Welcome to VCU!
We know you're anxious to get started. Once you've been accepted to VCU, you should activate your VCU email account, learn about all the technology resources available to help you make your academic career at VCU successful, and plan for your computer needs. Here's what you need to know before you come to orientation (you have checked out New Student Orientation, right?).
First things first...your eID
eID is your identifier to authenticate you to use many VCU electronic services and web applications. Currently, your eID is used to gain access to the VCU portal, wireless network, VCU Mail Anywhere email system, Blackboard Course Management System, library applications, and some departmental applications. You'll also use your eID to register for classes and access the student information system.
To get your eID you'll need your V-number (on your certificate of admission) and your birthdate. (Note that this page asks you for 2 of the 3 pieces of ID. If you don't know your VCU Card number, you can still get your eID with your V-number and birthdate) When you activate your eID, you'll also be asked to create a password. In order to access VCU's computer systems, you'll need a strong password, which must contain 7-12 characters, cannot contain a recognizable word found in the dictionary, must contain one number not at the front or end of the password, and must include at least 4 different characters. For more help with passwords, see this page.
Go to the eID Finder to get your eID
Now get your email!
Now that you have your eID, you have your email address. Simply add @vcu.edu to your eID and use the same password. Okay, so you probably want to get your email. There are several ways to to do this. The simplest is to log on to the myVCU Portal (using your eID and password). There's a portlet built in to get your email. You can also use VCU Mail Anywhere, which is the web-based interface for email. Information about using this service is here (you can also get there by clicking the email link at the top of the VCU Home Page). Information about setting up your favorite email program to get your VCU email is available here, or you can download a PDF guide to using VCU's email system.
Your email account carries some responsibilities with it as well. Those are outlined in these computer policies:
It is important that you are familiar with these policies, because by accepting the email account you are agreeing to abide by them.
Learn about myVCU Portal
VCU has a portal! You'll use it all the time to keep up with your classes on Blackboard, register and add/drop classes, find your grades, even view your VCU email, so visit it now and customize it to get a jump on things now. You'll need your eID and password to log in, and once you're there, you won't need your to log on again to get to different sites. You can customize the portal so you can also get your AOL email, GMail, YahooMail, blog, Facebook page, and lots of other information automatically. You can also set it up to get news, stock quotes, even Richmond movie times and traffic information! There is lots of online help to show you how to customize myVCU so all the information you need is right at your fingertips.
Plan for your computer needs
All students are required to have a computer at VCU. You are not required to purchase a specific computer, and, unless your major program requires a laptop, you are not required to have a laptop. But most students find laptops helpful, allowing you to take your laptop into the library, to class if you wish, and home with you so you can work on your English 200 paper when you go home for the weekend. To help you get a great worry-free laptop, we've created G2GMobile@VCU. This is VCU's computer purchase program which includes a 4-year accidental damage warranty, so if you drop your computer, you can get it fixed on campus for free, and sometimes even while you wait. Be on the lookout for a special mailing with more information about this great program, or click here.
If you already have a computer, or if you choose to purchase a desktop computer, you'll find a list of minimum specifications to help you figure out what you need. That page also has links to schools and programs that have special requirements; if your program is listed, make sure you follow the link so you'll know what you need. If your program is not listed, you can follow the general specifications on that page. If you need help deciding what's best for you, read through our FAQ page, which will give you some guidelines. And if you're still lost after that, call our help line at (804) 827-5154 and someone will help you figure out what will work best for you.
We've also created some pages to help you learn more about technology resources available once you get to VCU. Feel free to poke around on these pages to learn more about what's available. And remember that VCU provides a Help Desk that can always help you with your technology questions while you are a VCU student.
VCUCard--your other ID at VCU
Your VCUCard is your picture ID that gets you into your residence hall, dining hall, serves as your library card, lets you print or make copies in the library, and can serve as a pre-paid debit card. You'll need to deposit RamBucks on your card to do those last two things, and your parents can add money to your card from home using the VCUCard Online Card Office. You will get your VCUCard when you come for orientation, but if you want to learn more about it, you can get that information here.
Even more technology resources!
VCU publishes a Technology Guide each year. This little book is jam-packed with all the information you need to access all sorts of technology resources available to you as a member of the VCU community. We have a summary of the most popular resources on our resources page. If you are a new student, you will receive a copy of the guide when you come to New Student Orientation and get your VCUCard. If you want to get a sneak peek now, we've put a PDF version online so you can read it now.
