Technical Support
IT Guide for Students
UMass Amherst Information Technology offers UMass Amherst students IT services and support, including tech help, free and discounted software, and more.
Technical Support
Canvas is managed by Information Technology, which offers a Quick Tour of Canvas to help you find your way around. Canvas contains its own resources to help you learn to use it in Help > Search the Canvas Guides. Useful resources include the Canvas Overview video and Getting Started Resources.
Canvas also offers 24/7 support through live chat or by phone at 855-219-3080.
The IT Support Center can help you with problems logging into Canvas.
The IT Support Center can help you with technical problems with your SPIRE and email accounts. They can also help if you can’t log into Canvas.
You can call them at 413-545-9400 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time, or you can access chat and email support any day of the week. Remember to identify yourself as a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student and have your student ID number handy.
Computer Requirements
To take your courses online, you’ll need:
- high-speed internet
- a computer robust enough to run a current operating system and browser (not an iPad or other mobile device).
- a recent version of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- to meet recommended and minimum computer requirements
- a browser supported by Canvas
Get a New Computer
If your computer does not meet basic requirements, you will need to invest in a new one using excess financial aid or personal funds. Explore the UMass Amherst Dell and Apple catalogs for possible discounts. In certain circumstances, it may be useful to contact Financial Aid Services to increase your cost of attendance for the purchase of a new computer.
Free Software
Microsoft Office 365 Education and other software are available to you for free through UMass Amherst Information Technology.