This article details the technology resources available for those who are working and studying off-campus. Use the Quick Navigation Index to jump to the corresponding information below.
Quick Navigation Index
Remote Desktop Connection
Communication and Collaboration
Office Applications
Information Security
Computer and Network Setup While at Home
Office Computer Remote Access allows you to connect to your Windows office computer from home.
Note: Users will need to request access via OIT and have administrator access to their work PC.
Virtual Desktops allow access to specific software titles, or a generic remote computer instance, via the Remote website or Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection. The following articles will help you connect to a virtual desktop on the Remote Services Server:
Back To Top
Voicemail is available remotely just as it is from campus phones. You will simply need to dial the full number (775-682-9970) then you will be prompted for your name or mailbox number (5-digit extension). Once entered the system will prompt you for your PIN as normal. If you need your voicemail PIN reset, please follow the resetting your PIN instructions.
Back To Top
Teams is the recommend video conferencing tool for administrative and non-instructional meetings. It is available as a desktop program, an online portal, and a phone application. Users can login into any of these methods with their University email and password to start using Teams. Within Teams, users have the ability to communicate by video call, audio call or instant messaging. Communication can be done through channels or chats. Channels are organized as threads, and are typically visible to an entire department. Chats are created by individual users, and can include multiple people.
Signing In and Using Teams
Please see our section on signing into Teams as well as the additional articles in the Sign In and Get Started category.
Teams Calling
We highly recommend the use of Microsoft Teams for internal calling services. Teams is specifically designed for this “remote worker” scenario and provides all essential functions of communication and collaboration in one place, anywhere there is an internet connection. Please see this Start chats and make calls video for more information on how to make calls in Teams.
Note : Teams is currently configured to make Teams to Teams calls
Teams Meetings
For meetings, events, or other non-instructional sessions that require hands-on or a high level of support, Teams may be a better option than Zoom. This can include webinars or web conferencing events. OIT can provide the higher level of support often needed for these events.
Microsoft Teams is the best place to schedule conference calls and meetings whether you are on campus or working remotely. It automatically incorporates accessibility features such as live captions. The process is extremely simple and can be done with either Microsoft Teams or in your Outlook Calendar. Joining an online meeting does not require additional software and can be done in a regular web browser. There are no restrictions on who can join a Teams Meeting making this the best choice for communicating with people outside of our organization. To learn more about setting up Teams Meetings, please see our Microsoft Teams Meetings section of the Knowledge Base.
Additional Information
Back To Top
Zoom is the recommended video conferencing tool for instructional/academic activities including live class sessions, presentations by guest lecturers, instructor office hours, or interactions between students and peers. Zoom allows you to conduct class or hold meetings in a live online format using a web camera and microphone while sharing the contents of your screen. It features the ability to share your screen, a chat function, a virtual whiteboard, breakout rooms for smaller discussions, and allows you to record your sessions.
You can access the Zoom online portal using your NetID and password at https://unr.zoom.us.
Zoom may be used for non-instructional activities, if you so desire. However, Teams may be a better option for meetings, events, or other non-instructional sessions that require hands-on or a high level of support.
Resources
Additional Information
- For information on University of Nevada specific information and troubleshooting please see the Office of Digital Learning's Zoom Web Conferencing page.
- For tutorials on using Zoom to its full extent check out Zoom's Knowledge Base for videos, tutorials, and basic troubleshooting tips.
Back To Top
DocuSign is a cloud based electronic signature system. (Currently, DocuSign is the system used for electronic signatures.)
DocuSign Recipients
Any email address is able to receive a DocuSign envelope. You will receive a DocuSign document in your email inbox from a sender which will prompt you to e-sign the document, no logins required!
DocuSign Senders
To send a DocuSign envelope with the University of Nevada, Reno campus license you must have an @unr.edu email address. To request DocuSign sender rights, please Submit a Ticket. The ticket will route to your dean, director, or department chair for approval before the permissions can be granted. Once you have been granted sender rights you can login with your university email, then NetID and password at https://account.docusign.com/.
Additional Information
DocuSign Training : Recorded training sessions for DocuSign 101 and Template/ Powerform Creation are available on NevadaBox.
Back To Top
NevadaBox (https://box.unr.edu) is a cloud file storage and sharing system for files hosted by Box.com. NevadaBox is the preferred method of cloud storage for collaboration outside of the University.
Access
Users will log into NevadaBox using their NetID and password, however, initial access to NevadaBox is different depending on your role at the University of Nevada.
- Faculty/Staff - If you are a current employee and have an active NetID you are automatically granted a NevadaBox account.
- Students/Student Employees - For access to NevadaBox you must first sign up for an @nevada.unr.edu student email address. Once you have activated your student email please allow up to 24 hours for NevadaBox access.
Additional Information
For additional information and tutorials on how to utilize NevadaBox please see the NevadaBox section of the website.
Back To Top
Formstack Forms is the web form management tool the University uses on the main University website (www.unr.edu). It allows you to build custom online forms which can be embedded or sent out and filled in by participants.
For information on how to request access to Formstack, guidelines on form creation, and additional information please see our Formstack page.
Back To Top
Access
You can access the Office 365 online portal using your University Email and password at https://portal.office.com.
Help and Training
For additional training on use of Office 365 and its products please see Microsoft's extensive support database.
Back To Top
Installation instructions
As part of our campus agreement with Microsoft, the University is able to provide personal use licenses for Microsoft Office 365 which allows for installation of Office programs on personal computers. Please refer to our Microsoft Office 365 user guide for installation instructions.
Back To Top
As more and more people are working from home threat actors are becoming aware of this shift to remote services and are taking advantage of people’s unfamiliarity with systems and protocols. Some examples of this are Universities receiving emails directing professors to fake e-learning platforms, and other threat actors persuading employees to use fake remote desktop and VPN platforms designed to steal credentials.
Please be vigilant about and cautious with any emails you receive:
- Check the sender and the email address: Is it an @unr.edu email address or one you work with regularly? Look for transposition of letters that initially read as the email address you know.
- Think about the likelihood of the request: Have you had previous interactions with this person? How often do you usually interact? Is the request being made one that is usual for these business interactions?
- When there is a link: Is it a site with which you are familiar, such as unr.edu or microsoft.com? Is it one with which you regularly do business in your current duties? Again, look for transposition of letters that initially read as the URL you expect to see.
- Urgent requests for gift cards or money: Is there a special event that your division is hosting that would necessitate this request? Blackmail or gift card requests are nearly always illegitimate.
If you receive an email that seems suspicious or uncertain, please report it to abuse@unr.edu
Should you have any questions about this topic, or anything else related to Information Security, please feel free to email the Information Security department at soc@unr.edu.
Back To Top
Internet2, a non-profit consortium for networking, released an informative article with tips on how to set up your home network to best adapt to working and teaching remotely.
Back To Top
Charter Spectrum is offering free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days to teaching faculty and households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll in this service, call Spectrum at 1-844-488-8395. More information can be found on Spectrum's website.
Spectrum has also opened its WiFi hotspots across the Charter footprint for public use at no charge. Visit Spectrum's website to find information about hotspots near you. Spectrum also has a mobile app available for Apple and Android devices.
If you experience any issues applying for the free broadband internet please submit a ticket for assistance.
The University of Nevada, Reno has partnered with Google to provide Sprint/T-Mobile Hotspots which will allow off-campus Internet connection for individuals learning or working from home. The @One currently has these hotspots available via their Lendable Technology program.
To inquire about these hotspots or for assistance please see the @One Lendable Technology Page.
Back To Top
Another option for offsite connectivity is the use of a cellular hotspot. The University can provide departments and faculty staff assistance in purchasing a cellular hotspot and data plan for an employee to be able to connect a PC, tablet, or mobile device to use a data plan for Internet access. There are several options through the major carriers that can be offered.
For assistance with this service for University purchased hotspots and data plans please submit a ticket.
Back To Top
University owned Windows computers which have been taken off campus are no longer automatically updated with the latest Windows Security and virus definition updates. Please see our page on updating your Windows computer off-campus for information on how to update your computer and how often these updates should be performed. Note: University owned Mac computers do not require manual updates as the updates are pushed automatically by Apple.
Back To Top