Getting Started on Bethel's Computing Environment

Getting Started on Bethel's Computing Environment

The Help Desk

The Help Desk is the contact point for all technology support at Bethel for students, faculty, and staff.
Phone: 651.638.6500 [1- Employees, 2-Students, 3-Course Technology, 4-Library Reference Desk]
E-mail: students & others - stu-helpdesk@bethel.edu, employees - helpdesk@bethel.edu
Online: http://helpdesk.its.bethel.edu/ or http://footprints.bethel.edu to submit a problem or request
In-person: CC120 or University Library Information Commons

Computer Resources

Residence Hall - Labs/ personal computers
CC120 Main Lab
(60 computers)
BU Library & Learning Commons
(96 computers), Seminary Library (12 computers)

CC325 (35 computers) and AC203 (22 computers) Classroooms

Multimedia Computers,
Scanners available in BU Library and CC120
Kiosks, Departmental Labs, and more

Technology Equipment Checkout - BU Library

Computer Village

Phone: 651-638-6493
E-mail: comvil@bethel.edu
http://www.bethel.edu/its/comvil

BLink

BLink is your portal to all Bethel Information, including news, announcements, technology support and more as well as access to your personal and class data on our campus Banner database system.

Your BLink Account - https://blink.bethel.edu
BLink Support Page - http://www.bethel.edu/its/blink

My Account

• Create and maintain your Bethel Community Account at https://directory.bethel.edu/account/
• Change My Password
• Reset My Password

Acceptable Use Policy: You are responsible for all usage of your Bethel computing account, and you must read and abide by Bethel's  Acceptable Use Policy located in the Policy section of the Information Technology website at http://www.bethel.edu/its/policies/.

1. Your access to the network is for educational purposes - not social or recreational!!!
2. Your Password is Private - DO NOT SHARE WITH ANYONE!!!
3. Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer to peer file sharing, violates Bethel's Acceptable Use Policy and may subject you to both Bethel and civil and criminal penalties.

Email

Email is an essential and effective communication medium within the Bethel Community. Bethel community members are expected to check their email frequently. The email policy can be found in the Policy section of the Information Technology website. Each user has a limit for email storage (warnings at 300MB, sending blocked 320MB, account blocked at 390MB).

Email Access: You can access your Bethel email via the email icon in BLink, from any web browser at https://webmail.bethel.edu/ or via http://www.bethel.edu/ by the footer link to Webmail.

Email Preferences: If you prefer to continue using an email system outside Bethel,  you must either also check your Bethel mail regularly as detailed in the policy or have your email at Bethel forwarded. To set up email forwarding, use the Change Where My Bethel Email Is Delivered link on the My Account page [https://directory.bethel.edu/account/].

Blackboard

Blackboard, Bethel's Learning Management System is accessed via any "Quick Links" menu on a Bethel web page, via the Blackboard icon in BLink, or directly at https://blackboard.bethel.edu. Help files and an FAQ for Blackboard at Bethel are available at the ?help button in Blackboard, via the Blackboard Help Request Form or 651-638-6500#3.

Saving Your Files on BSP-NAS

Employees and full-time students are encouraged to store their files in their private  and/or department folder on our secure server [BSP-NAS is the Saint Paul campus server].

Storage is limited and your account will be locked to further saving when you reach the limit. Large media files, music, images, or movies or long term archives of files should be stored on CDs or DVDs. Contact the Help Desk if you need assistance in storing your files.

Access your server folders at http://fileindex.its.bethel.edu. This page is dynamic and will automatically respond to you according to your login, location, computer platform, and operating system.

Printing

Each student is allowed 500 free pages per year.  Pages you print beyond your 500-page quota will be automatically billed to your student account about May 10 at $0.11 per page. One page printed to a color printer is $0.99, and thus counts as 9 pages. Monthly reminders will be sent as users reach certain page count levels. To check the number of pages you have printed, go to https://directory.bethel.edu/account/ and click on the link for Check My Printing Page Count or to the BLink Technology tab Printing channel.

Important Printing Note: Avoid being charged for pages when you have printing problems by contacting the Help Desk immediately.  For more information on printing charges, click on the link for Printer Accounting FAQ (frequently asked questions) at http://www.bethel.edu/its/printing/charge_faq).

Web Hosting

Bethel has servers for personal web page hosting. To enable your personal web page, go to the My Account page, https://directory.bethel.edu/account/, and click on the link for Create My Personal Web Site. Accounts are limited to a storage limit of 120MB for students or 300MB for faculty/staff. The address of your web site takes the format: http://www.bethel.edu/~netid.  Requests for other types of Bethel web pages should be submitted to webmaster@bethel.edu. Students and faculty can also use eFolio Minnesota (http://efoliomn.com/).

Bethel Online Directory

A quick way to locate contact information for classes, faculty, staff, and students is available via the Directory icon in BLink or directly at https://directory.bethel.edu/.

Banner

Banner is our campus database.  You can access your Banner information from the Academics and Work Life tabs of BLink or via the Banner Self Service Page https://esther.mis.bethel.edu:9005/.

ResNet (residential networking)

Students living in Bethel housing may connect their computers directly to Bethel's network for fast access to the Internet and their personal files.  More information is available at http://www.bethel.edu/its/students/new-student and the Freshman Introduction to ResNet (Connecting to the Internet), contact the Help Desk in CC120 or call 651.638.6500.

Security

Bethel uses modern security technology to protect you and your information when using our network. As a user you can help us by;

• Create a strong password with at least 8 characters using both letters and numbers.
• NEVER share your password with anyone - not friends, not parents, not anyone.
• Be cautious with email links and attachments, especially from unfamiliar sources or ones that request you to do something or to provide information.
• Browse wisely when using the internet and be cautious when downloading any file or software.