Overview
Welcome to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)! We are excited to have you join us. This guide is intended to help new students with common tasks that are necessary to get familiarized with technology resources available to individuals affiliated with the University of Alaska Anchorage. Read on to learn more about, and take advantage of the great resources and tools available to UAA students.
UAA's Information Technology Services (IT Services) department is your primary contact for assistance with technology, telephone, and account issues. If you do not find what you need in this guide, please contact us directly. Our Technical Support Center (TSC) is open the following hours:
- Fall / Spring semester hours: Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday we are closed, and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m
- Summer semester hours: Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday we are closed, and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Please note our hours may vary over breaks, and university holiday, so please refer to the IT Services website for updates.
Technical Support Center
Social Sciences Building 120
3190 Alumni Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-4646
Toll Free: (877) 633-3888
Email: uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu
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In this article:
Your Account
Your University of Alaska identity will provide you access with many resources at the university. Once activated, you will use your UA username and password to:
Please follow the instructions on how to Claim Your UA Username. If you've forgotten your UA Identity password you can reset your password. If you've forgotten your answers to your security questions pleases contact the TSC for assistance.
Your Email
The University of Alaska (UA) provides all students, staff, and faculty with an email account. The primary mail service is Google Workspace for Education. You can access your UA email through the UA Gmail portal. Get help with setting up email using our Email Knowledge Base articles.
Your First Week
The following are things you should check, read, and verify are working as soon as possible. This will ensure you are aware of policies, where to find important information, and how to get help when needed.
Acceptable Use Policy
Please take a few minutes to read UAA's Acceptable Use Policy. This document explains what constitutes acceptable, and inappropriate, use of campus computing and network resources.
Electronic Mail Policy
Please take a few minutes to read UAA's Electronic Mail Policy. This document explains what constitutes acceptable, and inappropriate, use of university email system.
Options for storing files at UAA.
At UAA, you have a variety of options to store all your important stuff ranging from OneDrive for Business, Google Drive, and more. We encourage you to review our Where Should I Save Files article for details on the options available to help you make your selection.
WolfCard
UAA's campus identity card is the WolfCard. The WolfCard provides access to many university services, such as access to the Consortium Library, Seawolf Sports Center, and Campus activities. You can also deposit funds on your WolfCardand use it as payment on campus and participating local retailers.
- Pick up your UAA ID (WolfCard). Your can get your Wolfcard at one of the following locations:
- Anchorage Campus:
- University Center (UC) - At the cashier windows
- Consortium Library (LIB) - At the Circulation Desk
- Homer Campus:
- Kenai River Campus:
- Enid S McLane (EMB) - In the KRC Bookstore
- Kodiak Campus:
- MatSu Campus:
- Fred & Sara Machetanz (FSM) - In the Student Services office (room 101)
- Valdez Campus (Wolfcard also known as Buoy Card)
Security
Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
There's a long standing debate between the use of passwords vs passphrases and their relative merits with regards to both security, and usability.
Examples:
- Password: Tr0ub4dor&3
- Passphrase: correctHorsebatteryStaple
Without diving into the complexities of information theory, randomness, etc. The short summary is that both passwords and passphrases can be secure, and if you're using a password manager, the security and usability differences between passwords and passphrases are usually insignificant. However, UAA recommends the use of unique passphrases for each account. While passphrases usually contain more characters than passwords, the use of mnemonic device usually makes the passphrase easier to remember. Thus reducing the likelihood of people using simpler passwords, writing them down, or reusing them on multiple accounts.
When using passphrases keep the following in mind:
- Four words are usually sufficient, however, five are better.
- Don't use the most commons words, and don't choose quotes or sayings. The words should be as random as possible. Pull out an online dictionary and expand your vocabulary by selecting a few less common words (e.g. GelasticSubarmaleOnProemptosis).
- Each account should have a unique passphrase of its own. This way if any one passphrase is compromised, the other accounts remain secure.
If you need to use a password it should be composed of at least 15 random characters; however, we only recommend this approach if you're using them with a password manager. This will help you securely store them without having to write them down, or remember them.
Secure Your Mobile Device
Many people elect to configure their mobile phone, and/or tablet to check their university email for ease of access. If you elect to do this we strongly recommend that you use a passcode on your device. Set the device to auto-lock after a period of inactivity (we suggest 2 minutes).
Other Services
There are many resources available to the university community.
Campus WiFi
UAA provides free wireless Internet connectivity from anywhere on campus.
Office 365 @ UA
All students, staff, and faculty of the university are provided with a free Office 365 account. This account provides access to online storage, as well as access to various online applications (e.g. Word Online, Excel Online, etc.) which are all conveniently accessed from a single interface, available wherever and whenever you need it. You also have access to Microsoft 365 apps for Enterprise which allows you to install the latest version of Microsoft Office on your personal computer, and mobile device.
Google Workspace @ UA
All students, staff, and faculty of the university are provided with a free G Suite for Education account. This account provides your primary university email account, access to online storage, as well as access to various online applications (e.g. Docs, Sheets, etc.) which are all conveniently accessed from a single interface, available wherever and whenever you need it. You can learn more about available services in the Google Workspace @ UA section of this knowledge base.
Learning Management System (Blackboard)
The University of Alaska systems official Learning Management System (LMS), uses the Blackboard platform.
Need additional help or have issues
For additional assistance contact the IT Services Technical Support Center via phone at (907) 786-4646, toll-free at (877) 633-3888, email us at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu, or you can use the Seawolf Tech Portal to submit a support ticket.