Frequently Asked Questions for students

Student FAQs

 

Your Stonehill account

Q. What is my username?
A. Generally usernames are your first initial, last name. For example, John Doe's username would be "jdoe". Capitialization does not matter. In some cases, your username will have a number as well (i.e. "jdoe1"). Your username will remain the same throughout your time here at Stonehill.

Q. What is my password?
A. Your email notification will contain your initial, temporary password. It is recommended you change your password at your earliest convience by registering with our password change service. We don't keep passwords on file, so we don't know your password. If you forget it, you will need to create a new password.

Q. I've forgotten my password, what do I do?
A. If you have registered with our password change service site, you can change your password there. Or you can stop by the Helpdesk with your Stonehill I.D. to create a new password.

Q. Will my password expire?
A. Yes, every 180 days. You will be notified via email approximately ten days before you password expires. The easiest way to change your password is to register with and use the password change service. You can also bring your Stonehill ID to the IT Helpdesk (during normal buiness hours), and make the change there. Due to security reasons, we do not change passwords over the phone, or via email.

Q. What are the password requirements?
A. All passwords must be strong passwords. More detailed information can be found in our account password policy document.

Please visit our accounts and passwords page for more information on your Stonehill account.

Student email

Q. How do I access my email?
A. The easiest, recommended way to access your email is to login to myHill, click "Email" under the QuickLinks. In the event that myHill is unavailable, you can also access your email by going to http://www.outlook.com.

Q. But Outlook.com is a Microsoft site, not a Stonehill site
A. Stonehill student email is hosted by the Microsoft Live@EDU service. This service offers more than just email, such as useful software packages and collaboration tools.

Q. Can I change my email password.
A. Yes, and we suggest you keep your Stonehill account and email account passwords synced. To change your password, log into your email account, click "Options", then "Account", then the "Change your password" link on the right-hand side. You will notice a "Change" link next to your current password (which will be hidden by asterixes). We suggest you take the time to change your email password every 120 days, along with your Stonhill account password. We also strongly suggest you take a moment to setup an alternate email account through which you can be contacted at in the event you forget the password to your Stonehill email.

Q. I've forgotten my email password, what do I do?
A. You will notice a "Forgot your password" link below the box where you type your email password. Click the link, and follow the instructions to reset your password.

Q. How much space do I get for email, what size attachments am I able to recieve, etc.
A. You have 10GB of storage space for email, and a maximum of 18MB for attachments. Your email is also protected from spam, virues, and other malicous software.

Q. Can I recieve my student email on my mobile device?
A. Your Stonehill email account can be accessed with most popular mobile devices. Because students use a variety of mobile devices, support is provided on a best-effort basis. More information on configuring mobile devices can be found here.

Q. What other advantages does Microsoft Outlook Live offer?
A. You can use the built-in instant messaging, video, and voice chat clients to communicate with others. You can share files, create groups for collaboration, and join Stonehill mailing lists. You can access non-Stonehill email accounts within your Stonehill email, keeping all of your communication tools in one place. And you can do all of this from anywhere with an internet connection, including most mobile devices. We have additional information about your Stonehill email account on our Email for Students page.

Please visit our student email page for more information on your Stonehill email.

myHill and eLearn

Q. What is myHill?
A. myHill is a personalized platform where students, faculty and staff access announcements, information and online services. Portal content is targeted to specific user groups, enabling access to pertinent information at a single location. For more information, check out the myHill information page.

Q. How do I access myHill?
A. Point a browser to https://myhill.stonehill.edu, and use your Stonehill username and password to login. If you are having trouble, make sure you are using one of these browsers, and take a look at these instructions.

Q. What are targeted announcements?
A. Targeted announcements are the primary method of communication to the Stonehill community as a whole and to various groups within the community. Targeted announcements are listed on the main page of the myHill portal when users login.

Q. Do I need to logout of myHill?
A. You should always logout for security reasons so others don't have access to your personal information. The system will automatically time you out after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Q. What is eLearn?
A. eLearn provides simple yet powerful tools that enable delivery of course content, management of student outcomes and enhanced collaboration. For more detailed information about eLearn, please visit the eLearn information page.

Q. How do I access eLearn?
A. The recommended way to access eLearn is to login to myHill, and then click the "eLearn" link under the QuickLinks. In the event that myHill is unavailable, you can also access eLearn by pointing a browser to http://elearn.stonehill.edu. Please note that Apple Safari and Google Chrome browsers are not fully supported at this time.

Q. How do I use eLearn?
A. Check out our eLearn page for additional information.

Computers at Stonehill

Q. Do I need to do anything prior to arriving on campus?
A. Make sure you have the latest operating system updates, and are using antivirus software prior to registering. Students that are not currently using antivirus software can download Symantec Antivirus.

Device registration

Q. How many devices am I allowed to have on the Stonehill network?
A. Each student is allowed five (5) devices registered with the Stonehill network. This can be a combination of laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles. Most mobile devices that connect wirelessly are not included in your allowed devices total. Guests that connect to the guest wireless connection are not included in your allowed devices total.

Q. How do I register my devices?
A. We have detailed instructions for registering Windows and Macintosh computers, as well as gaming consoles.

Q. Do I need to register my mobile device?
A. No, mobile devices do not need to be registered on the Stonehill network.

Q. I've reached the limit of five devices, and would like to add another device
A. If you have reached your limit of registered devices, and would like to add another device, you will need to remove one of your existing devices from the network. To do this, you will need to contact the Helpdesk and we will walk you through the process.

Q. I registered a friends laptop using my Stonehill account, and now I can't add my third laptop
A. Devices are registered to individual Stonehill accounts, so if you register a device with your account, that device counts against your three devices. The rule of thumb is only register your devices with your account. If you would like to add another device, you will need to remove one of your existing devices from the network. To do this, you will need to contact the Helpdesk and we will walk you through the process.

Campus network

Q. What kind of connectivity can I expect in the Residence Halls?
A. All residence halls have high speed ethernet connections in all rooms. Wireless is be available in all residence halls.

Q. What kind of connectivity can I expect in classrooms/other buildings?
A. Wireless network access is available to students in some locations in all campus buildings. Buildings that have complete coverage throughout are marked with signs indicating HillSpot Wireless Building. Information Technology plans to have complete wireless coverage in all Academic building in academic year 2011-2012, and Administrative buildings in academic year 2012-2013.

Q. What wireless networks are available?
A. Our secured wireless network, Hillspot, is available campus-wide. We strongly encourge students to use Hillspot. We also have an unsecured guest wireless network, which should only be used for guests that need basic connectivity.

Q. Can my mobile device access the wireless networks?
A. While we do not support wireless access on mobile devices, devices should connect without issue.

Q. Can I bring my own wireless router/network switch?
A. We do not allow unauthorized wireless routers or access points on the network. These devices interfere with network service and present security risks.

Q. Is P2P filesharing allowed?
A. P2P file-sharing has the potential to cause serious problems for your personal system, as well as the Stonehill College network.

File storage and available software

Q. Where can I store my files?
A. Students have access to 7GB of free space on Microsoft SkyDrive, which is linked to their email account. SkyDrive allows students to store and share documents and photos, create and edit documents using Microsoft Office Web Apps, and work within social networks.

Q. What's the best method of backing up my important files?
A. We recommend that you backup your important data on a regular basis using SkyDrive. If you use the Windows 7 Operating System, you can also use Windows Live Mesh to sync up to 5GB of data to your SkyDrive account automatically.

Q. Do I need to bring a personal printer?
A. There are over 150 network printers on campus including Xerox and HP printers, with at least one high-volume printer in each computer lab. Bringing your own printer is a personal choice, but Stonehill does not support non-Stonehill printers.

Q. Does Stonehill offer antivirus software for students?
A. Stonehill provides Symantec Endpoint antivirus software for students who do not have their own antivirus protection. Students may download Symantec Antivirus by logging in with their Stonehill credentials. Please note that you must type "stonehill\" before your username (i.e. "stonehill\username").

Q. Does Stonehill offer Microsoft Office Suite for students?
A. Microsoft Office 2010 Professional is included with all Stonehill recommended laptops purchased through CampusHP, and available in all computer labs. Students with non-Stonehill laptops have access to Microsoft Office Web Apps, a set of full-featured browser applications that allow to you create, edit, and share Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote documents. Office Web Apps is included with your Stonehill email account.

Q. Does Stonehill offer any online training
A. Students can create accounts at Custom Guide, and access a variety of online training programs.

College resources

Q. How many computer labs are there on campus
A. There are eleven full-featured computer labs on campus, including 2 open labs in Stanger and MacPhaidin Library, each with over 20 instructional packages, web page development tools, graphics tools, programming languages, and database tools for student use.

Q. Do all computer labs have printers?
A. Yes, each computer lab has at least one high-volume printer for student use.

Helpdesk

Q. How do I contact the helpdesk?
A. The Stonehill IT Helpdesk is located in Duffy 025 during normal buisness hours (M-F 8:30-4:30). During the school year, we offer extended hours in the Stanger Lab.

Q. What support can I expect for Stonehill recommended laptops?
A. Students who purchase their computers through the Laptop program will have four year warranty services through CampusHP and will be able to utilize the on-campus service center for any necessary repair services.

Q. What support can I expect for non-Stonehill devices?
A. We'll make a best-effort attempt to resolve any issues. In the event that your computer needs to be repaired, CamputHP has a service center on campus.

Q. Does Stonehill offer loaner laptops/laptop chargers/video adaptors, etc?
A. If you have a Stonehill recommended laptop, Campus HP offers loaner laptops and chargers. Loaner laptops and chargers are not provided for non-Stonehill recommended laptops. For laptops that have proprietary video output (i.e Macintsoh laptops), students will need to provide those adaptors.

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