Using IT Services from home during a Swine Flu outbreak
The University and Swine 'Flu
The purpose of this page is to offer advice to staff and students to make sure that they prepare for unexpected absences where they will need to gain access to University central computing services. It is not the intention to suggest that the University expects staff and students who are suffering from Swine 'Flu to work during their illness.
Being Prepared
If you haven't used your University computer account for some time it is best to make sure that your username and password are working. This should be your first priority in ensuring that you have access to University central computing services
- Ensure that you know your username. In the majority of cases, this is your initials and a number.
- Ensure that your password is correct - log into your account regularly.
Help is available if you have forgotten your password
Students can use the password reset facility
Staff and Associates of the University should request help using the Help & Support contact details on the right.
- Know where to find the contact details of people you may need to be in touch with at the University. You will need to login to the website get access to this page.
- Ensure that your home PC is fully protected.
- Make sure that you have the contact details of your home Internet Service Provider (ISP) readily accessible to you so that you can easily report any problems that you may have with your internet connection.
Getting Access To Central Computing Services from Home
There are various computing services available to any University staff and students who have a computer and internet access at home:
- Access to your files
- Blackboard
- University only webpages
- Library
- Setting up push email on your PDA
Keeping in Touch
The University website will be a valuable source of information to you during any outbreak. Advice has been issued to staff and students who are affected by Swine 'Flu. Any changes to University policy on Swine 'Flu and any announcements will be made available on this site.
Getting Help at Home
Help and advice relating to the use of the central computing facilities will be available during any outbreak. However, please be mindful that as with other departments, IT Services may be short staffed during such a period. Before you report any problems you may find it useful to:
- Search the IT Services Website for instructions that are already available or for news relating to service availability.
- Check any error messages that you get on Google for possible solutions
- Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for any Office or Windows related problems
- If you still have any problems accessing the central computing Services, please telephone (0116) 252 2253 or email ithelp@le.ac.uk.
