WSSU Remote Access and Resource Delivery

There are two time-sensitive items you should consider for your technology preparation: 

1. Laptop Computers
   • If you have a WSSU-issued laptop that needs updates/patches, remote support software installed and configured please attempt to use the Self-Service - Laptop Check-up and Prep section below before requesting assistance from Technology Support Services. We are here to help. If you cannot easily find what you need, please contact Technology Support Services at RAMSupport or via phone at 336-750-3431.  

1. • If you have a WSSU-issued laptop that needs to be re-imaged or just a general health check you should schedule an appointment with Technology Support Services to have them look at it right away.
     • In order to have your laptop serviced, please enter a RAMSupport ticket or call 336-750-3431.
     • Upon receipt of your ticket a team member from Technology Support Services will contact you to schedule a time.
   • Depending on resources loaner laptops are available for faculty, mandatory and telework personnel. Faculty and staff who have currently have a university-issued laptop will be required to use that laptop instead of a loaner. All loaner laptops will be setup for remote access when issued. 
2. Remote Access
   • In order to access services typically provided via the university network (i.e. Banner INB, RMS - Mercury, shared drives and folders, Cascade), you will need to access the network using Global Protect VPN - a software program that runs on your university-issued laptop computer or mobile device, to connect to the WSSU network and access our internal resources from anywhere in the world.
   • You will not need VPN access for the following: Office 365, Canvas, Zoom, Adobe Creative Cloud applications, Mainsaver and other cloud-based systems.

Faculty and staff that have a university-issued laptop can self-service their laptop for long-term remote use by using the following steps.

Verify Windows 10 is Installed

1. Click file explorer on your task bar (Yellow folder)
2. Right click This PC or Computer and click Properties
3. Under Windows Edition, it should say Windows 10 Enterprise.  If it says Windows 7, please bring your laptop to Hill Hall to be updated.

Verify Windows Updates have been processed

1. Click the search icon at the bottom task bar
2. Type in check for updates
3. Click Check for updates in the windows that pops up.  Your system should say You’re up to date last checked “Today” at a given time.

Verify Global Protect is Installed

1. Click the ^ arrow on the bottom right of your task bar
2. Look for the world symbol and click it
3. Global Protect should appear
4. Follow the provided instructions to connect Global Protect

*Note: Global protect can not be tested while connected to the University network, including the wireless.  It must be tested on a external network (i.e. hot spot, home wi-fi, etc.)

Alternatively verify Global Protect Installation

1. Click the search icon at the bottom left of your screen
2. Type in Global Protect
3. If Global Protect does not appear, it will need to be installed on your computer. Installation instructions. 

If GlobalProtect will not install on your university-issued laptop, please visit Technology Support Services at Hill Hall so that a technician can assist.

If you have any issues or require assistance please contact Technology Support Services at RAMSupport or via phone at 336-750-3431.  

For Essential Personnel Only

Only individuals identified by Senior Staff will be given the capability to forward your university phone to the cell phone of your choosing. Instruction on how to complete the transfer will be provided via email.

Voicemail Instructions for All Other Employees

• Please change your university voicemail to direct callers to your cell phone or your email address to conduct university business. Alternatively, you may also use teleconferencing tools like Zoom, Teams, JoinMe, UberCall, or Google Voice. These services will allow you to communicate with students without divulging your personal phone numbers.
• Regularly check your voicemail remotely by dialing 336-750-2001, you will be prompted for your mailbox number (last for digits of your phone #) followed by # (pound) and then your password.
• Employees with a Cisco phone please check your email for instructions on checking your voicemail remotely.

Employees who telework often learn that working remotely is different than they expected and that it requires specific skills and routines. The following tips will help you stay productive while working from home.

1. Define your workspace.

Many people assume that it is easy to sit on the sofa with your laptop and get work done. Experienced teleworkers will inform you that this doesn’t work. We are creatures of habit and most of us are use to a certain routine when we are at home. Establishing a workspace, even if it is your kitchen table, gives your brain a cue that it is time for work.

2. Master the basics.

• • Know how to remote into the WSSU network and other online tools you use regularly
  • Use Skype for Business, Zoom, Teams or another instant messaging client to stay connected to colleagues.
  • Plan for a video calls/meeting by making sure you know how to turn on your computer’s camera and microphone and being aware that your colleagues may be able to see the background behind you.

3. Set daily goals, track them and share your progress.

You may be surprised by how differently the workday passes without the comings and goings of an office to break things up or influence what you do next. Start each day of telework by writing down what you need to achieve and then track your progress. Pay attention to how long tasks take you and start adjusting your daily goals to match your current rhythm. Communicate with your supervisor and/or colleagues if you think your telework plan needs to be adjusted.

4. Eliminate distractions.

Working from home can mean pets, children or a favorite hobby are only a few feet away. Depending on your living arrangement, you may need to hang a “do not disturb” sign so your family members don’t interrupt you. Pets often need a closed door to keep them away and you might need headphones to block the neighborhood noise.

5. Prioritize privacy.

Whether you are in your home or a common area, take five minutes to assess the privacy of your workspace. Can someone standing behind you read your computer screen? Are your windows open so your neighbor can hear your phone call? What information do you need to secure before grabbing a cup of coffee or heading to the restroom? Your personal privacy matters too, so see if there anything around you that you would not want visible during a video conference with your boss or colleagues.

6. Stay connected.

Many people say they do not call or instant message colleagues who are working remotely because they don’t want to bother them. Remember, they are working, not vacationing at home! You should feel confident about calling or messaging an employee who is teleworking anytime you would walk to their office or call them if you were working on-site.

7. Dress for work.

Just like sitting on the couch can make us feel a little too relaxed, wearing pajamas all day makes it hard to get into work mode. Dressing casually is definitely a perk of working at home but getting “ready for work” is a daily ritual that many teleworkers swear by.

While working off campus, please be aware that you are not protected by the on-campus firewall and other security measures that OIT has instituted.  This is a vulnerable time and hackers will take advantage.  Please be careful to maintain the security and privacy of your computing and network use by following the best practices below.

• Do not allow sharing of work computers and other devices.  When employees bring work devices home, those devices should not be shared with or used by anyone else in the home.  This reduces the risk of unauthorized or inadvertent access to protected university information.
• WSSU information should never be downloaded or saved to employees’ personal devices or cloud services, including employee computers, thumb drives, or cloud services such as their personal Google Drive or Dropbox accounts. 
• Do not use open or public (unencrypted) Wi-Fi connections, unless you are using end-to-end encryption wherever possible. Examples of end-to-end encrypted network connections include: Dialpad app communications; https connections in your browser (all Google connections use https).
• Think carefully before opening an unexpected or unusual email message. And think extra carefully before clicking on links or opening documents sent to you in an email message. Should you have questions about the veracity of a message or its sender, or if you believe your WSSU account is a victim of any phishing scams, please forward the message to phish@wssu.edu.
• Never provide your username or password to anybody via email, text, etc.  OIT generally does not need to know your password, and we already know your username. Should we need to know your password (very rarely), we’ll do it via voice communications so you know it is us.
• If anything seems suspicious, please contact OIT – we will promptly respond to your report as we would rather deal with any number of false positives than clean up after a breach or infection.

Internal Resources

ITTV - Where WSSU Tech Talks  - WSSU Information Technology's training video repository where you will find the following accessibility related videos:

• Document Accessibility - Word
• Document Accessibility - PDF
• Accessible Digital Communication (coming March 18, 2020)

External Resources

• Color Contrast Checker
• Image ALT Text Guidance
• Accessibility Checker Tools
  • SiteImprove Accessibility Checker Plugin
  • WAVE Evaluation Tool Plugin
• WebAIM Resources
• Screen Reader Simulation
• Social Media