IT for New Students

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IT for Your NGU Journey

What should I bring? Any recent PC or Mac will do—make sure it’s less than two years old. You’ll also want a suite of office software. Check with your advisor for major-specific software. Security software is a definite yes.

What does NGU provide? Wireless in all academic buildings and residence halls. A Crusader ID for NGU email, Blackboard, computer labs, campus networks, printers, and MyNGU student portal. And, of course, an IT Help Desk.

Admitted to NGU? Once you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll be assigned your Crusader ID and can jump into the student portal, MyNGU. Time for a test drive!

Test Drive MyNGU

Your Crusader ID

We set up your Crusader ID as soon as you make your student status official. (Pay your deposit or register for classes.) This ID gets you into your email, Blackboard, and student portal (MyNGU). It lets you print on campus and login to computer lab machines.

First-Time NGU Students


Your Crusader ID is a combination of your last name and the last four digits of your Student ID number (Ex. wayne1234).

If your last name exceeds 11 letters, it will be shortened so your Crusader ID is no longer than 15 characters.

If your last name contains punctuation or special characters, they are taken out in your Crusader ID.

Returning NGU Students


If your account was created before January 19, 2013, your username is a combination of your last name and the last three digits of your student ID number (Ex. wayne123).

If you are returning to North Greenville after a few years, and you did not get an email telling you that an account was created for you, call the help desk at 864.977.7272 so they can help you recover your email credentials.

Your First Crusader ID Password

 

* For accounts created on or after December 29th, 2021:
Your initial password combines your name and your birthdate.

Your password is:

  • The first two letters of your last name, first initial capitalized
  • The first two letters of your first name, first initial capitalized
  • Your birthdate in mm/dd/yyyy format, with backslashes

For example, John Smith, born on February 2, 2002, has the following password: SmJo02/02/2002.

 

*For accounts created on or before December 28th, 2021:

Your password uses your last name and your Social Security number (SSN).

Your password is:

  • The first three letters of your last name, first letter capitalized, +
  • The last five digits of your SSN

For example, John Smith with an SSN of 123-45-6789 has the following password: Smi56789

 

Password Requirements


If you would like to change your password, visit sos.ngu.edu and answer three security questions. After this, you can set a password that meets the following requirements:

  • 12 characters or longer
  • 1 capital letter
  • 1 lowercase letter
  • 1 number or special character

It cannot contain your name, and you cannot use one of your previous passwords.


Alternatively, you can call the NGU IT Services Help Desk and reset your password over the phone by calling 864.977.7272.

Step 1: Register at Password Manager


You must register at password.ngu.edu before you can use the password reset manager. To register with the site, enter your Crusader ID and password, and then choose five security questions to answer. Make sure you choose questions and answers that you will remember. After selecting these questions, you will be enrolled in the password manager.

Step 2: Reset Your Password


If you have problems logging into your email, student portal, or your account on a campus computer, use the Self-Service Password Reset site to reset your password. You will need to:

  • Know your current credentials
  • Answer 3 security questions
  • Meet the password requirements with your new password (see section above).
  • Also, if you reset your password, the password for email and Student Portal will be changed. Your Blackboard password will not be changed. If you would like to change your Blackboard password, you will have to go to the Blackboard website.
  • After resetting or changing your password, you must wait two days before changing it again. If you run into any problems, call the Helpdesk at 864.977.7272.

IT Essentials for New Students

  • Office Software

    For most students, we recommend using Microsoft Office, the business world’s standard.

    As an alternative, Apache OpenOffice is the free open-source productivity suite. OpenOffice is compatible with most Office documents and many other file types. Like Office, it’s a collection of powerful tools, but you don’t have to install all its modules. The latest version of OpenOffice supports Windows 8 and greater.

  • Security

    Security Requirements

    You must keep your computer secure. Minimally, this must include:

    • Antivirus subscription
    • Weekly installation of Windows or Apple updates
    • Smart and safe habits (your habits!): Do not open email attachments from an unknown sender. Never give your Crusader ID or password to anyone via email. Delete such emails without replying.

    Recommended Security Software

    • Microsoft Security Essentials: It’s free and can be downloaded to your computer from this link.
    • Malwarebytes: It’s free, too, and it scans your computer for any type of malware including viruses, worms, Trojans, and many other types of malware. Malwarebytes will then remove the malware from your computer.

    For maximum protection of your computer, Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes can both be used. 

    Our IT Security Practices

    We run an encrypted wireless network. Also, NGU blocks Internet sites that are offensive, malicious, bandwidth intensive, illegal, or unethical. 

  • Wireless

    NGU provides high-speed Internet services to support the mission and purposes of the university.

    We support wireless protocols b, g, and n. Wireless is available in all academic buildings and residence halls. Wireless is also available in some outside areas.

    Student Network: Crusader Connect

    Crusader Connect is the wireless SSID designated for student use. It is an encrypted connection, which is an important safeguard when you access sites that require authentication. The password is “crusader” (all lower case). The password is no secret; we want everyone to know it. The password is not the security; it is the method for implementing encryption.

    For Android, Windows, and OSX users, simply connect to the new SSID and enter the password when prompted.

  • Internet Acceptable Use Policy

    Web site filtering is performed to block Internet sites that are offensive, malicious, bandwidth intensive, illegal or unethical. Web sites in categories that will be blocked include but are not limited to the following: adult content, gambling, hacking, audio/video streaming, pornography, tastelessness, sexuality, and violence.

    • It is a violation of the Internet Acceptable Use Policy for any student to bypass or attempt to bypass the Web content filtering controls used on the NGU network. 
    • If a particular website is blocked and a student needs access to this site for approved academic purposes, a request to unblock the site must be sent to the ITS Help desk by the student’s professor.  Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • The Director of ITS will review the request and ultimate approval to unblock a site will come from the Vice President for Academics.

    Gaming

    Gaming is restricted to evening and weekend hours only. Students are advised to use wired connections to gain maximum performance and preserve wireless bandwidth for other purposes. Students must not attempt to bypass content filtering or band restrictions for the purpose of playing games that violate the University’s content policy or supported hours. 

  • Printing

    Student Printer Locations

    • Hester Memorial Library (upper and lower levels)
    • Foster Commons
    • Brissie Language Lab
    • Crain 229

    These printers are automatically added to your profile Printers folder at login. There is no need to add printers to the Printers folder.

    There are also two coin-operated copy machines on each level of the library building.

    Cost

    5 cents/page (accounted for through your Crusader ID).

    • Print first, fund later: New students start with a 30-page credit ($1.50 credit). After that, you must fund your account using Print Manager with an ATM or Credit Card ($10 minimum). Because you’re new, you must print at least one page before you can add funds.
    • Rollover, Yes; Refund, No: Credit balances will carry over from semester to semester. However, credit balances will not be refunded when you graduate or withdraw.
    • Check Your Balance: Each time a document is printed, a message appears from the System Tray (systray) in bottom right of the screen showing the remaining balance in your account. You can click on the icon in the systray to see your remaining balance.
  • Computer Labs

    Use your Crusader ID and password to log into university computers. Computers are available in the Hester Memorial Library and computer labs in Foster (PC), Crain (PC), Runion (Mac), and Tingle (Mac). There are also computers in the Writing Center and Language Laboratory in Brissie.

    Lab hours

    • Hester Memorial Library: See Library Hours
    • Foster: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun. 1 p.m.-12 a.m.
    • Crain: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
    • Tingle: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
    • Runion: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
    • Language Lab: See schedule in Brissie 4

    Heads Up for Daytime Use: Computer labs are sometimes used as classrooms during the day. You will have to find times to use the computer labs when they are not being used for classes. The library computers are available whenever the library is open. 

Blackboard is an online course management system. Professors may use Blackboard exclusively in online classes or supplement traditional class assignments.

  • Crusader ID to log in: After your initial login, your Blackboard password can be changed independently from your email account.
  • Available Day 1 of classes—unless you registered late. (If your class is not showing in Blackboard, contact your teacher to make sure he or she has made the class available to all students before you contact the help desk.)

For technical assistance, please contact the Help Desk.

Training and Tutorials are also available in PowerPoint format. These tutorials walk you through the basics needed for most courses. Questions about classes and assignments should be directed to your professor.

Blackboard Tutorial

Student Portal 

MyNGU is like that knapsack that holds everything. Check the student portal for your chapel seating assignment and your mailbox number. Check your schedule and your grades. Hey, what’s in that pocket?

Your Schedule

Use the student portal to view and print your class schedule. (Always check the online schedule on the first day of the term to verify time and location. You can find the online schedule on the portal homepage.)

Your Account

North Greenville University tells you what you owe and allows you to make online payments through the student portal. Check a current statement of your account: 

  1. Log in to MyNGU.
  2. Select the student tab.
  3. Select student accounts.
  4. Select my account balance.

You can print a statement (PDF format) as well. Make a payment or set up a payment plan.

Where’s My Financial Aid?

In the financial aid portal: MyFinAid. That’s the best place to view your financial aid information and interact with the NGU Financial Aid office.

You must “accept” or “decline” your financial aid award package in MyFinAid. You can also change loan amounts through this portal and view/obtain missing documents.

Find more financial aid information.

Your Grades

The My Grades page on MyNGU shows mid-term and final grades for each term. Grades will not be mailed.  

All students are required to evaluate every course before taking their exams at the end of each semester. You will find the course evaluations under Students, Advising and Registration, My Grade Report. Click Select Term.

Your Transcript

View and print your transcript at any time. Just be aware, these transcripts are unofficial. When you need official proof of your academic work for graduate school, maybe, contact the  Office of Academic Records.

Need Help?

The ITS Help Desk can help you do virus removal, software installs, and minor repairs.  

  • Use the web form to start a support ticket.
  • Send us an email from your Crusader email.  

During weekdays (Fridays until noon), you can also: 

  • Call the Help Desk at 864.977.7272
  • Visit the IT Service Building at the corner of Foster Circle and Boulevard Avenue 

Notes: 

  • Appointments start the second Monday after the semester starts. 
  • Sorry, we can’t help with mobile devices at this time. 
  • If it’s after hours and you live on campus, let your Resident Assistant know. 
© North Greenville University. All Rights Reserved. | Accessibility Statement

North Greenville University (NGU) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.