New Student FAQ

What do I need to do before returning to campus this fall?
There is a recommended checklist of things to do before you arrive on campus for the fall semester.

 

How do I get assistance with computer problems?
Contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance with supported services either in person, by phone or by email.

 

What type of computer account will I have while at TCU?

Every TCU student is provided with an account for portal, email, lab and personal file storage access.

 

How do I create a user name?
At the beginning of the TCU application process, students create an account on the portal, my.tcu.edu.  A unique user name and email address are generated during the process.

 

How do I change my password?

The TCU Password Self-Service Center, password.tcu.edu, is available for students to change passwords, unlock accounts and reset forgotten or expired passwords.

 

What are the password requirements for my account?
Passwords must:
• Be at least 7 characters long
• Contain at least one alpha character:  A-Z, a-z
• Contain at least one numeric character:  0-9
• Contain at least one special character:  ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) { } [ ] - _ = + ` ~ ; ' " ? / , < > or .
• Not be too similar to your last password
• Not be too similar to your name
• Not be found in the dictionary (words 4 characters or less are acceptable)

A password's strength increases with its length, complication of characters used and the frequency of changes.  Students should refer to password tips and examples for suggestions in selecting a complex and secure password.

 

How often do I have to change my password?

Passwords expire every 120 days.

 

What should I do if I forget my user name?

Contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance with your user name.  You will be required to provide your TCU student ID number. 

 

What should I do if I forget my password?

The TCU Password Self-Service Center, password.tcu.edu, is available for students to reset forgotten passwords.

 

What should I do if my account is locked out?

The TCU Password Self-Service Center, password.tcu.edu, is available for students to unlock accounts.

 

Is anyone else allowed to access my account?

You should not allow anyone else to access your account.  Students have the ability to create up to three special accounts in the portal, my.tcu.edu, that will give parents or other individuals access to financial aid, student account information and student records.   

 

How do I grant access to others?
Log on to the portal, my.tcu.edu, and from the Enterprise Menu, click on Student Center and select Grant Access to Others. 

 

What is my email address?

Your email address is of the form username@tcu.edu where the “username” is your TCU user name with periods separating the parts of your name.

 

What is the supported email application for students?

Students use Microsoft Outlook Web Access for email located at http://mail.tcu.edu.

 

How do I access my email?

Open your web browser and go to the address, mail.tcu.edu.  Enter your user name and password when prompted.

 

Is there a limit to the size of my mailbox?
You are given 100 MB of space to store email.  If your mailbox size reaches 85 MB, then you will receive a warning.  If your mailbox size reaches 95 MB, then you will no longer be able to send messages.  At 100 MB, you will be unable to send or receive messages.

 

What do I do if I exceed my mailbox size?

You must delete messages and save large attachments elsewhere if you exceed your quota.  There are specific actions or steps you can take to maximize your available mailbox space.

 

Can I forward my email to another account?
It is not recommended that you forward your TCU email to another account, but you can create a rule for email forwarding if necessary.

 

Can I access email from my phone?

You can access your TCU email from your phone by using TCU email settings for POP or IMAP.

 

Where do I store my files?
Each student is given 200 MB of personal file storage space on the network which is accessible from Windows lab computers or by FTP from Macintosh lab computers, your residence hall and off campus.

 

Am I allowed to have a TCU hosted web page?

Student accounts can be used to create and store personal web pages on the student file server. Each account should contain a folder named WWWPUB. All files that make up the content of the web site must be placed in the WWWPUB folder.

 

What is the url for my web page?
Your web site can be viewed at the address http://student.tcu.edu/username where “username” is your TCU account user name.

 

Does TCU filter web sites?
TCU does not block access to any web sites.

 

Are there computers available for use on campus?
Students have access to TCU computer labs and Internet only kiosks in various locations on campus.  There are Windows laptops available for check out in the library.

 

Is there printing available on campus?

Printing is available in TCU computer labs.  FrogPrints offers additional printing services to students.

 

Is color printing available on campus?

Color printing is available in some labs.

 

Is there a charge for printing?

Students receive 200 free black and white printed pages per semester.  Additional pages are billed to the student’s account at 10 cents per page.  All pages printed on color printers are billed at 90 cents per page.

 

How do I print from a lab?

You must swipe your TCU student ID card at the print station in order to print from a lab machine.

 

What type of computer should I purchase for use on campus?
It is purely a matter of personal preference.  Both Windows and Macintosh computer platforms are supported on campus.

 

Should I purchase a laptop or desktop?
It is purely a matter of personal preference.  A majority of TCU students bring laptops to campus.

 

Where can I get my computer repaired?

The Computer Help Desk does not provide hardware repair services for student owned computers. Students are asked to contact an outside vendor or SOS Consultant for hardware repair.

 

Are there educational discounts available for purchasing hardware?
TCU does not have special purchasing agreements with any hardware vendors.  Some vendors do offer higher education pricing.

 

Are there educational discounts available for purchasing software?
TCU does not have special purchasing agreements with any software vendors.  Some vendors do offer higher education pricing.

 

Is there any software that I should purchase for use while I am a student at TCU?

All of the TCU computer lab machines have Microsoft Office installed.

 

Does TCU provide any software to students?

TCU provides Symantec AntiVirus for Windows and Macintosh computers.

 

Do I need antivirus software installed on my machine?
Every computer connected to the ResNet network is required to have the TCU Student AntiVirus software installed.

 

How do I obtain my copy of  SAV?
Log on to the portal, my.tcu.edu, and from the Enterprise Menu, click on Helpful Links and select Antivirus Download.  Follow the TCU Student Antivirus Software installation instructions to install SAV. 

 

Is wireless available on campus?

Student wireless is available campus wide.

 

Is there a charge for wireless access?
There is no charge for student wireless access.

 

How do I connect my laptop to the wireless network on campus?
You must register the wireless physical address or airport ID at my.tcu.edu and complete the configuration steps for your operating system :  Windows XP, Windows Vista or Macintosh OSX.

 

Is there assistance for setting up my laptop?
Laptop workshops are offered at the Computer Help Desk in the library.

 

Is wired access available on campus?
Student wired access is only available in your residence hall room.

 

Is there a charge for wired access from the residence halls?
There is no charge for student wired access.

 

How do I connect my computer from my residence hall room?
You must register the wired physical address or ethernet address at my.tcu.edu and complete the configuration steps for your operating system:  Windows XP, Windows Vista or Macintosh OSX.

 

Is there assistance for setting up my computer in the residence hall?

Students who are experiencing problems after completing the configuration instructions should contact the Computer Help Desk.

 

What type of cable do I need?
You will need a 15’ – 20’ category 5e ethernet cable.

 

How many connections will I have available in my residence hall?
There is one data jack per bed.

How many devices am I allowed to register for use on campus?
Students may register up to three devices.

 

Am I allowed to connect my game console?
Game consoles are allowed, but are not supported. 

 

Am I allowed to have a wireless router?
Wireless routers are not allowed on campus.  If a router is detected during a network scan then your access will be disabled.

 

Are devices for securing computers allowed in residence halls?
Residential Services does not allow any devices that would cause damage to the surface of residence hall furniture. Personal property insurance coverage under the parent’s homeowners policy or the purchase of property insurance for your room is recommended.

 

Do I need a surge protector?
Surge protectors are recommended for use on campus.

 

How does the University communicate with a student?
TCU email is an official form of communication on campus.

 

What is TCU ALERT?
TCU ALERT is a service that will allow the University to send emergency text messages and weather-related campus closures via cell phones.

 

How do I register for TCU ALERT?

Go to my.tcu.edu.  Click on Student Center and then click on the Student Center link.  Under Personal Information, click on the Home/Permanent phone number link.  Add your cell phone number under the cellular phone category.  Save the changes.

 

What is the TCU Computing Resources Policy?
The TCU Computing Resources Policy contains university regulations regarding the use of computers, privacy of information, security, electronic communication, plagiarism and copyright infringement.

 

What are my responsibilities as a computer user?
TCU students should observe the recommended safe computing practices.

 

Does TCU have any policies regarding sharing and copyright violations?
TCU supports strict compliance with the federal statutes regarding copyright infringement as stated in the TCU Computing Resources Policy.  Students found in violation are subject to disciplinary action.