FAQs

All currently registered full- and part-time students are eligible for a Villa Maria technology account. These accounts have been setup with your registration.

To activate your account:

• You must read the College’s Computer Room Policies and Procedures and Internet Acceptable User Policies.
• You must submit (to Computer Services, the Library or Admissions) a signed Student or Employee Account Agreement indicating that you will abide by the terms of the documents stated above and that you understand that downloads of copyrighted material are illegal and will subject you to College disciplinary action and possible criminal and civil penalties.

Agreement forms are located in the Open Computer Lab (Rm. 13), Computer Services Offices (Rooms 10, 11, and 13) or in the Library.

If you intend to access the Library card catalog, use the Internet or e-mail, access your portal, register online, view your transcript, or save/print, then you need an active technology account.

In addition, your instructors may require certain assignments, such as discussion forums, written notes, or homework assignments, that can only be done on the computers located within the College facility.

Without an activated account, you also cannot access specialized software packages, print on a network printer, or save on the network-attached storage device.

First, make sure you’re typing the right username in all lower cases, with no spaces: your last name, first letter of your first name, and first letter of your middle name.

Example: John Q. Public would be publicjq.

The password for all student technology accounts is the last seven (7) digits of your student ID.

If you’re still having problems logging on, stop by the Open Computer Lab, Room 13, or the Computer Services, Room 10 or 11, or call (716) 961-1841, (716) 961-1819, (716) 961-1820, or (716) 961-1817.

If you did not submit your required account form, your account will be deactivated and will only be activated when the form is completed and submitted. If you tried logging on more than three times, and your account has been locked out, Computer Services can unlock your account for you.

Logon procedures have been posted in each of the computer labs: Room 13, Room L-30 (Palisano Lab), and the Library. The staff in the Library, Academic Success Center, and at Computer Services will gladly assist you with the proper logon procedures.

Speak to your advisor about taking a computer course or a computer-related course. Microcomputer Applications I (CCS 102) is a great course that will provide you with a basic introduction to computer usage, terminology, and software applications.  You can also stop into the Academic Success Center, where an in-house tutor can provide you with assistance.

Stop by the Villa Maria College Library. The Library staff members are equipped to show you Internet search techniques and assist you in using the wide variety of search tools available at Villa Maria College.

You can access your e-mail through Webmail. Go to www.villa.edu and click on the envelope icon in the upper right, then type in your username and password.  Your username is your last name, the first letter of your first name, and the first letter of your middle name, all lower case with no spaces.

Example:

John Q. Public Username: publicjq

Your e-mail password is the last seven (7) digits of your student ID.

Your student technology account and e-mail account are both activated within 24 hours after you’ve signed and submitted your Account Agreement form.

Computer Services will be happy to recommend some sources for computer purchases and answer any questions you may have regarding those purchases.  The College Bookstore carries a variety of computer equipment, software and hardware. The Bookstore staff can also assist you with computer purchases.

Check the door of each facility to determine the time the facility will be open. Access to computer systems is on a first come, first serve basis. Facilities are available:

• Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

We try to provide computer monitors acquainted with the computer systems that can aid you with logon procedures when possible. However, time restraints and availability of trained staff limit this ability. Also, monitors may not be familiar with all types of software installed on the systems.

Your instructors can assist you with specific course requirements or you can check with the Academic Support Center for help. If you’re still having trouble, you may want to consider enrolling in a computer or computer-related course.

Your account is only activated if you have completed the Student Account Agreement Form. If you haven’t, stop in Rooms 13, 11, or 10 for assistance.

Symptoms of a computer virus are not always obvious and current antivirus software tools are needed to detect these problems.

The 3M Corporation in conjunction with the International Computer Security Association has published a brochure called “How to Avoid Computer Viruses” that lists the following symptoms:

• Computer reboots without reason.
• New symbolic pictures or messages show on the screen.
• Unknown programs show up in memory.
• Software applications or system operating programs disappear.
• Unknown data files appear or existing files disappear.
• Light indicating drive activity goes on and off for no apparent reason.
• Computer operations slow down.
• Other computers in your work area have similar problems.

Additional warning signs include reduced memory or disk space, unusual error messages, unusual screen activity, failed program execution, failed system boot ups when booting and unexpected writes to a drive.

The threat of viruses is real. Protect yourself, your work and your computer. Don’t open e-mail from unknown senders or those with no (or an unusual) subject line. Never give anyone your username and password.

WIFI access is currently available throughout the entire College complex. Villa Net is used for unsecure access to the Internet.

Keep in mind that the wireless network is designed as a “shared” medium; as a result, downloading large files from the Internet will affect WIFI speed and responsiveness and disrupt service for all WIFI users.