UMass Amherst Information Technology (IT) welcomes you to the Fall 2023 semester!
Here are a few changes, updates, and actions to know about.
Prepare for the Semester: Actions to Take Right Away
Actions for Students
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Get Online Easy: Set Up Eduroam Ahead of Time
Get your devices ready to connect to campus networks - configure the eduroam network ahead of time.
Visit umass.edu/it/get-connected to get started. -
Get Your Computer Ready
Don’t get slowed down by important updates at the start of classes! Make sure everything is ready ahead of time:
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Don't get locked out:
Check your two-step login settings, especially if you're traveling.
Actions for Faculty
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Get Your Computer Ready
Don’t get slowed down by important updates at the start of classes! Make sure everything is ready ahead of time:
- Reboot your computer
- Connect to VPN if you’re off-campus
Connecting university-managed off-campus computers to VPN regularly ensures updates are installed. - Install updates for important apps like Zoom or Teams
Try launching important apps to make sure they aren't waiting to install updates before you can use them. - Check printer installations
Windows | Mac OS
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Make Sure You Can Access Files and Services
- Try logging into apps and services, such as Office and OneDrive.
- Check your two-step login settings.
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Get Ready to Present
Make sure you have any adapters you may need to connect your computer to your classroom audio/video systems.
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Teaching with Adobe Creative Cloud?
Complete the Adobe opt-in request form if you need Adobe products other than the free Acrobat Reader.
Canvas: A new learning experience is here!
This fall, some courses are taught in UMass Amherst’s new, future-ready learning management system: Canvas. Canvas provides an accessible and inclusive experience, centered on ease of use – including on the go usability with the Canvas mobile app.
Canvas will become UMass Amherst’s primary learning management system over the next couple years. Learn more about the transition to Canvas.
New SPIRE login page
This semester, access the SPIRE student information system with a new login page – now using a similar login process to many other campus services, and secured with two-step login.
The upgraded SPIRE login page is part of a multi-year effort to optimize the user experience and enhance the security of the campus IT infrastructure. Standardizing how students, faculty, and staff access IT and other campus services advances our strategic goal to deliver a technology ecosystem that prioritizes resiliency, security, and a positive user experience. Read more about SPIRE changes
Save Time: Check In Online for Tech Help
New for Fall 2023 - If you are visiting the IT Service Desk in the Campus Center for in-person tech help, you can now save time by checking in online.
Checking in online saves your spot in line and helps the Service Desk find answers to your tech questions more efficiently by filling in some basic information before you get there.
Get started at umass.edu/it/checkin
Tech Help & Resources
Find Answers: IT Knowledge Base
UMass Amherst technology support articles have the answers to many common and uncommon questions.
Solve issues quickly by finding up-to-date information in the new Knowledge Base.
Get Tech Help: IT Service Desk
Need help? Get direct support for UMass Amherst technology issues via phone, chat, email, or in-person.
Learn Something New: LinkedIn Learning
Extend your learning with on-demand online courses.
UMass Amherst students, faculty, and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning's online library of in-depth courses on subjects from creative tech tools and techniques to business skills.
Log in with your UMass Amherst account.
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