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Saginaw Valley State University

Information Technology Services

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Students working at a computer

 Coop holds out wing to introduce

The most essential information for students - this site will:

  • Help you get started with your SVSU account and login process
  • Familiarize you with the mySVSU portal for course planning and access to SVSU systems
  • Introduce you to SVSU-supported software
  • Connect you to the network
  • Guide you on how to keep your account and data secure

Account and Login

Multi-Factor Authentication keeps your data safe by asking you to confirm a log attempt. Self Service Password Reset allows you to reset your password if you forget it or get locked out.Password

  • Your initial password is created for you. If you haven’t changed it yet, it is your 7-digit ID number, including the leading "0" + birth date.
    (Example: #######MMDDYY).
  • To change your password go to www.svsu.edu, choose Quicklinks, then Change Network Password.

Username 

  • Find your username in your initial admissions packet. If you’re a newly admitted student, find more information on the SVSU Office of Admissions site.

Self Service Password Reset

  • SSPR is a system you must register for. If you forget your password, you can conveniently update it without delays or having to contact IT Support.  To access SSPR settings, go to www.svsu.edu, choose Quicklinks, then Change Network Password.

Multi-factor Authentication

  • MFA is enabled on all SVSU accounts. If recently enrolled, you must take action to complete the MFA setup for your account.
  • Watch for an email that will provide details on when MFA will be activated on your account.
  • Additional information and instructions can be found at www.svsu.edu/mfahelp.
  • If you have already set up MFA, please log into mfa.svsu.edu every semester to ensure your phone number and security questions are still accurate. 

 

SVSU Portal

mySVSU Emgage home screen

The SVSU Portal, at my.svsu.edu, allows you to:

  • View important SVSU notifications
  • Access email and other SVSU systems
  • Register for classes
  • View your class schedule and grades
  • Submit a maintenance request
  • Browse SVSU News
  • Discover upcoming events

Software

Collage of students using available SVSU software 

Access Software While Off Campus

Software required to complete assignments is available within on-campus computer labs. In many cases, SVSU is able to provide a home-use license, or remote access, to course related software.

Stock photo of student touching hologram of download icon.Download Available Software

  1. View the list of software available, to students, for home use.

Access Software Remotely

  1. Not able to visit campus to use on-campus computer labs?
    OR
  2. Your personal computer does not meet the requirements capable of running software required for your classes?

Access software with our virtual computer lab environment using a web browser!

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SVSU Supported Software

At the start of each semester, please review the course syllabus to discover what software will be used for each course.

This is a list of SVSU's most commonly used software - you should expect to use each during your time at SVSU.  Search the mySupport Knowledge Base for information on individual software titles, or view the Student Help for Online Tools and Software Knowledge Article for a summary of most of the titles.

Stock photo of a quiz displaying on a desktop and mobile device.Canvas

  • SVSU's selected Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Canvas is used to share course materials, post assignments, and inform students about class activities.
  • To learn how to use Canvas, self-enroll in this training Passport to Canvas course. 
  • Access SVSU courses, hosted in Canvas, by logging in via the mySVSU portal or by visiting www.svsu.edu, selecting Quicklinks, then Canvas.

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Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

  • LockDown Browser is used to access Canvas Quizzes for secure online exams. It locks down the Canvas testing environment.
  • LockDown Browser is a separate application and must be downloaded and installed via your SVSU Canvas course if required by your instructor.
  • Learn more about Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor.

Place holder red lineStock photo of teacher in front of students in a classroomEcho360 Lecture Capture

  • Echo360 is a video hosting system where many instructors provide recordings of their lectures and presentations. 
  • Instructors may turn on a variety of features that allow students to:
    • Watch and view lectures from their devices
    • Ask questions
    • Participate in discussions or polling activities
    • Take notes, create bookmarks, and mark confusing content
  • Other features include variable playback speeds, transcripts, and captions.
  • Access Echo360, from within Canvas, based on your instructors preference, via the Echo360 tab or the Modules tool.
  • Access Canvas, then Echo360 using the most current versions of Firefox or Google Chrome.
  • View the Echo360 Student Guide

Place holder red lineMicrosoft 365

  • Microsoft 365 includes online and desktop versions of the Office Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Stream,OneDrive, and other online applications.
  • Current SVSU students are eligible to install Office on up to 5 devices, at no cost. View the Microsoft 365 Installation Guide.
  • Access Microsoft 365 online suite by logging in via the mySVSU portal or by visiting www.svsu.edu, selecting Quicklinks, then OneDrive or Outlook. Use the waffle-shaped app launcher menu to see a list of available online software. 
  • Switching from Google? If you have previously used Google apps and have questions on transitioning to Microsoft 365, view the guides below.
  • Use MS Stream to record video presentations and responses for your classes.  Stream is available fully online.  Learn more at this Knowledge Article.

Place holder red lineStock photo of student, at laptop, viewing files.Adobe Creative Cloud

  • Current students have access to Adobe Express only.
  • Express is an online app that makes creating great looking images, videos or web pages easy with the available templates and stock images.
  • Student Employees can access to the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite while logged in to student work stations on campus.
  • Sign to Adobe Express at express.adobe.com. 
    •  Choose to Sign in with Adobe ID (same as your SVSU credentials)
    • Choose Company or School Account when prompted

Internet, File Storage, Printing

Network Connection Information

Welcome Home Get Comfy and Get Connected. Student working on laptop with SVSU WiFi

SVSUSecure

Recommended for SVSU devices, smartphones, and laptops (devices with a web browser application.)  

  • Requires your SVSU username and password. 
  • Delivers the best experience for eligible devices.
  • Provides an encrypted connection.
  • Android Users - when connecting to SVSUSecure:
    • Select PEAP,  MS chap v.2,  Don't Authenticate
    • Enter username not full email address

SVSUMediaGaming

Recommended for gaming devices, Blue-Ray players, televisions, Roku’s, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, etc.

  • Please do NOT connect smartphones or laptops.
  • NAT type for gaming online will always be Moderate or Strict, due to Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo use on corporate networks.

SVSUGuest

Recommended for guests with no SVSU user account. 

  • Requires registration each day and has a slower connection.

Wired Network in Housing

  • Wired network ports and WiFi are set to the same speed.
  • Wired network jacks are NOT ACTIVE by default. Please submit and IT Support Ticket to request an activation and provide the room and the network port information.
  • Wired devices in Housing DO NOT need to be registered in Clearpass.

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  • Network BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) impacts personal devices (laptops, tablets, cellphones)
    Since fall 2020 all non-SVSU owned devices will be treated with restricted access to non-essential internal resources.
  • Content filtering and network speed will remain unchanged on SVSUSecure.

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Troubleshooting WiFi

In the event that you are unable to connect to WiFi, or use SVSUSecure or SVSUMediaGaming, try the following tips:

  • Check that WiFi is enabled on your device and that airplane mode is disabled.
  • Turn WiFi off, then turn it back on. This refreshes the list of networks the device recognizes - this is especially helpful when moving between locations on campus.
  • Use the device option to "Forget wireless network", or disconnect then reconnect.
  • Limit the use of high-bandwidth apps and the number of devices.
    • Keep in mind that wireless is a shared resource. Streaming high-definition movies or downloading large files consumes a large amount of bandwidth which greatly diminishes wireless performance.
    • Students living in SVSU housing may consider connecting devices only during their required time of use (e.g. turn off wireless printers or TVs when not in use).

Connect to the Network via SVSUMediaGaming or SVSU Secure. Contact support@svsu.edu or 964-4225 for help.

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File Storage

 

  • OneDrive cloud logoWe recommend that students use MS OneDrive.
    • OneDrive is part of the Office 365 subscription included with your SVSU account.
    • Access OneDrive within the mySVSU portal.
  • When in computer labs, use the online version of Office 365 apps.
    • This ensures your files are saved directly to your OneDrive.
    • If editing within the desktop version an Office app, be sure to upload the file to your OneDrive before logging out of the computer.
    • Files saved locally, to lab computers, will be erased when logging out of or restarting the computer.

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Printing

 

Print from any device via the web to printers across campus. Visit the SVSU homepage, then Quicklinks, then Print Balance

 

Security

  • Remember computer security is everyone's job! You can help keep our campus secure.
  • Cybercriminals are getting smarter and more clever in their approaches; Universities, hospitals, government agencies, and businesses are regularly hacked and SVSU ITS is working hard to protect our campus community.

Report a Phishing Email Attempt

Always Use Strong Passwords

  • Always use strong passwords and don't share them. Ensure it meets all requirements and does not use a dictionary word it is easily trackable.

An image with an example of a weak password

An image of a secure password phrase
  • Use a phrase of multiple words with a couple of simple substitutions. It's easy to remember and very strong.
  • "I Love Beaches" with the number 1 for I and the @ for a, is very strong.
  • Remember that the longer a password is the better. Try using passphrases (see YouTube link below) instead of passwords. Phrases are long and easier to remember. Make sure that you are using strong passwords on other sites you use.
  • Be sure to use a different password on each site. Never use your SVSU password on other sites.
  • Here is a short video that explains passphrases. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIySPpFHJCo

Report Problems and Ask Questions

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