Frequently Asked Questions

 

Technology Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is Welcome Week?
Welcome Week begins on Saturday, August 30th and goes through the following Sunday, September 7th.  A schedule with all of the week’s activities will be posted on-line.

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Are my parents allowed to come to Welcome Week?
Yes, there will be activities for your parents during the first weekend of Welcome Week, such as the “Entering the Gates” and “Opening Ceremony.”  There is also a dinner for students and families on Saturday, August 30th.

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What requirements are there before I am allowed to register?
The following information must be in place before you can register for classes:

  1. make your $200.00 non-refundable deposit
  2. send a copy of your childhood vaccinations, specifically the MMRs, to the Health Services Office (fax to 203-837-8583) – include your WCSU ID number on the fax – or bring this information with you when you come to register
  3. you will need to have taken any applicable placement test as noted in your admissions packet (Math, English, and Chemistry)

If you missed June Orientation and need to catch up, print this easy to follow checklist (Accepted Student Checklist) to get on track for the Fall semester.

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I have received the results for my Math placement test but have not yet received the results for my English placement test.  Is that normal?  And what about my Chemistry placement test?
Yes, the results for the English placement test take a little bit longer than those for the Math placement test.  Many students do not need to take the Chemistry placement test.  If you are not sure if you should take the Chemistry placement exam, please check the web page at www.wcsu.edu/chemistry/placeexam.htm for more information.

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What do I need to bring for Welcome Week?
As a student, you don’t need to bring anything specific along with you for Welcome Week.  It depends on whether you’re a Resident or a Commuter student.  If you’re a Commuter student, bring yourself to the events and get a taste of what WestConn is all about!  If you’re a resident, we have listed some of the basics.  For a more detailed list of recommendations as well as information concerning prohibited items, see the Housing/Residence Life FAQ here: http://www.wcsu.edu/housing/WhatToPack.html.

  • Clothes for hot and cold weather
  • Toiletries
  • Bathroom Linens
  • Bedding (sheets, comforter, pillow, pillow case, etc.)
  • Laundry supplies (detergent, dryer sheets, quarters, etc.)
  • Computer
  • Other essential items

In order to get your ID card and parking permit, you’ll need to bring a photo ID and the car registration of the car you are going to drive.  Bring cash or credit cards if you are planning to buy your books.  And if you have not yet submitted your proof of immunization, please bring that with you as well (see questions regarding immunizations below).

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Where can my parents and I stay if we are coming in from far away?
Here is a list of hotels that are only about 10-15 minutes away from our Midtown and Westside campuses:

Midtown campus:

Westside campus:

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When do Fall classes begin?
Classes begin on Tuesday, September 2nd.

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How do I get to WCSU for Welcome Week?
Directions and a map can be found here: www.wcsu.edu/campustour/directions.asp.

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When will I get information about Welcome Week?
A reminder postcard will be sent to all students in August.  Also, you will probably receive a reminder email. Your best source of information, however, will be the detailed schedule posted on the Web which will be updated continuously as we get closer to the end of August. 

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Where do I park for Welcome Week?
Student parking at the Midtown Campus is available only in the parking garages.  Parking restrictions apply.  Student parking at the Westside Campus is in the assigned commuter and/or resident student lots.  Please consult the parking area chart for details.  Please check our website for directions. www.wcsu.edu/campustour/directions.asp.

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I am a transfer student.  Do I really need to attend Welcome Week?
Yes.  We encourage all students to attend in order to familiarize themselves with resources and services available at WCSU.  If you have not already gotten your parking sticker, ID card, and computer accounts now is the time to do so considering you will need these items for the start of the school year.

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How do I register for Welcome Week?
You do not have to register for Welcome Week.  But, if you have any questions you can call the Orientation Hotline at 203-837-8215 or send an email to orientation@wcsu.edu.

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What do I do if I need accommodations for my disability during Welcome Week?
If you have a disability and require special accommodations for Welcome Week or your classes contact WCSU’s AccessAbility Services at (203) 837-8225.  To find out more information you can go to their website: www.wcsu.edu/accessability.

Also, the AccessAbility Services office has planned a special orientation session for Wednesday, August 27th, from noon until 3:00pm.  Pizza and sodas will be provided.  An RSVP is required so please contact the AccessAbility Services office at the contact information listed above to let them know if you will be attending.

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What if I am a part-time student?
Part-time students are invited and encouraged to attend Welcome Week.  Just like our full-time students you can learn something about WestConn.  If you have not already had the time to do so, now is also the time to make sure you get registered, get your ID card, parking sticker and computer accounts, buy your books, etc.

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What if I am an adult or non-traditional student?  Do I still need to attend Welcome Week?
Yes.  There will be a lot of information available during orientation that is important to all students.

There is a special Orientation session for just adult learners on Wednesday, August 20th from 5-7:30pm in Alumni Hall.

And again, now is the time to also register for classes, get your ID card and parking permit, and also set up your computer accounts if you have not already done so.

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Will I be able to purchase my books during Welcome Week?
Yes, there will be time during or after Welcome Week for students to purchase their books. Textbooks may be purchased with cash or check (valid Government issued ID required) with a printout of your class schedule. Credit cards will be accepted  only if the cardholder is present. Barnes and Noble gift cards will also be accepted for all purchases. If you put money into your WestConnect account, you can use your WestConnect card at the bookstore.  Books can also be ordered online from the WCSU Barnes and Noble website and may then be picked up in the store at no extra charge.

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How do I find out about how to get involved on campus?
You can visit our website, www.wcsu.edu/studentcenter/studentorg/, and see what clubs and organizations are already on campus or how to form your own club.  During Welcome Week you can meet many of the clubs during Club’s Carnival.

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How do I get a parking decal/ID Card?
The WestConnect office’s normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8am-4pm. During Welcome Week their hours will be extended.  Please click here for their extended schedule.

Bring your car registration of the vehicle you plan to drive and a photo ID and you will receive your parking sticker.  For the ID card you will need to bring a valid form of photo identification (driver's license, state identification card, passport) and your course schedule verifying registration for the current semester.

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Where do I go to pay my bill or find out about Financial Aid?
The Cashier’s Office is located in the Old Main Administration Building where you will be able to handle all billing inquiries or you may visit their web site at www.wcsu.edu/cashiers.  Bills are due in full on July 18th.

The Office of Financial Aid is also in the Old Main Administration Building where you can find answers to any of your financial aid concerns, or go to www.wcsu.edu/finaid.

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When can new students move into the residence halls?
Students who are registered as full-time (12 credits or more) will be eligible to move into their residence hall for Fall 2008 on Saturday, August 30th, the first day of Welcome Week provided they have also sent in their proof of immunization.  Students who are not registered for 12 or more credits will need to see the Registrar prior to the move in date.

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What type of meal plans are available and who can get them?

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What immunizations must I provide in order to register for classes?
All students – full and part-time – must show proof of two measles and one rubella immunization prior to registration according to the State Mandated Measles/Rubella Law, Public Act 89-90.  Please submit your proof to the Health Services office located in front of Litchfield Hall, Midtown campus.  For your convenience, a Health Services representative will be present in the Student Center to collect your proof during morning hours of your Orientation day.  Also, you may fax your information to (203) 837-8583.  Please note: proof of graduation from a Connecticut High School, in or after 1999, will also be accepted as proof of immunity for measles and rubella. Please present a copy of your High School diploma to Health Services.

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Do I need to show any other immunization if I will be residing on campus?
All residence hall students are required by Connecticut State Law, Public Act 01-93, to have documented proof of immunization with meningococcal vaccine (menactra or menomune) before arriving on campus.  Please submit your proof to the Health Services office located in front of Litchfield Hall, Midtown campus.  Also, you may fax your information to (203) 837-8583.

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What computer facilities are available at WestConn?
WestConn offers a number of staffed facilities where you can receive assistance from our friendly student staff. We also have 24 hours computer labs available for student use. For a complete list of facilities and hours, please visit:            www.wcsu.edu/technology/students/pubfac.asp

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How do I get a WestConn Windows account?
A WestConn Windows account is necessary for students to access the University’s network from the computer centers, classrooms, labs, residence halls, and wireless network. You will be able to get your account information during June orientation, Welcome Week, and any other time during the semester from the following staffed computer centers on campus: Midtown Computer Center (Haas Library), Westside Computer Center (WS 117), and the Student Technology Training Center (SC 225). http://www.wcsu.edu/technology/students/pubfac.asp

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Should I get a WestConn email account?
Yes, all students are required to get a WestConn email account for official WestConn business. Once your account has been created, you will have access to your email from any computer on or off-campus that has access to the Internet by visiting https://student.wcsu.edu/login, or by logging into WestConnduit and clicking on the email link. You can obtain your WestConn email account credentials at any of our staffed computer centers on campus.  http://www.wcsu.edu/technology/students/email.asp

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What is a WestConnduit account, and where can I get one?
WestConnduit is WestConn's campus portal.  WestConnduit allows you to see your grades, course schedules, academic history and financial aid information, and allows you to register for classes and make payments to the university.  It also provides access to Blackboard Vista, WestConn's online course management system, campus and personal announcements, the campus events calendar, and convenient links to other university resources.

You can obtain your WestConnduit credentials at any of the staffed computer centers on campus, or your can reset your PIN online at: https://webapp.wcsu.edu/bannerpin/. A WestConn email account is required.

WestConnduit can be accessed by visiting www.wcsu.edu and clicking on the WestConnduit link.

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Should I bring my own computer?
You do not need to bring your own computer. However, a laptop with wireless capability can be useful. In case you do not own a computer, WestConn has a number of computer facilities available for student use. Some are open as early as 8am, and close as late as 11pm. Some are open around the clock.

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I want to purchase a computer to bring to WestConn. What should I buy?
Almost any new desktop or laptop computer purchased today from one of the leading computer manufacturers (IBM, Apple, Dell, Compaq, Gateway, etc.) should be more than adequate for basic student use on campus. If your specific needs are more demanding (for example, if you use computer graphics development software, video capture, etc.), or for more information, please visit our computer recommendations page at: http://www.wcsu.edu/technology/recommended.asp

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Is WestConn Wireless?
WestConn offers fast and reliable wireless network access to students, faculty, and staff with data connection speeds of up to 54Mbps in selected locations on the Westside and Midtown campuses. For locations and more information, visit http://www.wcsu.edu/technology/wireless. To use the wireless network, your laptop (or PDA, Pocket PC, tablet, etc.) must be equipped with a wireless network adapter. WestConn’s wireless network supports both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless standards and uses an SSID of “WestConn” for easy connection. You will be prompted to log in using your Windows account credentials.

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How can I use my computer in the Residence Hall (ResNet)?
Any student who owns an Ethernet-ready computer can connect to our residence hall network using an Ethernet cable. Splitters and cables can be obtained at any of our staffed computer centers. Once connected, you will be required to log in using your Windows account credentials, install Clean Access, install a supported anti-virus program, and install critical Windows updates. For more information, please visit http://www.wcsu.edu/resnet.

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I am not very computer savvy. Where can I get help?
The general computer centers, located in room 117 of the Westside Classroom Building and at Midtown on the first floor of the Haas Library, employ student lab assistants who can provide assistance based on their individual knowledge. However, students needing extensive help should visit the Student Technology Training Center (STTC) in room 225 of the Student Center on the Midtown campus. More information about the STTC can be found at: http://www.wcsu.edu/sttc.

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