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Quick Start Guide

Faculty and Staff Quick Start Guide

Campus Identity & Access

An IdentiKey consists of an IdentiKey username and password. Your IdentiKey grants access to most campus IT services, including:

  • MyCUinfo
  • Email
  • OIT Computer Labs
  • Campus Network
  • Canvas
  • VPN

Your CU Boulder online identity preferences are managed through the web-based service, IdentiKey Manager.

Teaching and Learning

OIT offers a variety of teaching tools for collaboration, video conferencing, interactive presentations and much more. The Academic Technology Initiatives Team offers assistance with these campus technologies through consulting and facilitating communities of best practice. Academic Technology Consultants offer scheduled and on-demand trainings, as well as department or one-on-one help with Canvas, PlayPosit, Zoom and more!

Additionally, innovative classroom and lab technologies are available in over 100 technology classrooms across campus. Visit Teaching and Learning Spaces for more information.

Research Computing

The research computing group provides support and training for computational needs beyond your desktop. Services for researchers include large-scale computing, storage of research data, high-speed networking, consulting and training, and partnering on grant proposals. To learn more about these services contact the group via rc-oithelp@colorado.edu or through their contact form on Research Computing's Contact Us page.

Messaging and Collaboration

CU Boulder faculty and staff have access to the Microsoft Office 365 suite of solutions that includes Exchange Online as the email and calendaring environment, as well as collaborative office applications such as Office Web Apps, Office desktop applications, SharePoint, Teams and Microsoft Stream.

Additionally, faculty receive access to many Google applications including Drive (Docs), Sites, Chat, Groups, Analytics, and more in order to collaborate effectively in the classroom. More information can be found on the Google service page.

Canvas

Canvas is CU Boulder’s online learning environment, providing an additional space for instruction, communication, and grading. Instructors and students can also utilize integrations to seamlessly access external applications within Canvas. Create a Canvas course today to get started.

Network Connectivity

CU Boulder provides wired, wireless and VPN connections for all campus affiliates. Whether in class, in residence halls, on the Buff Bus, or working off-campus, stay connected to the CU Boulder network and access all campus resources. Visit the Networking and Internet Services page for more information.

Software and Hardware

Our campus provides free and reduced-cost software to faculty, staff and students. Software offerings range from Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat, to antivirus and iClicker, and are all listed in OIT's Software Catalog. Additionally, you have access to Microsoft Office applications at no charge. OIT also offers computer purchase recommendations and software upgrade recommendations.

Help and Support

IT assistance is available daily by contacting the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 or oithelp@colorado.edu.

Free walk-in computer and application support is available in the Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) room E276.

Student Quick Start Guide

Campus Identity & Access

An IdentiKey consists of an IdentiKey username and password. Your IdentiKey grants access to most campus IT services, including:

  • Buff Portal
  • Email
  • OIT Computing Labs
  • Campus Network
  • Canvas
  • VPN

Your CU Boulder online identity preferences are managed through the web-based service, IdentiKey Manager.

Network Connectivity

CU Boulder provides wired, wireless, and VPN connections for all campus affiliates. Whether in class, in residence halls, on the Buff Bus, or working off-campus, stay connected to the CU Boulder network and access all campus resources. Visit the Networking and Internet Services page for more information.

Messaging and Collaboration

CU Boulder students admitted to CU Boulder after January 20, 2023 will use Microsoft Exchange Online for their colorado.edu email. Student have access to the full Microsoft 365 suite of services which includes Exchange Online, Office Online, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint and free Office 365 Apps software applications. 

OIT also offers Google collaboration tools to the campus. Students receive many applications including Docs, Drive, Sites, Analytics, and more in order to collaborate effectively in the classroom. More information can be found on the Google Workspace service page.

Software and Hardware

Most of the software you will need as a student is available for free or at a reduced cost. Software offerings range from Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD, to MATLAB and SAS, and are all listed in OIT's Software Catalog. Additionally, students have access to Microsoft Office applications at no charge. OIT also offers computer purchase recommendations and a student shopping list so you can come prepared with the appropriate technology.

Printing

Students have access to wepa cloud printing kiosks which allow users to print from campus labs, personal computers, mobile devices and cloud storage. Visit the Student Printing Services page for more information.

Help and Support

IT assistance available daily by contacting the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 or oithelp@colorado.edu.

Free walk-in computer and application support is available in the Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) room E276.

Getting Started with Campus Technology

Learn the basics of campus technology with OIT's Quick Start Guide. Choose the student or faculty guide, depending on your affiliation.

Student GuideFaculty/Staff Guide
Campus Technology Student Quick Start GuideCampus Technology Faculty Quick Start Guide