Technology at MSU

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE
MSU offers a wide range of technology services, help, and support for students. A good place to learn about these options is tech.msu.edu/new-students. To get started, students must use their NetID. Students’ MSU NetIDs and passwords give them access to many MSU technology services, including email, file storage, and connections to the Internet. See netid.msu.edu for more information.

CONNECTING TO MSU’S INTERNET
Students can connect to the Internet on campus by registering their wired and wireless devices at dhcp.msu.edu/register.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Technology Resources tech.msu.edu

Technology Help and Support ithelp.msu.edu

MSU Email spartanmail.msu.edu

Office Licenses with Spartan Mail tech.msu.edu/Microsoft

File Storage tech.msu.edu/storage

Printing print.msu.edu

Device Registration for Campus Wired and Wi-Fi Networks dhcp.msu.edu

Campus Wi-Fi tech.msu.edu/wireless

Computer Labs tech.msu.edu/computerlabs

Course Management System: D2L d2l.msu.edu

Spartan 365 spartan365.msu.edu

MSU Technology Store techstore.msu.edu

Safe Computing Tips secureit.msu.edu

GENERAL COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY HELP
MSU IT live support is available from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week (excluding university holidays). For assistance you can contact the MSU IT Service Desk using one of the methods listed below.

Call the MSU IT Service Desk at (517) 432-6200
Submit an on-line request at ithelp.msu.edu

Stop by a Tech Bar, look up a location near you tech.msu.edu/help-and-support/msu-it-tech-bars/

ONLINE COURSE AND LIBRARY CATALOG HELP
The MSU IT Service Desk provides support for course management systems such as D2L or Kaltura MediaSpace. For assistance, contact (517) 432-6200.

Distance Learning Services (DLS) provides help accessing online library resources using MSU’s EZ Proxy Service. The DLS Help Desk is available 24/7 at (517) 355-2345 or (800) 500-1554. Support is also available by emailing reachout@msu.edu.

MSU COMPUTER REQUIREMENT
All undergraduate students at Michigan State are required to have a laptop that can connect to the Internet. MSU does not recommend students rely on an Apple iPad, tablet device, mobile phone, or netbook computer as their primary computer due to software limitations. See tech.msu.edu/about/guidelines-policies/computer-requirement.

Some departments and colleges have additional computer requirements. All students should check with their prospective major college and department to see if they have specific computer requirements.

LIBRARY SERVICES
In addition to maintaining several libraries on campus, MSU Libraries provides many resources online. The online catalog describes the libraries’ holdings of millions of volumes of books, bound journals, and government documents, as well as non-print collections including electronic journals, microforms, sound recordings, and maps. Students should visit lib.msu.edu to access the online catalog.

MSU Libraries also provide access to electronic resources, including indexes/databases, online journals and newspapers, electronic books, research guides, and other resources. Students should visit er.lib.msu.edu to access electronic resources.

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES
MSU has several technology guidelines and policies for responsible use of the MSU network, email services, cloud computing services, and copyrighted files. It is expected that MSU students read, understand, and comply with the laws, policies, and guidelines governing the use of information technology at MSU. See tech.msu.edu/about/guidelines-policies for information about MSU’s Acceptable Use Policy along with other MSU guidelines and policies.

MSU’S EMAIL COMMUNICATION NOTICE
Students are expected to read and understand MSU’s email communications notice. See tech.msu.edu/about/ guidelines-policies/student-email-communications for more information.

ILLEGAL FILE SHARING
It is a serious violation of MSU’s Acceptable Use Policy and federal law for students to share copyrighted files online.

Illegal file sharing and violations can lead to loss of network access, fees, suspension, expulsion, and/or lawsuits. For copyright information, tips, and policies visit secureit.msu.edu/file-copyright.

SAFE COMPUTING TIPS
Uninstall file sharing programs.

Don’t share copyrighted music, movies, software, or other files. Use free or paid media services for music, movies, and other copyrighted materials.

Be cautious about lending your computer or devices to others.
Make sure your computer, mobile devices, and wireless connection are password protected.

ONLINE STORAGE AND COLLABORATIVE TOOLS
Students have access to Microsoft Office 365 tools (e.g., Outlook, OneDrive, Teams). These MSU enterprise licenses offer better terms of service to students than using the applications as public individual users. Students can access these tools by using their Net ID and password to log into spartan365.msu.edu.

PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION
It is not wise for students to post their class schedules online. Not only will people know where students are, but they will know where they are not. Students should take time to consider the potential consequences of posting their whereabouts.

PERSONAL INFORMATION PRECAUTIONS
The following also should not be shared online or in emails with the exception being on a secure site that requires a login.

  • Social Security numbers
  • Passwords
  • Credit card numbers
  • Bank account numbers
  • Driver’s license numbers
  • Names, addresses, and phone numbers in conjunction with other personal information
  • other personal information



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