Dear Colleagues:

TCIT looks forward to welcoming the TC community back to campus for the Fall 2021 semester. In preparation, we are working to ensure that all campus information technology systems in classrooms and office areas as well as WiFi, printing and network access are set up for faculty, staff and students on your return. 

Following are information technology considerations to keep in mind as you prepare to be back on campus:

Hardware 

• Any staff or faculty who borrowed their desktop computers, additional equipment and/ or furniture for off-campus use should bring the equipment back ahead of or upon your return to campus.
• Computers that have remained shut down during the campus closure may require system and security updates when turned on. Be prepared to leave ample time for the installation of updates as your computer may require multiple reboots. (If you have a laptop or mobile device at your disposal, you may want to bring it to the office with you for the first few days while your office computers are updated.)
• If you will require a video camera at work to attend video conference meetings while on campus, please reach out to the Service Desk to order an appropriate device.  

Software 

• Zoom Video Conferencing accounts: If you have not used/accessed your Zoom account since the Spring of ’21, please ensure you can log in. Signing in to your Zoom desktop app instructions can be found here.
• If needed, modify your RingCentral Call forwarding number so it no longer forwards all your calls to your home or cell phone during your work hours. Also consider removing or modifying your Out of Office notice in your email message if needed. Instructions for updating and modifying your RingCentral profile can be found here.

Network Access

• Network passwords will have expired for your desktop/laptop login account if you have not been consistently using VPN campus access. Please review the guide if needed to update/reset your Network password here. 
• WiFi access will also have expired. If possible, we recommend that you visit the campus during the summer term and update your mobile devices WiFi password connection.  You can access guidance on how to reconnect to WiFi here. while on campus.

KeyCard Access

• As previously communicated, all TC faculty, staff and students must complete the College’s Daily Health Screening to access the TC and Columbia campuses. 

Upon completing the Daily Health Check: If you receive a green check, your TC ID card should grant you access to any of the spaces to which you previously had access. If this is not the case, please visit Card Services in Whittier, Suite 1B, to have your card checked on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. If you receive a red check, your TC ID card will not allow you access to campus. You will receive an email advising you of next steps. 

We encourage you to visit campus and to address any information technology needs in the coming weeks if you are able to do so. Current Service Desk hours may be found here. If you are unable to visit the campus ahead of your official return to campus, please understand that the Service Desk will be managing an increasingly high volume of requests for support as we approach the start of the fall semester. We appreciate your patience during this time as we aid the TC community with additional needs. 

If you have any questions or need assistance related to access to campus digital and computing resources, please reach out to the TCIT Service Desk at servicedesk@tc.columbia.edu, or call 212-6789-3300.

Thank you for your cooperation as we prepare to return to campus. All of us in TCIT look forward to seeing you in person again soon.  

Best regards,


Daniel Aracena
Chief Information Officer