Back-to-school Technology Reminders
As faculty, staff and students return to campus, it's important that your computing is set-up correctly, secure and ready for the start of semester! Please refer to the following back-to-school technology checklist and security best practices.
Set up your computer or laptop
Need help setting up your equipment? Contact the Technology Help Desk (help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357) to schedule time with a technology support specialist.
- All university-owned or issued equipment including laptop, desktop machines, and peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, and printer should be returned to campus. Don't forget to replace batteries in your keyboard and/or mouse!
- Connect to the campus WiFi network - select 'eduroam' from the list of available wireless networks and be sure to enter 'username@brandeis.edu' (your full email address) as your username.
- Be sure to run any computer updates to ensure that your computer's operating system and software is up-to-date. Note: this may take some time if you have delayed in running updates while working remotely.
- Make sure your computer setup is working correctly including sending a print test page to your department/local printer.
Run a computer health check
- Apply updates: If prompted, apply update(s) to keep your system secure and up-to-date. Here's a quick checklist:
- Operating system patches or security updates; this includes Microsoft Office (ensures your license is activated and up-to-date)
- PC users: off-campus users must connect to Pulse Secure VPN before applying updates
- Run any computer updates at the end of the day to minimize disruption to your work.
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Restart: In order to ensure updates are applied and to maintain the overall health of your machine, it is strongly recommended that you restart your machine at least once a week.
Secure your computing environment
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Please remember that all university-related work should be stored on Google Drive or Box. If you have been using a personal computer while working remotely, please transfer your files or folders to Google Drive or Box and remove from your personal machine.
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If you will be working remotely a day or two a week, check out the helpful resources for staying secure at home.
Review available collaboration and communication tools
Video Conferencing
While Zoom remains the preferred video conferencing platform available to the community, Google Meet is a great backup or alternative for easily hosting meetings. Google Meet is available to the community as part of the Brandeis suite of Google apps. Google Meet provides similar interactive features such as screen sharing, chat, and live automatic transcripts. You can access Google Meet from the Google Apps menu or by visiting meet.google.com.
Please remember to update your Zoom desktop app to access all the latest features. Zoom will automatically prompt an update if the app has not been updated in 9 months. Learn how to update your Zoom app.
Google Apps
All Brandeis faculty, staff and students have access to the entire Google Apps suite to help you manage day-to-day projects including emailing setting up meetings, online storage and document collaboration.
Learn more about classroom technology
There are hundreds of classrooms and learning spaces across campus. Media Technology Services (MTS) is available to help faculty and instructor with the different spaces and technology aavailable.
- Learn more about Hybrid Flexible or HyFlex classrooms - register to attend an upcoming demonstration or see the complete list of HyFlex classrooms
- Request automated lecture capture
- Need help? Contact mts@brandeis.edu to get assistance with classroom technology
Enable call forwarding for your Brandeis phone
You can forward your Brandeis office phone to another number. It simply forwards all calls to your chosen number, whether that be a cell or landline. Calls will appear to be coming from "Brandeis University" or however you have our main number is entered into your cell phone.
To enable forwarding from your office phone, refer to the following instructions:
To forward all incoming calls to another number
- Press the button under 'Forward all'. You will hear a confirmation beep. (Note: depending on your phone, ou may see 'CFwdALL'.)
- Enter the number you would like to forward all your calls. Include 8 + 1 + ten digit phone number (example: 8 1 781 1234).
- You will hear a confirmation beep and the icon next to your line will change to indicate calls are forwarded.
To forward all incoming calls to voicemail
- Press the 'Forward all' softkey. You will hear a confirmation beep. (Note: some phones will have 'CFwdALL' softkey.)
- Enter 6-2222.
- You will hear a confirmation beep and the phone display is updated to show that calls will be forwarded.
To enable call forwarding from off campus, send an email to voice@brandeis.edu with the following information:
- Your Brandeis username and office phone number (full 10-digits).
- The 10-digit number to which you would like to forward all your Brandeis calls.
To disable forwarding from off campus, send an email to voice@brandeis.edu with your Brandeis username and office phone number.
Support
Remember, we're here to help! If you have additional questions, please contact the Technology Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357.