Return to Campus: Technology Pointers

Update all your devices to the latest operating system and software. Updated software is more secure, has the latest features and bug fixes, and supports your work and studies best. Some updates take longer than others based on the products you use and when the last updates occurred. 

• Use Software Center/Self-Service:
  • For Windows devices: Visit the Software Center application to install available software updates.
  • For Mac devices: Visit the Self-Service application follow these instructions to manually install updates.
  • If you encounter any issues Technology Help can assist you.
• If you have a separate on-campus device that you haven’t used while working remotely (for example, an office desktop) and you want to update it off campus, it must be turned on in order for Technology Help to find it remotely.

 Helpful Hint: Add a weekly event to your Google calendar reminding you to visit Software Center (Windows) or Self Service (Macs) to check for needed software updates. This will help you maintain your device's security and speed on your schedule so you can keep unexpected required updates to a minimum.

Gather and secure power cords and peripherals to transport them safely to your on-campus workspace.

From a docking station to support your laptop connecting with your monitor, or headphones or a webcam for participating in meetings, consider in advance what you'll need to allow for extended fulfillment time. Follow your department's process for entering purchasing requests.

• HST Purchasing site (for HST)
• Hardware Purchasing Site (for non-HST)

To connect your devices to the University’s network when you are on campus, choose "eduroam" from your network options. To join, you must enter your full University email address and password. Learn more about eduroam.

While keeping it on screen is still best, be sure your computer can connect to your area network printer. Learn how to connect to your office printer:

• Mac device
• Windows device

Learn how to set your office printer as your device’s default printer.

• Windows
• Mac

If you’ve had your calls forwarded to a different number, you can cancel call forwarding when you return to campus.

• If you’ve been using a device from your remote workspace to verify your identity with Duo, when on campus you can reset your default Duo device.
• Have you been using bypass codes to access Duo? These codes expire after one year. Create new bypass codes with these instructions.

If you borrowed equipment for working remotely, and need to return it, contact Technology Help. (If you have the device information contained in the original issuing ticket, it’s helpful to have the computer name from the device ready to share with your technologist.)

Has your University-owned device reached end-of-life? Check your departmental procedures for device lifecycles. If your department or unit is ready to recycle a device, be sure to do so using our recycling service.

You can reset your UMN password yourself if you have Password Reset Questions or an alternate email address set up for your account.

If you haven’t already set these, you must call Technology Help for assistance: 612-301-4357.

Once you have regained access to your account, complete one or both of the options below so you can reset your password on your own in the future:

Set up your alternate email address

1. Log into MyU using your Internet ID and password.
2. Click the My Info tab on the left side of the screen.
3. Click the Edit button for Email.
4. Click Add an Email Address.
5. Choose Home as the email type.
6. Type in an alternate email address that you have access to.
7. Click Save.

Set up your Password Reset Questions

1. Log in to My Account using your Internet ID and password.
2. Click on Set Password Reset Questions on the left side.
3. Fill out the three question and answer combos.
4. Click Submit.

Software: To ensure a smooth transition back to campus, before you return, update your University-owned device to the latest operating system and software. Updated software is more secure, has the latest features and bug fixes, and supports your work and studies best.

NOTE: The amount of time necessary for updates will vary based on such things as the products you use and when the last updates occurred.

Updates: Visit Software Center (Windows) or Self Service (Macs) on your device to find software and updates in advance of your return. If you encounter any issues Technology Help can assist you remotely.* 

• Mac users visit Self Service 
  

• Windows users visit Software Center
  

*If you have a separate on-campus device that you haven’t used while working remotely (for example, an office desktop) and you want to update it from offsite, it must be turned on in order for Tech Support to find it remotely.

Connect to your network office printers 

• HST printer connection Health Sciences
• Printers: Install a Network Printer on a Mac
• Printers: Install a Network Printer on a Windows Computer

Connect to other non-network printers

• Printers: Connect to a USB Printer

Hardware Purchasing for Departments 

• From a docking station to support your laptop connecting with your monitor, or headphones or a webcam for participating in meetings, consider in advance what you'll need to allow for extended fulfillment time. Follow your department's process for entering purchasing requests.
• HST Hardware Purchasing Site (for HST)
• Hardware Purchasing Site (for non-HST)

Connecting to WiFi (eduroam) To connect your devices to the University’s network when you are on campus, choose "eduroam" from your network options. To join, you must enter your full University email address and password. Learn more about eduroam.

When should I use VPN? Users who are connected to the network via an ethernet cable do not need to use VPN to access their applications. However, if connected via WiFi (eduroam), users will still need to use VPN.

Google Drive, Google Shared Drives, and Box Secure Storage are the preferred methods for saving documents. It is strongly recommended that you do not store files related to your work at the University on a personal computer.* 

• Box Secure Storage requires Duo Security two-factor authentication both on and off campus.
  • Note: PHI (Personal Health Information) should never be stored locally on any device. Storage options are file shares (HST) and Box.
• A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection is needed to connect to files.umn.edu. When you’re working from campus and on eduroam WiFi, you do not need to connect via VPN to access files.umn.edu.

*If you have been using a personal computer and saving files to that device’s hard drive, you’ll need to transfer files to Google drive.

Review the University's Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.