New Student Information
For a technology orientation video go to http://www.youtube.com/user/pomonaITS.
Username and Password
Over the summer, ITS sends an information packet to all new students. This package will contain your Pomona username and a temporary password as well as pertinent information regarding computer usage at Pomona. Once you have received this packet, you should change your password by going to https://mypassword.pomona.edu.
Your password must be at least 8 characters and must consist of at least 3 of the 4 following:
- A lower-case letter
- An upper-case letter
- A number
- A symbol (e.g. !, @, #, $, %, {, ‘, etc.)
Once complete you’ll be able to access your e-mail through the webmail interface at: http://mymail.pomona.edu.
Email Address
Since the Fall of 2007, the email accounts for Pomona students are permanent. A student’s official email address will be username@mymail.pomona.edu (where ‘username’ is the Pomona username sent in the mentioned above information package). This will be the permanent email addresss.
While individuals are students at Pomona, two aliases are created: first.last@pomona.edu and first_last@pomona.edu where ‘first’ and ‘last’ refer to the student’s given name and surname respectively. Students will be able to receive mail sent to their aliases and their “@mymail.pomona.edu” email address, but upon graduation, these aliases are removed. Alumni will only be able to receive email at their @mymail.pomona.edu address.
Your College Computer
Pomona does not sell computer hardware or software directly nor does ITS have any special deals for students. Most computer manufacturers, however, do offer special prices to students through an educational portion of their website or by calling them directly. Before making a purchase view our suggestions on things to consider in our computer purchasing guide.
Registering Your Computer
The first time your computer is plugged into the Pomona network you will be re-routed to a registration page. Registering your computer helps ITS keep the network safe for all users. Please read our computer registration page for more information.
WiFi
In order to connect to the Pomona wireless network you will need a 802.11b compatible card. (Note: 802.11g and 802.11n are both compatible with 802.11b.) This is the standard and most laptops have this built-in. In the event that you need to purchase one, ITS consultants can advise. For more information, see Wireless at Pomona.
Printing
Students need not purchase a personal printer since ITS has multiple dorm and academic building labs with powerful laser printers. For further information on printing from dorms visit our printing information page.
Software
Pomona ITS does have license agreements with certain software developers which allow us to distribute their products to Pomona students. These include Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Office (for PCs and Macs), McAfee and Virex antivirus software (for PCs and Macs) from Network Associates.
Course Websites
Sakai is the Learning Management System (LMS) used by all the Claremont Colleges. The basics of logging in and getting around are explained on explained on the ITS Sakai page.
If you want more information, read the Sakai Quickstart Guide for Students. If you want even more information, read the other Quickstart Guides at the Claremont Sakai Documentation. If you just cannot get enough information, download the Sakai User Manual as a 110 page PDF.
ITS Support for Students
ITS offers free computer support to all students through the student-staffed ITS Helpdesk.
Students have a several options available to them for technical assistance:
- Many problems, how-to instructions and frequently asked questions are answered by the ITS KnowledgeBase:http://helpdesk.pomona.edu.
- A student may call the ITS Helpdesk (x18062) during helpdesk hours and a student consultant will be able to assist with the problem over the phone.
- Laptop owners may bring their machine to ITS during helpdesk hours. Desktop users may call the Helpdesk (x18062) and schedule a time for a consultant to make a room visit.
- For liability reasons ITS can diagnose but not fix most hardware problems. Huntley Bookstore contracts with Cornice Mac Repairs in Upland to provide repair services for personally owned computers under warranty with Apple. For PC hardware support the end-user is advised to contact the manufacturer for any repairs which require the disassembling of the unit.
