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:

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

Teaching and Learning

OIT provides a wide range of technologies to support teaching and learning across all instructional modalities. Supported platforms include Canvas, Zoom, iClickers, Turnitin, PlayPosit and more. OIT also maintains and supports approximately 400 technology-equipped classrooms and computing labs. These tools help facilitate collaboration, enhance student engagement, and streamline course delivery and management.

Instructors can get help with the use of these campus technologies through in-classroom support, consulting and training.

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 (link sends email)rc-oithelp@colorado.edu or their contact form on Research Computing's Contact Us page.

Messaging and Collaboration

CU Boulder faculty and staff have access to the Microsoft 365 suite of solutions, which includes Microsoft Outlook as the email and calendaring environment, as well as Microsoft Online, desktop and mobile apps.

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 use 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 a residence hall, 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 365 apps at no charge. OIT also offers computer purchase recommendations and software upgrade recommendations.

Help and Support

IT assistance is available daily from the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 or (link sends email)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:

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

Network Connectivity

CU Boulder provides wired, wireless and VPN connections for all campus affiliates. Whether in class, in a residence hall, 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 uses Microsoft Outlook for colorado.edu email. Students have access to the full Microsoft 365 suite of services, which includes Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint and Microsoft 365 desktop apps.

OIT also offers Google collaboration tools to the campus, including Docs, Drive, Sheets and Sites. Learn more 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 365 desktop and mobile apps 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 is available daily from the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 or (link sends email)oithelp@colorado.edu.

Buff Techs 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.