IT for Students

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IT Services & Resources

Software provided for you! Students will be given Office 365 Office Pro Plus licensing and Office 365 email access as a part of our partnership/licensing agreements with Microsoft.

Each Student will receive five licenses to use for installations on personal devices, including mobile platforms like Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android.

What computer should I use? 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 internet in all academic buildings and residence halls. An ID for NGU email, Blackboard, computer labs, campus networks, printers, and MyNGU student portal. And, of course, an IT Help Desk.

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

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

To install Office 365 on your laptop or desktop, sign in to your NGU email. Click on the Office 365 button. You can download mobile apps from your app store (many are free).

Explore Office 365

Accounts

Your First 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 January 2, 2003, has the following password: SmJo01/02/2003.

*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.

Password Issues

Trouble getting into your accounts? Use the Single Sign-On Portal to reset your password.

You must register before you can reset your password online. To register with the site, enter your username and password, and then choose three security questions to answer. Make sure you choose questions and answers that you will remember. After choosing these questions, you will be able to reset your password online.

Password Reset

When resetting your password, you must answer three of your security questions. The site will allow you to choose your password based on its requirements. If you know your current credentials, you will be able to change your password.

Also, know that if you reset your password, your Financial Aid password will not change. If you need to change your Financial Aid password, contact NGU Central.

Communicating via Email

It is very important to check your email account regularly. North Greenville uses email for important communications. Professors, faculty, and staff may email you. And when they message through Blackboard, the content also goes to your email account.

Pro tip: Empty your deleted messages box every few weeks so your mailbox does not get too full. If your mailbox is full, you can’t receive emails.

Email on iPhone

To set up your email on your Apple iPhone, follow these steps.

Graduates: If you would like to keep your account after graduation, please provide IT Services with an alternate e-mail address. We will forward your mail to you, although you will no longer be able to log in to your inbox.

Email Acceptable Use Policy

Email services are provided by NGU and should be used to support the mission and purposes of the University.

  • Email services may be used for incidental personal purposes provided such use does not:
    • Directly or indirectly interfere with the operations or email services of the University.
    • Burden the University with noticeable incremental cost.
    • Interfere with the email user’s employment or other obligations to the University.
  • Students are not permitted to send email solicitations and must not forward chain letters to any person, on or off campus, except to forward a message to IT Services.
  • Only authorized employees may send broadcast email messages. Unauthorized users are specifically prohibited from using the University’s address book to harvest email addresses for bulk email purposes. Requests to send broadcast email messages may be submitted to Student Services.
  • Students should be aware of the following:
    • Email is less private than users may anticipate.
    • Deleted email may persist on backup facilities and thus be subject to disclosure under state and federal law.
    • Email stored on University equipment, whether or not created on University equipment, constitutes a University record subject to disclosure.
    • The University cannot protect users from receiving all emails they may find offensive.
    • Students are strongly encouraged to use the same personal and professional courtesies and considerations in email as they would in other forms of communication.

Student Portal

The Student Portal provides access to your information, course schedules, degree audit, transcripts, billing, financial aid, online documents, course content, grades, and more. Use your ID and password to log in.

Portal Services

Transcripts

View and print your transcript at any time through the portal. 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.

Schedules

You can use the student portal to view and print your class schedule. Always check the online schedule the first day of the term to verify time and location. You can access this on the portal home page.

Student Account Statements

North Greenville University uses the Student Portal for statement of account and online payments. On the student portal, log in to your account at the top of the webpage using the log in credentials. Select the student tab, then student accounts and my account balance. You can print a statement in pdf format as well. You will also be able to make a payment or choose a payment plan.

North Greenville University students are be required to “accept” or “decline” their financial aid award package. Students will use MyFinAid Portal to view their financial aid information and interact with the NGU Financial Aid Office. Students can change loan amounts through this portal and view/obtain missing documents. For more information, visit Financial Aid and click “Applying for Financial Aid” tab.

Grades

The My Grades page 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.

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 NGU 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. 

First-Time NGU Students

We set up your 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.

Your 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 ID is no longer than 15 characters.

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

ITS Help Desk

The ITS Help Desk provides computing device services to students to do virus removal, software installs, and minor repairs. You can enlist our services in several ways:

  • Students can begin scheduling appointments at the Help Desk starting the second Monday after the semester begins* through the week prior to exam week. Appointments are made on a first-come first-serve basis. Service appointments are offered Monday through Thursday. We do not service personal devices on Friday.
    • Use the webform at helpdesk.ngu.edu.
    • Send an email to helpdesk@ngu.edu using your NGU email address.
    • Call the Help Desk at 864.977.7272 during business hours.
    • Visit the IT Service Building at 103 Wingo Street – located at the corner of Foster Circle and Boulevard Avenue.

If you have an emergency before the second Monday of the semester, contact the Help Desk. We will try to help as time is available. We cannot provide support or guarantee service for mobile devices at this time.

*If you have any problems after our hours of operation, notify the Resident Assistant in your dorm.

Hours of Operation
Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Other IT Needs

  • Wireless Internet

    Wireless Internet Access

    TrailblazerConnect is the wireless SSID designated for student use. Connect is an encrypted connection which is an important security safeguard when wireless is used for access to sites that require authentication. The password is “trailblazer” (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. If you need assistance in connecting to Connect, contact the Help Desk at 864.977.7272.

    Internet Acceptable Use Policies

    High-speed Internet services are provided by NGU and should be used to support the mission and purposes of the University.

    • Web site filtering is performed to block Internet sites that are offensive, malicious, bandwidth-intensive, illegal, or unethical. Websites 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 as part of their 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 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.
  • Malware Protection

    Antivirus Protection

    We recommend that students maintain a subscription with an antivirus provider to be protected. Review Lifehacker to better understand how a virus can affect your computer. If you do not already have malware protection software, click on one of the following links to download free software:

    • Microsoft Security Essentials – If you follow this link, you will be led to the Microsoft Security Essentials website. Microsoft Security Essentials will protect your computer from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Microsoft Security will always be running in the background of your computer, so if a virus presents itself on your computer, Microsoft Security will prevent anything from happening to your computer. Microsoft Security Essentials is free and can be downloaded to your computer from the link above.
    • Malwarebytes – This link will lead you to the Malwarebytes website. Malwarebytes will scan 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. This service is also available for free by following the link above.

    Note: Malwarebytes is just a program that you can use to scan your computer for any malware. It is necessary for you to have some kind of security system that will run on your computer at all times such as Microsoft Security Essentials or another malware protection software. For maximum protection of your computer, Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes can both be used.

    To help prevent your computer from getting malware, do not open e-mail attachments from an unknown sender. This could compromise your computer as well as your friends’ computers.

    Also, never give your ID or password to anyone via email. No one at North Greenville should ever ask for this information via email. If you receive an e-mail asking you to reply with this information, delete the e-mail without replying. It is also important that you install Windows or Apple updates on your computer weekly. This will keep your computer up to date and help keep it from slowing down.

  • Student Printing

    Printing

    Student printers are located in Hester Memorial Library (upper and lower levels), Foster Commons, Brissie Language Lab, and 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. There is a $.05 charge for each page printed, and this accounting is done via the student ID. New students are granted a $1.50 credit (30 pages) in their first term; thereafter, the student must fund their printer account using Print Manager with an ATM or Credit Card ($10 minimum).

    Because you are a new student, you must print at least one page before you can add funds to your printing account. Unused credit will not be refunded when you graduate or withdraw.

    Printing FAQs

    How do I know how many copies I have left?
    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.

    What if I don’t use all the money in my account before the semester ends?
    Credit balances will carry over from semester to semester. However, credit balances will not be refunded when you graduate or withdraw.

  • Computer Labs

    Information About Computer Labs

    Use your 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. 7a.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

    *Note: These are the schedules for the computer labs. However, 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 for use whenever the library is open.

  • Blackboard

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

    • 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.

  • Financial Aid Portal

    See here to access 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.

© 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.