Information for Students – Division of Information Technology | University of South Carolina

New students have a lot to familiarize themselves with upon entering the Gamecock
family. The Division of IT wants to make the process as easy as possible. The iist
below is a helpful guide for arriving on campus and your days ahead.

If you have additional questions, contact the IT Service Desk at 803-777-1800.  We
are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. if you need in-person, hands-on IT support,
visit the Carolina Tech Zone, located beside the iHub Apple Store at the bottom of
the Byrnes Building (right across from the Horseshoe).

Network Username and Other IDs

• You are assigned a Network Username when you are admitted to the university. You will use your Network Username to log
  in to the wired and wireless networks, university email, and other university systems.
  Before using your Network Username, you will need to set a password in myaccount.sc.edu. For security purposes, the password expires every six months. You will receive an
  email from the Division of IT Service Desk when the password is close to expiring.
  No one at the university will ask for your password. Do not respond to any emails requesting your Network Username and password.
• Your VIP ID is an eight-digit number that is assigned to you when you apply for admission to
  the university or for financial aid. It is used to log in to Self Service Carolina.
  Your VIP ID is included on your acceptance letter, given to you if you have applied
  for financial aid, and available in myaccount.sc.edu.
• The USC ID is a unique combination of letters and numbers used by faculty and staff to securely
  manage your student information and records. You may be asked to provide your USC
  ID to verify your identity. The USC ID, which is not used to log in to any system,
  is printed on the back of your CarolinaCard and available in myaccount.sc.edu.
• Visit to myaccount.sc.edu to select your preferred first name and your personal pronouns. Find more information
  here. 

Email

• You were provided a student email address when you were admitted to the university.
  All student email addresses will consist of your Network Username, followed by @email.sc.edu.
• To access your email, visit portal.office.com from any browser. 
• If you need to change your password, visit myaccount.sc.edu.
• To install the Outlook app on your mobile device, see the instructions in our Knowledge
  Base by clicking here. 
• Remember – the university will never as you for your password via email. If you receive a request to provide your password
  via email, forward the message to [email protected] immediately. Do not click any links in the message. 

IT Security

• Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is required to access systems on the university network that store Personal
  Identifiable Information (PII). You will need to take an extra step to confirm your
  identity when you log in to university systems such as my.sc.edu. The university uses
  Duo Security to provide MFA services. The easiest way to use MFA is to download the
  free Duo Security app on your smartphone.
• Antivirus software is required for all computers connected to the university’s wired or wireless network. 
• Be careful of phishing scams. See more information on how to protect yourself here.
• Helpful videos and tips on security and privacy are available on our Security website.

Computer Requirements and Software

• A computer is highly recommended, but not required. 
• The Division of Information Technology supports Macs, Windows, and Linux. If you bring
  it to campus, we can support it. However, some academic colleges/majors require specific
  computers. Please check with your advisor to make sure you have the correct device. 
• Apple and Dell offer student discounts on computer purchases.
• To get education pricing at Apple, take your CarolinaCard with you to any Apple Store
  or go to the Apple Education Store online.
• When purchasing a computer from Dell, go to the university’s membership page at Dell.
• Microsoft Office 365 is available for free for as long as you are a student at the university. It includes the latest versions
  of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and more for both Mac and Windows. You
  can install Office 365 on up to five computers and five mobile devices. Also included is OneDrive, an online
  file service that provides you with 50GB of free cloud storage to store your documents
  and access them from any device, anywhere. More information and download instructions
  are available in the Knowledge Base.
• All computers that connect to a university network must have current, up-to-date antivirus
  software. Antivirus software is included with Microsoft Windows; however, it is not
  included on Macs. If your computer does not have antivirus software, the Carolina Tech Zone can assist you.

Connect to University Networks

Blackboard

• Blackboard is our online course management system. Your instructors will tell you if and how
  they use Blackboard. You log in at blackboard.sc.edu with your Network Username and password. 

IT Support

• The Knowledge Base allows you to complete IT tasks independently without having to contact the Service
  Desk. Included are step-by-step instructions to address many common IT requests such
  as password resets.
• The Self-Service Portal allows you to easily request technology assistance, report an issue, request services,
  and access articles in the Knowledge Base.
• The Service Desk provides technology support via telephone and chat. Telephone support is available
  Monday-Friday at 803-777-1800. Chat support is available Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.
  until 4:30 p.m. from the Self-Service Portal.
• Follow the Division on social media to get up-to-date information on issues affecting
  technology on campus. We are available on Facebook and Twitter. 

Student Laptop Loaner Program

• The Student

  Laptop Loaner

  Program serves to assist students with obtaining a laptop for academic purposes and

  is

  intended

  to assist

  students who are unable to purchase a laptop of their own. The laptops are loaned
  on a per semester basis and require in-person loan renewal at the Carolina Tech Zone. 
  The laptop must be returned to

   

  at the end of the loan period

  or a fine will be assessed.  Visit the Carolina Tech Zone for more information.

Leave it at Home

• Wireless printers are not allowed on the campus network. If you have a wireless printer, the wireless
  feature must be turned off while the printer is on campus. You can connect to the printer via
  USB or Bluetooth.
• Routers are not allowed on the campus network. If you need additional network connections,
  you can use a 10/100 ethernet switch.