type only the following:
subscribe coursedesignator YourFullName
Similarly, to unsubscribe from a class list, create an e-mail addressed to imailsrv@class.winthrop.edu with nothing in the subject line and in the body type only the following:
unsubscribe coursedesignator
NOTE: There should be NO OTHER TEXT in the body of these e-mails; this includes signatures.
A List Server List (Listserv) is a dynamic, automated distribution list. It receives a message and then resends the message to all subscribers. Individuals can add and remove themselves from a list at will. List Server Lists are appropriate for discussion forums.
Shortly after the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, lists will be created for each course and section being taught during the semester. This list will have the Winthrop e-mail address of the instructor of record and each registered student. Students or instructors who do not have a Winthrop e-mail address at the time the list was created will not be automatically subscribed to the list. However, any students or instructors not automatically subscribed can still manually subscribe to the list. Users having problems sending to the class lists should verify that their messages are composed in “plain text." (Compose your e-mails without fancy formatting or special characters.) To send a message to a class list, send an e-mail to the appropriate list address.
Class list addresses are of the form:
coursedesignator@class.winthrop.edu.
Examples:
BIOL205H001@class.winthrop.edu and MGMT511001@class.winthrop.edu
If you do not have a Winthrop e-mail address at the time the list is created, you will not be automatically subscribed. However, you can manually subscribe to any lists at any time:
To manually subscribe to a class list, simply create an e-mail addressed to imailsrv@class.winthrop.edu with nothing in the subject line and in the body type only the following:
subscribe coursedesignator YourFullName
Similarly, to unsubscribe from a class list, create an e-mail addressed to imailsrv@class.winthrop.edu with nothing in the subject line and in the body type only the following:
unsubscribe coursedesignator
NOTE: There should be NO OTHER TEXT in the body of these e-mails; this includes signatures.
Winthrop University’s voicemail system allows any e-mail account to receive voice mail messages. Please remember that the Enabled Voice Mail (EVM) features will only be activated on your mailbox after you set up the required options.
For more information on using EVM check out our EVM Guide.
If you need assistance or would like to report a problem with your telephone, please contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
Winthrop University phone numbers start with “323” followed by a four-digit extension. To dial a number within the campus, simply use the extension (last four digits). To reach a campus number from the outside, dial “323-nnnn” (or 1-803/323-nnnn) where “nnnn” is the extension.
Extensions starting with “6” cannot be accessed from the outside unless transferred via the main switchboard. Adding “323” in front of “6nnn” will not work.
To reach a number in the Rock Hill local dialing area or to dial a toll-free number, you need to dial “9” to access an outside line. (For example: 9-1-800-555-1212.)
To dial a long-distance number, dial “5” to access the long-distance line, then dial
the number you are calling (start with “1” and the area code).
ENHANCED-911 SERVICE
The Winthrop University Police Department office is equipped with an E-911 SiteAlert notification system that provides the time, callback number, and exact location of 911 calls. All 911 calls are received at the York County Emergency Preparedness Center. For non-emergency calls, please call the Winthrop University Police Department directly at 803/323-3333.
VOICE MESSAGING
Follow these steps to initialize your mailbox:
Note: You will also have the option to select a “standard” system greeting. The personal
greeting is usually much friendlier and more informative for your callers. The standard
greeting simply says:
“Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice message system. (Your name) is
not available. At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording,
you may hang up or press 1 for more options.”
To retrieve messages from your phone:
To retrieve messages from another phone on-campus:
To retrieve messages from off-campus:
When you know you’ll be away for some time (for example during school breaks or vacations), an extended absence greeting can be added to your personal voice mailbox from on campus or off campus.
Follow the usual procedure to connect to the voice mail system. Once at the main menu, press 4 for Personal Options. Then press 3 for Greetings and finally 2 for Extended Absence Greeting. Follow the system prompts to record your extended absence greeting. The next time you check your messages, you’ll be given the option to retain or delete the extended absence greeting. Once you delete it, the original greeting is re-activated.
If I call the same person frequently, how can I avoid listening to their greeting
and just leave them a message?
When their greeting begins, press the # key. The only time you will not be able to
bypass the greeting is if they have an extended absence greeting.
How do I find out the time/day a message was left on my voice mail?
At the end of the message, press 5.
Is there a way to skip through a message on my voice mail so that I won’t have to
listen to the whole message?
Press 3-3. That will take you to the end of the message. If you want to go back to
the beginning of a message, press 1-1.
How do I transfer a message to someone else?
After listening to the message, press 6 and follow the prompts to add your introduction
and the destination mailbox number.
If I forget my password, how can I retrieve my messages?
You can’t. If this happens, contact the I.T. Service Desk at x2400. Your mailbox can
be reset so that you can establish a new password. Unfortunately, all messages you
have at that time will be lost.
If I delete a message, is there any way I can retrieve it?
No.
How do I leave a message for someone and not have their phone ring?
Dial 803/323-2600 and when it answers, press *-* (Star Star), then enter their extension
number.
How can I reply to a message without calling a person back?
At the end of the message, press 8 and follow the prompt to record your reply. Remember
to press # at the end of your message.
Network drives, also known as “Z: Drives”, are easy and powerful mechanisms for storing files in a centrally accessible location. Your Z: drive will be accessible from any computer running the Windows or Mac operating system on campus.
On request, a network drive will be created for you. (This requires a valid computer account.) Once activated, your Z: drive will be automatically attached to your computer whenever you log on. You can also access your Z: drive from a computer that is in use by another user. (For example if you are in an ACC lab or in a classroom and are logged on with a generic username such as “instructor”.) In this case, you will have to manually attach (or “map”) your Z: drive (see below).
Z: drives have been discontinued for students and have been replaced with G drives (Google drives).
1. Right-click on "My PC" in the Start/Windows menu.
2. Select “Map network drive…”. At this point, a dialog box will ask you to enter two pieces of information. One is the path to your shared drive, and the other is the Drive letter that you want to use to “label” this drive.
3. Pick any letter that is not already in use. (If you pick “Z” then you will have
a “Z: drive”.) The way you tell the computer how to find your shared drive is simple,
but needs to be typed very precisely:
\\hamlet.win.winthrop.edu\drivename.
The “\” symbols and “hamlet” are part of the naming convention and are required. Be sure to replace “drivename” with the name of the drive you are trying to map.
4. If not on your own machine, be sure to uncheck the “Reconnect at logon” box (on your machine you can leave this checked). If you omit this step, the next time that user logs on, they will be prompted for your password to re-attach your shared drive. (This is not dangerous, but very annoying.)
5. If on another user's machine, check “Connect using different credentials.” The computer will again display a dialog box. You will have to enter your username (preceded by “win\”) and your password. (This step guarantees that only you can access your shared drive.) Never give your password to anyone, even if you allow them to connect to your shared drive. Type the username and password yourself.
Conversely, never ask anyone to give you their password. If you need to access another user’s shared drive, ask them to type their username and password.
If you manually attached your shared drive to another user's computer or while another user was logged on, you will need to disconnect it when you are finished, otherwise, that user will still have access to your files.
To disconnect a shared drive, follow these simple steps:
1. Right-click on “Computer” in the “Start” menu.
2. Select “Disconnect network drive…”. At this point, the computer will display a window with all the currently mapped drives.
3. Select the drive that you want to disconnect and click on “OK”.
NOTE: Z: drives for students are being discontinued and have been replaced with G drives (Google drives).
When you log on with your user account in a lab, the computer will automatically connect to your private network storage space. Your space will be on the Z: drive.
Outside of a lab, such as with your personal computer, you will have to manually connect to your Z: drive. Follow these simple instructions:
Note: Student Z: drives can only be accessed on campus.
Yes! Your files are important, so back them up! The recommended method is to use Microsoft OneDrive. You may also use external devices such as USB flash drives (also known as thumb drives).
Even new equipment can fail. Don’t let your hard drive (C: drive) be the only location for your important files.
There are other ways to make backups. Use anything that you feel comfortable with.
Endpoint Protection
Faculty and staff computers are automatically protected against known malware. All
virus definition updates are handled by a centralized system. Updates and scans happen
in the background and are designed to minimize disruptions. If you believe that your
computer is infected, please notify the IT Service Desk as soon as possible.
WARNING: All computers connected to the University network are required to have an active and up-to-date anti-virus program as well as a fully updated operating system. IT Technicians may periodically scan the network for unprotected or vulnerable computers. Any computers in violation of IT policies could lose access to the network. If you do not follow Winthrop’s Information Technology Policies, you are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will be subject to sanctions. For more information, visit www.winthrop.edu/guide or read the Responsible Computing Guide PDF
Computer security is everyone’s responsibility. Most viruses or malware nowadays rely on the user (you!) actively triggering something. You can increase your chances of keeping a “clean” computer by following the recommendations above and being sure to:
AVG: www.avg.com
AdAware: www.lavasoft.com
Recent viruses can send infected e-mail messages from an infected computer and make the messages “look” like they came from you. This can be particularly confusing when a user asks you why you are sending infected messages when, in reality, you don’t even have an infected computer.
Here is an example of how confusing these viruses can be: John, Mary, and Sue all know each other. Mary’s computer gets infected with a virus and sends an infected e-mail to John that “appears” to come from Sue. John calls Sue and tells her that he has received an infected message from her. This happened because Mary’s infected computer had John and Sue’s e-mail addresses in the address book and then started sending forged e-mails with fake return addresses.
Observe the following guidelines when receiving e-mail to minimize risk from computer viruses and to prevent propagation of hoaxes:
Please bear in mind that computer viruses and computer hoaxes often rely upon e-mail to wreak havoc. Do not be a part of this havoc by overusing the e-mail system to notify other users. System managers will generally take responsibility to notify their customers. Virus notifications should be forwarded to servicedesk@winthrop.edu.
If you wish to know how to distinguish between genuine viruses and computer hoaxes, a reputable source is the CERT Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon (www.cert.org).
Numerous hoaxes circulate on the Internet. Anytime you see a message that asks you to “tell everyone you know,” there is a good chance that the message is a hoax intended to overuse e-mail systems and networks.
If you were to e-mail everyone you know, and they e-mail everyone they know, and so on, millions of unnecessary messages would be generated. The ultimate goal of these hoaxes is to overuse e-mail systems to the point that they crash e-mail servers or halt network traffic. These messages often promise money or good luck. Others often threaten with viruses or pending legislation.
If you receive a message that appears to be a hoax, is offensive, or is in violation of law or University policy, please forward the message to servicedesk@winthrop.edu for analysis.
If you’re like most people, you’ve experienced a dramatic increase in Unsolicited Commercial E-mail (UCE), otherwise known as “spam.” You are not alone. Almost everyone is receiving these usually undesired messages. Businesses and universities, including Winthrop, are using various means (none 100% effective) to cope with and reduce the amount of spam that is delivered to users’ mailboxes. These measures range from filters, to real-time black hole lists, and commercial anti-spam appliances. Unfortunately, machines cannot yet “read” an e-mail message or “view” a photo and accurately discern whether or not a message should be considered spam. When you receive a spam message, it is usually best to simply ignore it and delete it. It is generally not a good idea to click on any part of the message, or follow any web link.
*Portions of the above text were written by David Kelley at the University of Hartford and adapted for publication at Winthrop University with permission.
Winthrop students have access to over 30 computer labs throughout the campus. Most labs are only accessible during class time. Others, called open-access labs, are accessible at any time during scheduled hours. The open-access labs are open to any students, faculty or staff with a valid ACC computer account. All lab users must follow lab rules and policies posted at www.winthrop.edu/technology. In particular, the viewing of pornographic material in the labs is prohibited and against state law.
Open-access lab schedules are generous and tailored to academic needs. The most popular lab location is in the Dacus Library.
All labs include a suite of software applications that students may not necessarily have on their personal computers. Some software applications are only available in certain labs.
Open-access lab locations, schedules, and current occupancy are easily accessible online in the navigation menu under "Lab Information." All open-access labs have at least one high-speed laser printer, and most also offer high-speed color printing.
Winthrop University uses a pre-paid delivery system where all print jobs going to a lab printer are deducted from a user’s balance. As of this writing, the cost per page is 4¢ for b&w and 35¢ for color. The cost of a print job is deducted as soon as the job is submitted and regardless of the final outcome. In fact, print jobs that jam in the printer are still deducted from a user’s balance and cannot be refunded. At the beginning of each semester, each user’s balance is refreshed with a free $10 allowance. This allowance is designed to cover basic printing needs as well as all potential system problems that may happen during the semester, such as paper jams or toner smears. To refresh your printing balance, please visit https://apps.winthrop.edu/print.
Always save your work to an external device such as a flash drive or your Google drive. All data not saved to an external device will be lost when you log off.
All computers in the labs are designed for ACC domain accounts only. A faculty/staff WIN domain account will not work in a computer lab. If you regularly teach in the computer labs you are encouraged to get an ACC user account.
Having an ACC account will also allow you to print while using the lab. To request an ACC account, use our Request New Student Account form.
If you only occasionally teach in a lab, you are welcome to use a generic account called “instructor.” This account will let you access all the software available in the labs but will not allow printing. Also, if you would like to access your Z: drive using the “instructor” account, you will have to manually map it. You can get the password to the “instructor” account by calling the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
Please use central University Room Reservation System (Coursedog).
All computer labs offer a large selection of software, including titles such as the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite. Special software packages are also installed in certain computer labs depending on available licenses.
If you require additional software for use with your classes, keep in mind that it must be tested and installed prior to the beginning of each semester. Deadlines for getting software installed in the labs vary and will be e-mailed to all faculty. The deadlines are generally June 1st for Fall semester and December 1st for Spring semester.
Please contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400 if you need specific software installed in a lab.
The Academic Computing lab computers are covered by a very generous warranty. In addition, the labs are supported by a team of highly trained technicians and a good inventory of parts. Any hardware problems in the labs can often be fixed within a few business hours. To report a problem in a lab, call the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the computers in a lab before you actually need to conduct a class. For a quick tour, or if you need assistance while using a lab, please contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400.
In order to use the labs, students need to create a user account (ACC user account). With this account, they are able to log on and use any of the ACC computer labs. In addition, they automatically receive an e-mail address and are allowed to access printers.
The labs use a pay-as-you-print system whereby students are charged for any jobs that they send to the printers. Please keep that in mind when giving assignments. Asking your students to print a 20-page presentation may have unexpected consequences.
Most of Winthrop University’s teaching spaces are equipped with technology. However, the number of devices available in any particular classroom will vary. All technology-equipped classrooms will have at least one computer connected to the network, and one projector. This allows a professor to display slide presentations or demonstrate a piece of software, or even browse the Internet without bringing any additional equipment into the room. Other classrooms will have a document camera, a Smartboard, or a Touch Screen.
Smartboard or Touch Screen
Both devices are similar in usage and are based on the same technology. Basically, a Smartboard is a whiteboard with a touch sensitive surface. This allows a user to “draw” on the screen with electronic pens. The Smartboard not only works as a standard screen that can display anything that is on the computer, but the Smartboard will also allow you to dynamically change that display just by touching it. In addition, the computer can be entirely controlled from the board, thereby minimizing your moving across the room.
A standard Smart Classroom will include a lectern with a computer. Some locations will also have a document camera. For your convenience, a top-mounted panel neatly gathers all the necessary controls in one place. From there you can easily select which video source to display or even turn the projector on and off. Depending on the lectern model, the panel may provide connections for a laptop as well as USB ports. This allows you to plug in accessories such as a flash drive, a Keyspan remote, or a digital camera without opening the lectern.
Some classrooms have different control systems or may use the projector’s remote to select video sources.
Some lectern computers are known as “All-in-One” systems. There is no tower. Everything is contained in the monitor. Most of the All-in-One computers have a touch screen.
A limited number of licenses are available for faculty and staff who need access to Adobe products. A license allows users to access the software anywhere including in the classroom, your office, or at home. To request a license, please contact the IT Service Desk at servicedesk@winthrop.edu or call 803/323-2400. Please allow 1-2 business days for your request to be approved.
Adobe products such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premier are available in campus computer labs. Once you start an Adobe application, it will ask you to sign in. Please follow the "Get an Adobe ID" prompts to create your free Adobe ID.
If any of your courses require the use of Adobe software, you will temporarily be assigned a personal user license. That license will allow you to use the software in labs and even install it on your personal laptop.
This is a webpage on the official Winthrop University Faculty website. This site is reserved for faculty members who want to publish biographical information, publications, etc. (For class assignments, syllabi or other files for the students, we recommend using Blackboard.) The type of content allowed on this site is strictly limited to professional, academic, and research information. You will need your department head to sign your application for such a webpage. Applications are available in the Technology Services Office in 01 McBryde.
This is a webpage on the official Winthrop University website. This site holds official information from most departments of the university. The content and format of the pages on this site are strictly monitored for style and consistency with university web policy. The tool used to create and modify these pages is the Content Management System (CMS) called OU Campus. Usually, a few people are in charge of maintaining this page. To create a department webpage or to change its author, your department head should send an e-mail request to the Director of Web Development.
The Birdnest website is where all student webpages are hosted. Faculty and staff members may also request a page on this site. The format and content are less restricted than on the official university websites. Most people generally use this site to publish personal information about their families, hobbies, sports, etc. Applying for a Birdnest webpage does not require the approval of your department head. You may request a personal webpage by going to www.birdnest.org.
Adobe Dreamweaver is the recommended editor for creating and maintaining webpages on the Faculty and the Birdnest servers. (See the section on “Creating a Webpage”.) Before requesting a webpage, please familiarize yourself with Winthrop’s Web Policy.
All student websites are hosted on a server in the “birdnest.org” domain. Before you can edit your website, you must create it. To do so, go to www.birdnest.org and follow the prompts. A blank website will be created for you.
The address for your website (or URL) will be www.birdnest.org/username. (Replace username with your ACC username.)
Once your website has been created, you can edit it with any HTML editor. You may use the editor of your choice, however, Winthrop recommends Adobe Dreamweaver. This software is installed on all ACC lab computers.
Using an HTML editor to create a website results in a series of files stored inside a folder on your computer. To transfer those files to the web server, you need a utility program capable of communicating over the SFTP protocol. Dreamweaver can be configured to automatically use SFTP, but if your editor cannot, Winthrop recommends the free utility FileZilla.
Quick-start guides for Dreamweaver and FileZilla are available in our Webpage Editing resource.
A variety of information and tutorials for webpage creation and editing can be found by going to our Webpage Editing link.
All computers running Microsoft Windows are centrally updated by technicians in IT. This happens in the background and without your intervention. Most updates require your computer to be restarted. If you see a pop-up window saying that updates have been installed and that your computer needs to be restarted, please do so promptly. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of the pop-up message, please call the IT Service Desk.
Users often wonder about when to turn their computers off and when to leave them on. There are many reasons to leave them on or to turn them off, but Winthrop’s IT department asks that you keep your computer running 24 hours a day during the week. On weekends, turn it off.
If you leave your computer on all night, then IT can schedule intensive maintenance during a time when you will most likely not be affected. For instance, full virus scans of your computer’s hard drive can be scheduled in the middle of the night. Likewise, your system can be automatically updated before you arrive in the morning.
However, computers tend to behave better if they are rebooted periodically. So, it is important to restart them once in a while. Of course, you can restart your system every day if you wish, but many of us keep several documents open all week long, and we don’t want to close all those windows just to restart. That is where the weekend procedure comes into play. If you get into the habit of turning off your PC when you leave for the weekend, then it will be rebooted at least once a week.
Bear in mind that all computers are set to use energy management tools to minimize energy waste as much as possible. You will notice, for instance, that your monitor “goes to sleep” after a certain period of inactivity.
Another concern is security. You need to make sure that your files are not compromised in any way. For that, you have a couple of options. You can log off, or simply lock your PC. This is accomplished by pressing press the Windows key + L or pressing CTRL-ALT-Delete and clicking on “Lock this computer.” When you do this, you will stay logged on and all your opened windows will remain intact. However, only you can “unlock” the computer. (You should not lock a PC that you share with someone else.)
So, remember: Keep your PC on all week long and turn it off when you leave for the weekend. Lock it anytime you leave your office, or log off if you don’t mind closing all your opened windows.
You are welcome to purchase any software packages that are not already on your computer, but please do not install the so-called free utilities or toolbars that roam the Internet. Most of them contain spyware or may affect the functioning of the other programs on your computer.
Also, users are safer when they are granted appropriate access to their computers. In particular, “Local Administrator” access is only granted on request as it has been shown to increase the risk of malware infestation. Please call the IT Service Desk if you have any questions about selecting the proper software or if you require “Local Administrator” privileges.
The IT department employs several student helpers. The most technically qualified are often sent on “missions” in faculty or staff offices. We value and trust our helpers, but we understand that you may feel uncomfortable when a student shows up to work on your computer. If you have any doubts about who is working on your computer, please call the IT Service Desk.
Similarly, be careful when you receive a call from someone pretending to be from the IT department. In particular, be sure not to give any confidential information (including your password) over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity. (IT technicians will not ask you for your password.) Again, please call the IT Service Desk if you have any doubts.
Full-time employees (with benefits) are assigned a new computer when they join Winthrop. That computer is replaced every four years, although the exact replacement date may vary depending on a user's availability as well as other factors.
If you believe that your computer is ready for a replacement, please contact the IT Service Desk for confirmation of eligibility. You may need to provide your computer's serial number or tag number as appropriate.
Please note that the actual specifications may change as manufacturers update their products. Contact the IT Service Desk at 803/323-2400 for information about available options.
Updated August 2024
