Student Accounts for Email, Blackboard, Labs and Library, and CAMS Students Portal
First, you’ll need to know your username for email and other services. Usernames are composed of your first initial, middle initial, last name, then the last two digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). So if your name is Casey A. Smith and your SSN is 123-45-6789, your username would be casmith89. For your password, we use the the first letter of your first name (capitalized), the first letter of your last name (capitalized) and the last six digits of your SSN.
There are a few things to watch for with usernames, if you don’t have a middle name, or did not give that information to Admissions, we leave out the middle initial (for example,csmith89). We also take any special characters out of last names, such as apostrophes or spaces (for example, O’Malley would become OMalley, and Van Pelt would become VanPelt). Generally, hyphens are left in unless the name is too long. Usernames cannot exceed 20 characters.
Your Cumberland University email address is your username, followed by @students.cumberland.edu (for example, casmith89@students.cumberland.edu).
VERY IMPORTANT: Your Cumberland University email address is the main point of contact that faculty and staff members will use to reach you, so please check it at least twice a week.
Also, any important information that is broadcast out to all students, such as special events, deadlines for registration and fees, schedules, etc. will be sent to the students.cumberland.edu addresses.
Getting to Email, Blackboard, and CAMS
Now that you know your user information, links to log in to all the services can be found on the Cumberland website.
Go to www.cumberland.edu
-For email, click on “Campus Email”, then ‘Students”
-For Blackboard, click on “Online Courses, then “Blackboard Vista 4”
-For CAMS Portal, click on “ePortal”, then “Students”
Trying to access these from a lab or library PC? You log in to the PCs with the same username and password. Just be sure to select “STUDENTS” in the “Log on to” list.
If you want to access email directly, go to http://start.students.cumberland.edu
If you want to access Blackboard directly, go to http://learning.dcollege.net/cumberland
(If email, Blackboard, or the labs don’t seem to recognize your login and password, and you have just registered, this is normal. It can take as long as 4 or 5 days before new accounts are active, especially if you have registered late or after the semester starts.)
Internet Access
We have wireless access all across campus. To connect, search for available wireless networks and choose “CU-students”. This network is not locked, so you can attach without a key. Windows XP will usually display a small window in the lower right of the screen telling you that wireless networks have been detected. If you are using Microsoft Vista or a Mac, consult the documentation that came with your system for how to connect to a wireless network.
If you are in the residence halls, each of the rooms has a wired internet connection as well. You’ll need a “CAT 5”, “CAT 5e” or “CAT 6” network cable to attach to it. These are readily available at our bookstore or almost any store with an office supplies section (Wal-Mart, Target, and of course OfficeMax).
Blackboard Online Learning System
The Blackboard Online Learning System is used to turn in assignments, find course information, take online tests, and maintain the flow of information between instructor and student away from lecture time. Cumberland University contracts with Drexel University in Pennsylvania to host Blackboard on their computer network. Drexel provides this service for other colleges as well. As part of this service, Drexel has an online learning team that supports all the students and faculty at all the colleges they host Blackboard for.
When logging in to Blackboard, there is a “Browser Check” that runs to make sure your system meets the requirements for connecting to Blackboard. It’s important to make sure that your PC or laptop passes the check, and there are help screens within the Browser Check to assist you in correcting any problems.
If you are able to log in to Blackboard, but don’t see one or more of your courses listed, your instructor or instructors may need to add you to those courses.
For any other problems with Blackboard, you have two contact points:
Email: olt@drexel.edu
Phone: (215) 895-1244
CAMS Portal
The CAMS Portal is used to check mid-term and final grades, unofficial transcripts, and schedules. Cumberland University maintains the CAMS system on our network, so contact the Office of Information Technology (helpdesk@cumberland.edu) if you have trouble accessing it.
Laptop / PC repair policy
Because of liability issues, Cumberland University does not offer repair or maintenance services for student-owned equipment. We can offer assistance for the following two items ONLY:
- You are having trouble connecting to any of our services (Blackboard, student email system, etc.)
- You are unable to connect to the campus wireless network (or wired network in the residence halls)
If your laptop or PC is out of warranty, we can refer you to a reputable local repair shop. See the Office of Information Technology for contact information.
If you are using a Lab or Library PC, you can print to nearby printers. Print quantity is monitored by the Business Office and you may be warned if the usage on your account is excessive. The billing office may start charging for paper usage if excessive use continues after a warning has been issued.
Protecting your PC or laptop
Having a good anti-virus / anti-spyware program is essential. Most new systems come with this kind of program installed. If you don’t have a program like this, or your subscription has expired, we can recommend Avast (www.avast.com). This program is a free download if you are a home, non-commercial user, and it does a good job protecting against both viruses and spyware.
What other programs do I need?
Microsoft Office will, in most cases, be all you need for completing assignments and coursework. We are still recommending Office 2003. If you have Office 2007, be sure to save your documents in Office 2003 format when submitting them to your instructors.
Some classes may require or recommend specialized software. Your instructor for that class will have that information, and it should be listed in the course requirements as well.
Office of Information Technology
Labry Hall, Room 003
615.547.1240
helpdesk@cumberland.edu