Coronavirus Update
Computer Resources for Students and Staff
Chromebooks and Wi-Fi for Students
Acquisition and set up of the long awaited Chromebook computers has been completed and distribution is underway to the students who indicated they needed a device to participate in online classes. The Chromebooks are being shipped directly to students for next day delivery. All students who registered to receive a device should have it by the end of this week. If you have not received it by Friday, 4/24/2020, please contact covid19academics@bowiestate.edu. Students who may still need a device but did not previously request one, should submit your request to the same email address.
Access to internet connectivity may be another challenge for some students. Many cell phone providers now offer bandwidth upgrades at low cost to students to enable use of the cell phone as a hotspot. The cable provider Comcast has also increased internet connection speeds and offers special low-cost packages for students. A summary of available Wi-Fi offers is posted on the DIT website. Students eligible for CARES Act funds will be able to use them to pay for internet access. Those funds are expected to be distributed soon.
To assist students in classes that require special software, a virtual desktop environment has been setup in Blackboard for each of the designated courses in management information systems, physics, mathematics, history, English and communications. Students will be able to access the same software that was available in the campus virtual labs.
Laptops for Faculty and Staff
Laptop computers are also now available for faculty and staff who still need devices to be able to telework. Requests should be submitted to the division vice president for approval. Once approved, and DIT is notified, a pick-up date and time will be set for the user to come to campus and complete the user setup. Users who have previously requested and are on the waiting list will be notified as soon as the laptops are ready.
Help Desk Hours
As faculty, staff, and students continue to operate remotely, the Help Desk staffed by the Division of Information Technology, provides technical assistance seven days a week. Students should email helpdesk@bowiestate.edu for assistance. Faculty and staff should submit helpdesk requests online at helpdesk.bowiestate.edu.
Help Desk technicians are available during the following hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 8:00AM - 10:00PM
- Friday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
- Sunday: 1:00PM — 8:00PM
Promoting Virtual Events on University Web Calendar
As more departments and student groups transition in-person events to virtual formats, please be reminded that these are still university activities that should be posted to the online web calendar as the first step in promotion: www.bowiestate.edu/calendar.
As soon as the event has been confirmed and a virtual event link created, please submit the description and link information to the web calendar: www.bowiestate.edu/submitevent. Events on the calendar may be featured on the university home page and promoted in BSU social media channels. In some cases calendar events are also shared with the local media
These virtual events continue to demonstrate the vibrancy and creativity of the university to prospective students and the broader community, even as we operate in a remote environment.