WMU > OIT

Information for New Students and Parents     [Map]

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) provides data, video, and voice services for the University community. For questions about any of the services listed below, please call the numbers listed to the right of the service.

How to Access Online Services | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 1

• Bronco NetID: Each student receives a Bronco NetID and password. The Bronco NetID must be activated before it can be used. This is done on the GoWMU login page. If you've forgotten your Bronco NetID, you may call the Help Desk at (269) 387-HELP, Option 1, or visit any main campus computer lab with your WMU ID card.
  
  
• GoWMU: (gowmu.wmich.edu) is where most online services are available. You can get to campus and individual announcements, registration, grades, transcripts, class roster, account and financial aid information, e-mail and much more. You login to GoWMU using your Bronco NetID and password. Never give out your password to anyone, including WMU staff.
  

Getting Connected | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 2

• ResNet: Students in the residence halls may access the Internet by way of ResNet, the residential network system. ResNet is billed, to the student account, at the rate of $80 per semester. More information is found on the ResNet Web site at www.wmich.edu/oit/resnet.
  
  
• Off-Campus: Students not living in residence halls may connect by using a cable modem, DSL, or by using WMU's modem service, more information is found on the "Get Connected" page.
  
  
• Anti-Virus: All Windows-based computers being connected to WMUnet (Western's network) should have WMU Symantec AntiVirus installed (provided by WMU free of charge) and should be current with Microsoft Windows® Updates. For students residing in WMU residence halls, this will be taken care of automatically by use of software that validates each computer as it is connected to ResNet (Residence Hall Network).
  
  
• Help: A brochure will be available to assist with the connection process. It will be handed out in the residence halls during move-in and also available from the Help Desk, located on the second floor of the UCC.

E-mail | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 1

• E-mail Account: All WMU students have an e-mail account that can be accessed through GoWMU or by going directly to webmail.wmich.edu and using the Bronco NetID and password to login.
  
  
• E-mail Address: A WMU e-mail address is created when the Bronco NetID is created. This e-mail address is in the format of firstname.middle-initial.lastname@wmich.edu. It is the e-mail address that all official mailings from WMU will be sent, so be sure to check it often. Non-wmich.edu addresses for WMU correspondence should not be used since others may have marked wmich.edu messages as spam and their ISP may be blocking e-mails sent by WMU and important correspondence may not be received. Please see WMU E-mail Address Use and Rules for more information.

Cable and Phone | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 4

• Residence Halls: Basic cable and telephone service (unlimited campus and local calls) is provided at no charge. See the cable and phone pages for more information.
  

Computers | Sales: (269) 387-5460; Repair: (269) 387-HELP, Option 2

• Computer Sales: Computer hardware and software may be purchased with an educational discount on campus at TotalTECH, WMU's campus computer store, located in the WMU Bookstore in the Bernhard Center. For more information, see their Web site. See also the Computer Purchase FAQ page.
  
  
• Computer Repair: The OIT computer repair shop provides warranty and non-warranty repair for Apple, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, and Hewlett Packard. Computer Repair is located at the NW end of the University Computing Center (towards the sun dial). For more information regarding repair services, contact them at (269) 387-HELP, Option 2, or visit the computer repair Web site.
  
  
• Computer Labs: The main computer labs on campus are located in the Bernhard Center and the University Computing Center. Additional labs are operated by the academic colleges and departments and often have specialized software for specific disciplines. A Bronco ID card is required to use all computing facilities. More information about WMU labs may be found on the labs Web site.
  
  
• Printing: Printing is available in all computer labs on campus, with a 500 pages per semester quota. Students may check My Lab Printing Account via the "My Self-Service" channel in GoWMU. This link will show what you've printed, what your printing quota is, and how much you have left to use. If you've exceeded your 500 pages per semester quota, you will see how much will be billed to your student account.

Acceptable Use of Computing Resources | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 1

• Policies:Students are required to follow the University's policy on acceptable use of computing resources. Violation of the policy can result in action through the student judiciary and can lead to having online access revoked. For more information see WMU Rules for Use of Computing Resources.

• File Sharing : Some forms of file sharing—for example, illegally downloading and sharing MP3 files of popular music—violate copyright. It is important for all users of the University's systems to understand their responsibilities and the University's responsibilities regarding copyright. See File Sharing at www.wmich.edu/students/filesharing.html for more information.

• P2P File Sharing Education: As of January, 2009, OIT began a P2P file sharing education program. This involves e-mail notifications being sent when the system sees file sharing occurring. More information is found on the P2P File Sharing Education site.

Parent Access to Information | gowmu.wmich.edu

• Granting Access: Students may give parents, spouses, or other designated guests authorized user access to view certain records, academic and financial aid information, including: Enrollment Verification, Grades, Schedule of Classes, Unofficial Transcript, and Financial Aid Requirements, Awards, and Payment Schedule. For more information, please visit "Setting up an Authorized User" on the GoWMU login page.

Wireless | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 1

• Location: Wireless is available throughout campus, both inside of all buildings and all around the grounds. Wireless, though available in the public areas of residence halls, is not available in individual residence hall rooms.

Getting Help | (269) 387-HELP (4357), Option 1

• Help Desk: OIT provides a computing Help Desk that is available for both walk-in and phone-in services. They are located on the second floor of the University Computing Center and can be reached via e-mail to helpdesk@wmich.edu, by phone to (269) 387-HELP (4357) or by the Help Desk Web site. There is also an extensive amount of online self-help available at their BroncoTech site.
  
  
• Mobile Help Desk: For students in residence halls, a Mobile Help Desk visits residence halls at scheduled times throughout the school year. See the Mobile Help Desk schedule.
  
  
• Computer Repair: The OIT computer repair unit provides warranty and non-warranty repair for Apple, and Dell, and is located at the NW end of the University Computing Center (towards the sun dial). For more information regarding repair services, contact computer Repair at 387-HELP, Option 2.