Getting Started: Students
As a new student at UMass Dartmouth, you'll want to use email, Internet, print and digital library services as soon as possible. UMass Dartmouth’s Computing and Information Technology Services (CITS) provides access to these essential resources and help when you need it.
This page points you in the right direction for the following IT services:
- COIN: Corsairs Online INformation
- Computer purchases
- Internet connection
- Wireless network
- Computer labs
- Downloads for security: anti-virus, firewall, spyware
- myCourses: online courses
- Telephone services for residential students
Steps to Getting Connected
1. Get Your UMassD Logon/Email Username and Password
All entering students receive post card notification of the URL (web site address) for the UMassD Logon/Email activation page: www.umassd.edu/cits/newstudents.
Email is an official means of communication at UMass Dartmouth, so start checking your email as soon as possible.
Students should also familiarize themselves with the Responsible/Acceptable Use of Computing Services and Email Communications policies.
If you have questions about the UMassD Logon account, contact CITS Access Management at cit_am@umassd.edu or call 508-999-8528. To access your UMass Dartmouth email and for more information, visit: https://email.umassd.edu/. To change your password and for more information about email services, visit the university's email FAQs.
Remember: your UMassD Logon also provides access to a number of IT services beyond email.
2. Sign in to your COIN account
All students are required to sign into COIN (Corsairs Online INformation), which is also an official means of university communication. COIN gives you access to student information, such as courses, grades, and class schedules (Note: COIN is the place to get your class schedule, but finalized schedules for new students will not be available until after orientation).
You will use your 8-digit campus ID to activate your COIN account. In COIN, the number is prefaced by the letters "UMS." You will enter UMS and then your 8-digit number. Example: UMS12345678
Your initial password will be derived from your last name and birth date, as follows:
LaMMDDYYYY
- "La" indicates the first 2 letters of your last name (the first letter capitalized and the second letter in lower-case)
- "MMDDYYYY" indicates the month (MM), day (DD), and year (YYYY) of your birth date
Example: the password for John Smith, born on June 9, 1987, would be "Sm06091987"
When you sign in to COIN for the first time, you'll be asked to create a new password and set up answers to security questions.
Additional information about COIN can be found on the COIN web site.
3. Get the right computer
CITS provides minimum purchase recommendations and suggested hardware configurations. Some colleges (Business, Visual & Performing Arts) also provide specific recommendations for laptops.
For more information or questions regarding purchasing technology, please contact the IT procurement coordinator, Rob Roy at 508-990-9654 or via email at Rob.Roy@umassd.edu. Also visit the UMass U$ave program for potential savings.
4. Get connected
For residential students: Visit the Network pages to learn how to connect to the residential network. Visit the Wireless pages to learn how to establish a VPN account for wireless connectivity.
For commuting students: Students who wish to connect to our network from home must make arrangements with an Internet Service Provider or ISP. Your ISP will inform you of its hardware requirements to connect to our campus network. Commuting students who will be bringing laptops (with wireless cards) to campus may sign up for wireless VPN accounts.
5. Secure your computer
All student computers are required to have anti-virus software installed in order to connect to our campus network. CITS provides this software, available free of charge, to all UMass Dartmouth students. Visit the CITS Security pages for more information.
6. Computer labs
The CITS Computer Classrooms and Labs are teaching spaces for faculty using computer technology in their coursework. When not being used for teaching, the classrooms become public access computer classrooms (labs), which provide access to students, faculty and staff. All hours that classrooms are open to the public, CITS provides IT Assistants to provide training and support for all supported software.
7. Telephone services for residential students
Each room has one telephone jack to which students must attach their own touch-tone phone. Each resident has a different telephone number and voice mailbox (although shared in the case of a "temporary triple" room). Telephone numbers are pre-assigned and permanent to each room and bed assignment; numbers are included in your "Housing package."
The room telephone service provides unlimited local area calling as well as several features such as last party redial, call hold, call waiting, call forwarding, etc.
Connecting your phone: The telephone jack is normally noted as "telephone" or in new housing units as the "black" jack. (Orange jacks are for data connections only.) For new phones, please be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions prior to setting up your phone, since many new phones require up to 12 hours of charging before they are operational. Questions can be referred to your Resident Assistant or to x4000.
For difficulty with voice, voicemail, data, or video services, dial x4000 and listen to the options. Someone will respond to your message within 24 hours. If the phone is out of service, it is wise to leave an alternate call back number.
Additional information about telephone service: voicemail, password, dialing
8. myCourses
Link to the CITS Instructional Development team for more information about accessing your online courses.
9. Printing
While CITS does not currently charge for printing in Computer Classrooms and Labs, we ask for your assistance in keeping costs and waste to a minimum.. Please follow our printing guidelines.
How to Get Help or Learn More
On campus:
- Visit the IT Service Center: Students, Library lower level
- Call 508-999-8884 (x8884)
- Email itstudentcenter@umassd.edu
Students living in the Residence Halls may also contact the Residential Technology (ResTech) Support Center:
- Visit ResTech in Elmwood Hall, lower level
- Call the ResTech Help Line at 508-999-8040 (x8040)
- Email ResTech@umassd.edu
