Arts & Sciences Computing FAQ

Experiencing technical difficulties? 

Check the Washington University service dashboard to see real-time updates on any system issues. 

Check system dashboard

 

New to WashU?

Make an appointment with your Client Support Rep

New Arts & Sciences faculty may obtain support by contacting their Client Support Representative. Representatives can assist with computer purchases, computer hardware, software installation, and e-mail among other services.

FIND YOUR SUPPORT REP

 

WUSTL Key & Enrolling in 2FA

WUSTL Key

Your WUSTL Key is your login ID and password for accessing most WashU systems. The WUSTL Key ID is unique to you and the password must be changed annually. You can manage your WUSTL Key ID by resetting the password, setting up secret questions and establishing an alternate email address online. Protect your WUSTL Key ID by keeping your password confidential.

manage your WUSTL Key ID

2FA by Duo

The university requires a secondary method of verifying your identity when accessing University systems off campus. Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) uses a secondary device (such as your cell phone) for identity verification, enhancing the security of your personal information and University data. Please visit the WashU 2FA enrollment page for instructions and support.

WashU 2FA enrollment page

Get Connected: VPN and Wifi

Danforth VPN

The Danforth VPN is for use by Danforth Campus faculty, staff, and students. VPN allows you to connect to University resources requiring a secure Washington University network connection to access. You must have WUSTL 2FA enabled for your account in order to use VPN. 

WUSTL 2FA

Many tools do not require a VPN connection to access them. For example, Canvas, Zoom, Teams, Box, Outlook, and Office 365 apps. For a list of WashU systems that do and do not require VPN, view WashU Systems VPN Requirements (PDF).

How to download the VPN client


Wireless Networks

There are several networks available on the Danforth Campus. To learn more about which network is right for you, wifi coverage maps, and other wireless information, please visit the wireless network information page on the WUIT website. 

 

Email and Calendar on O365

All faculty, staff, and students are given a University email account provided through Microsoft’s Office 365 platform. The WashU email and calendaring service is powered by Microsoft Office 365. You can download the Outlook app to your desktop (if not already installed), your cell phone or any personal device. You can also access the services via the Web using Outlook on the web (OWA). Emails sent in the WashU Office 365 service are HIPAA and FERPA compliant. To connect your computer or smartphone to your WUSTL email account, learn about the O365 calendar, or get more O365 information, visit the WashU IT website.

WASHU IT WEBSITE

O365 Software Suite

With the Microsoft O365 suite, you can access Microsoft’s vast collection of integrated productivity apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more. You can install the O365 app on up to 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets, and 5 smartphones (including personal devices) and save all your work in the cloud so it’s accessible from anywhere. If you need help installing any software, please contact your Client Support Representative.

Find your Support Rep

Download Supported Software

Arts & Sciences Computing provides support for certain software that is installed on Washington University owned faculty & staff computers. If you need help installing any software, please contact your Client Support Representative.

Supported Software Downloads

 

Anti-Virus Software

Anti-Virus software is crucial to protecting your computer and preventing the spread of viruses across the Washington University network.

Faculty and Staff:

Client Support provides installation and support for Sophos antivirus software. This support is part of the Arts & Sciences Computing Anti-Virus Initiative for Washington University owned faculty & staff departmental desktop computers.

Testing for and cleaning of viruses is provided for Washington University owned departmental desktop computers by A&S Computing. Just contact your Client Support Representative to schedule an appointment.

Find your Support Rep

Canvas

Login to Canvas

You can log in to your Canvas dashboard at MyCanvas.
 

Canvas Accounts

Only persons enrolled or assigned to a course have access to Canvas. If you do not yet have course associations and expect to, you should contact the respective department WUCRSL admin or school registrar.

If you are intending to be attached to a course as an instructor or support person, you should verify that assignment in WebFAC. Similarly, if you are enrolled or enrolling as a student in a course, you should verify those enrollments in WebSTAC. In either case, there may be up to a 24 hour window from creation of that association in WebFAC/WebSTAC before that information has migrated into Canvas.

If you feel you have reached this message in error, please contact artscicanvas@wustl.edu for assistance. 
 

24/7 Canvas Support

Canvas offers technical support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to all faculty, staff, and students. Click the Help button from the Global Navigation Menu to access 24/7 Canvas Support via chat or phone. Help is customized for faculty, staff, and students. You can also review Canvas Guides or report a problem.

For more questions about Canvas, training opportunities, and other resources, please visit our Canvas support page.

File Storage: WUSTL Box

WUSTL Box allows you to easily share and collaborate across campus, across the country, and around the world with a few simple clicks. Box is a secure file storage and collaboration platform that lets you easily share and collaborate across campus and with partners outside of the University. You get unlimited cloud storage, syncing for offline access, a 15GB file upload size limit, and version history management. WUSTL Box is also HIPAA and FERPA compliant. Box can be accessed online with your WUSTL Key or via a device (desktop or mobile) app. Access to this service exists for the duration of your faculty affiliation with the University. Click the WUSTL Box task on ONE.wustl.edu to learn more. If you need help, please contact your Client Support Rep.

more information about Wustl Box

Qualtrics

Qualtrics is a web-based survey tool for creating, deploying and evaluating WashU-branded surveys. Surveys are easy to create and manage and provide data that can be exported for analysis. Use Qualtrics for instructional or research purposes. Qualtrics is available at no cost to you and can be accessed with your WUSTL Key ID. More information about Qualtrics, including support options, and how to get started can be found on the WashU Information Technology website.

Communication: Chat & Web Conferencing

Zoom

For more information about Wustl Zoom and support, please see our Zoom login page.

Microsoft Teams

Collaborate in Microsoft Teams, the hub for teamwork where you can chat, organize meetings, host audio, video, and web conferences, and share files. Teams is included with O365 and can be used online or downloaded to several devices (laptop, tablet, cell phone) for convenient and accessible communication. Use of Microsoft Teams is available at no cost to you and can be accessed online with your WUSTL Key or via a device (desktop or mobile) app. 

Digital Humanities projects

The Humanities Digital Workshop offers project consulting and support for faculty in the humanities who wish to develop digital projects as part of their research.  In addition, the HDW provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects led by Washington University faculty.  

Humanities Digital Workshop Website

New Student Information

Where can students go for IT help?

Student Technology Services, a department within the WashU Information Technology division, is a dedicated team of full-time staff and student employees who are focused on supporting and delivering technology to the Washington University community. They provide a wide range of services and programs to enhance the University’s mission to discover and disseminate knowledge and protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching, and learning.

Student Technology Services

Purchasing Computer Equipment and Software

For students in Arts & Sciences, owning a computer is optional, but many students choose to buy one. Many computer labs are available both in residential areas and on the Danforth campus. For students in some programs, purchasing a computer with a specific configuration is required for more advanced courses in these majors. Please contact your department for details about any possible requirements.

If your computer will be used in University-owned housing, be sure to buy one with built-in networking hardware (ethernet) and wireless to take advantage of high-speed data connections available in campus housing and wireless available in may places on campus. We also recommend that you check with Student Technology Services for more specific guidelines.

Student Technology Services

Canvas

Login to Canvas

You can log in to your Canvas dashboard at MyCanvas

24/7 Canvas Support

Canvas offers students 24/7 technical support. Simply click the Help button from the Global Navigation Menu on your Canvas dashboard and select Chat with Canvas Support (Students) or Canvas Support Hotline (Students). You can also Search the Canvas Guides to find answers or Report a Problem.

The answers to common issues and concerns can be found on the Canvas student support page.

Printing in A&S Computer Labs

  • The majority of public access printing locations across the Danforth Campus and the Residential halls participate in the same print management program. A document can be submitted for print from a laptop or desktop computer and picked up at any participating print station.
  • Prices for 8.5x11 black and white and color printing are the same at all participating print locations.
  • Printing allowances, or credits, are provided by many schools and programs to offset the direct cost of typical printing volumes.

computer lab information page

Web Services

Self Service Website Options

For individual A&S faculty, research groups, and other unique entities that exist outside of these academic designations, we recommend using WashU Sites, a service provided by WashU Public Affairs. 

Self-Service Web Options

 

Department, Centers, and Program Websites

If you would like to request an update or change to your department's website, you will need to contact your department's website manager. If you would like to make a change to a course, you will need to contact your department's WashU Course Listings (WUCRSL) admin. 

 

Web Accessibility

If you are a website manager, please browse our accessibility testing page. to learn more about Siteimprove and other accessibility testing tools and how you can use them to improve the accessibility and quality of your website.

More help with web accessibility

Security

The Office of Information Security leads security efforts across all campuses, schools and departments. Information security staff are located across the Danforth and Medical campuses. Their services include WashU 2FA Two-Factor Authentication, Encryption, and secure storage services.

Anti-Virus Software

Anti-Virus software is crucial to protecting your computer and preventing the spread of viruses across the Washington University network.

Faculty and Staff:

Client Support provides installation and support for Sophos antivirus software. This support is part of the Arts & Sciences Computing Anti-Virus Initiative for Washington University owned faculty & staff departmental desktop computers.

Testing for and cleaning of viruses is provided for Washington University owned departmental desktop computers by A&SC. Just contact your Client Support Representative to schedule an appointment.

Students:

You may purchase anti-virus software at a student discount through the Campus Bookstore.

Report Phishing

In one month, WashU IT manages approximately 25 million emails in Microsoft Office 365. Phishing is the most common type of email cyber attack affecting organizations like ours. Phishing attacks can take many forms, but they all share a common goal of getting the email recipient to share sensitive information—such as login credentials, credit card information or bank account details—resulting in identity theft and usually financial loss.

What to do if you receive a suspicious email

If you receive a suspicious email, contact the Information Security Office immediately at infosec@wustl.edu or 314-747-2955

Leaving the University

Office 365 Calendar and Email

Faculty and staff who leave the university via termination or retirement may retain their email accounts for a period of time at the discretion of their department.

However, email addresses (e.g. username@wustl.edu) continue to route mail for a maximum of 60 days after the end date of the person's position in HR. This is a new automated HR policy, but requests for exceptions can be made by the department for reasonable timeframes (e.g. 6 months).

Emeritus faculty retain their email address and account for as long as they like.

student email account faq

Zoom

When students, faculty, and staff leave WashU, access to Zoom through the university will end.

To prepare, everyone is reminded to download their saved recordings in order to maintain access to those digital assets.

Who do I contact for Help?