Current Students Technology Overview
User Accounts
Banner
Banner, or 'the Banner tab' located within WestConnduit, allows you to self-register for classes, query Financial Aid information, make payments, and more. [further overview]
E-Learning (Blackboard Vista, Blackboard Vista)
Blackboard Vista allows students to access academic materials online in order to accomplish their instructional goals. With Vista, it is possible to provide the following online: Assessments, Assignments, Chat and Whiteboard, Discussions, Content Files, Media Libraries, Syllabus, Learning Modules, URLs, Course Calendar, Announcements, and Course Mail. [further overview]
WestConn Email
All students are encouraged to get a WestConn Email account for official WestConn business. Once your account has been created, you will have access to your email from any computer on or off–campus that has access to the Internet. You can obtain your WestConn Email account at any one of the staffed computer centers. [further overview]
WestConnduit
WestConnduit is WestConn's campus portal. WestConnduit allows you to see your grades, course schedules, academic history and financial aid information, and allows you to register for classes and make payments to the university. It also provides access to Blackboard Vista, WestConn's online course management system, campus and personal announcements, the campus events calendar, and convenient links to other university resources. [further overview]
WestConn Windows Account
A WestConn Windows Account is necessary for students to access the University’s network from the computer centers, classrooms, labs, residence halls, and wireless network. Your can obtained a WestConn Windows Account at any time from any of the staffed computer center on either campus. [further overview]
Getting Connected
Computers on Campus
University Computing provides general computing facilities on both of WestConn's campuses at no charge to the members of the university community. 100% of WestConn's classrooms that are suited for it are equipped with instructional technology. [further overview]
Network Drives (File Shares)
University Computing offers network file storage for all current WestConn students, faculty, and staff to save their documents and data. When your WestConn Windows Account was created, your fileshare was automatically generated. [further overview]
Remote Access
Remote Access allows students, faculty, and staff to connect to authorized network drives. [further overview]
ResNet
ResNet allows students in the residence halls to connect to the University’s local area network and the Internet via the Cisco Clean Access Agent. [further overview]
Wireless at WestConn
Many areas of both campuses are wireless hotspots for your laptop or other portable device: the Haas Library, New Science Building, Student Center, Westside Campus Center, Centennial Hall, and Westside Classroom Building. Many more locations are planned for the future, so check the list of hotspot locations often for updates. [further overview]
Hardware & Software
Information Security
The Information Security site provides information about security and tools that are needed to secure and guard your computer against known security threats. [further overview]
Training
Students receive technology training at the Student Technology Training Center (STTC). The goal at the STTC is to inform students, faculty and staff about the fundamentals of computing at Western. Our focus is on the various workshops we offer, the individualized assistance we provide, and the facilities and software we have available. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide a facility, which is staffed with students who have interests in the field of training and computers. [further overview]