New Student Technology Guide

• Password Reset is used to access Self Service Password Reset to change your existing password or create your initial password.

• All Northwest students, faculty and staff are issued a Northwest Email account via Microsoft's Office 365. 
  • Account size/storage space is determined by Microsoft and therefore is subject to change.
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into Northwest Email.

The Northwest Technology Service Center and the University will never ask you to submit your personal information like login credentials in an email!  Even if the email looks legitimate, it is a scam!  Watch our Phishing Video to learn how to protect yourself!

• Northwest Online (also known as Canvas) allows online access to, among other things:
  • Class syllabuses
  • Class assignments
  • Class exams
  • Class announcements
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into Northwest Online.

• CatPAWS is a web-based program that allows you to, among other things:
  • Enroll in classes
  • Add/Drop classes
  • View housing assignment
  • View student employment electronic time sheet and tax information
  • View financial assistance
  • View your course schedule and unofficial transcript
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into CatPAWS.

• The myNorthwest web portal is a central location for you to access, among other things:
  • Student announcements
  • Student events and important dates
  • Advisement scheduling through Northwest Success 360
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into myNorthwest.

• BearcatLink is a portal for locating information on student organizations and managing organization memberships.
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into BearcatLink.

• Northwest Successes 360 is the official academic advising and student success platform at Northwest.
• Students can schedule appointments with their advisor, faculty and other success team personnel.
• Students can also review course history and connect to campus resources.
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into Northwest Success 360.

• TracCloud is used to schedule tutoring sessions with the Student Success Center and the Writing Center.
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into TracCloud.

• Degree Audit allows you to:
  
  • View your unofficial transcript
  • Check degree completion progress
  • Calculate your GPA based on current courses
• You will use your Northwest Network Account to log into Degree Audit.

All University online services, including CatPAWS, can be accessed from:

• Bearcat Login

understanding Login credentials

Northwest Email FAQ

• All students attending Northwest classes on campus are provided with a University-owned, wireless-ready laptop computer.
  • Northwest laptop models may vary between students depending on availability and  enrollment status.
• When using Northwest equipment, network(s), online accounts and services, you are agreeing to abide by Northwest Technology Policies.

• Northwest-issued laptops have standardized University-licensed software to set students up for academic success.
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Office 365

• The Northwest-issued laptop and its accessories can be picked up and returned to the Northwest Technology Service Center (NTSC), which is located in the Jon T. Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center (ECSC).
• You must initial the Northwest Laptop Agreement prior to laptop pickup.
  • The laptop agreement is located in the Personal Information menu within CatPAWS.
• You must have your Bearcat ID card with you to pick up your laptop.

• All repairs of Northwest-issued laptops for normal day wear-and-tear or software failure are free-of-charge.
  • A few, select hardware repairs incur cost sharing fees.
• All repairs of Northwest-issued laptops must be done at the Northwest Technology Service Center.
• You may not remove the exterior casing or upgrade the internal components of your Northwest-issued laptop.
  • See Northwest Technology Policies.
• Adding hardware (peripherals/dongles) like mass storage devices, docking stations, monitors, etc., is allowed.
  • Hardware must not negatively impact the Northwest network(s) or violate Northwest Technology Policies.
• You can customize your laptop with personal stickers.  However, you must remove all personal stickers and adhesive residue prior to returning the laptop or a fee will be incurred.

• The Northwest Technology Service Center is not responsible for backing up personal files.
• The NTSC does not provide file storage hardware.
• The NTSC strongly recommends that you back up (make copies) of all important files on your Northwest-issued laptop (as well as other personally-owned computing devices).
  • Suggestions for backup storage:
    • Microsoft OneDrive (Office 365) 
      • A personal file storage provided with your Northwest Email account. Allows you to store personal files such as music, video, graphics/images and other data including Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets.
    • Legitimate file storage services like Dropbox.com and Google Drive
    • Portable external hard drive
    • USB Flash drives

View with suspicion all unknown online services, advertisements or unsolicited emails or phone calls claiming that they can back up your files for a fee or requesting to put a credit card on file.  Usually it is a scam!

• You have administrative rights on your Northwest-issued laptop.
• You can install personally-purchased software for course work and personal entertainment.
  • Software must not negatively impact the Northwest network(s) or violate Northwest Technology Policies.
• You can not change the Northwest-provided operating system (OS).

• You should consider insuring your Northwest-issued laptop (along with other personal devices that you bring to campus) in case of major damage or loss due to such things as fire, flood, theft or vandalism.
  • Northwest does not provide laptop insurance or endorse any insurance provider.  

Northwest Laptops FAQ

• Personal printers are allowed but not necessary at Northwest.
  • The vast majority of assignments and exams are submitted electronically and thus, are paperless.
• University networked printers are available most everywhere on campus such as the front desk of each residence hall and in public spaces like B.D. Owens Library and the Station.
  • • Printing to a University networked printer does not require payment at time of printing.  In short, there are no up-front costs associated with printing.
    • Users who print to a campus networked printer are auto-billed by their login credentials for the size of their print job.
      • Black and white printing is 10 cents per page.
      • You will typically see your specific printing charges appear on your University bill the next business day.
• Personal printers are allowed only on the Northwest wired network.

• Wired switches and hubs are allowed on the wired Northwest network.

• Routers that are not owned and operated by Northwest are not allowed to connect to either the wired or wireless Northwest networks.
  • You will be in violation of Northwest Technology Policies if you use a router in your residence hall.

• Webcams are allowed on the Northwest wired and wireless networks.
• Video conferencing messaging applications are allowed on the campus wired and wireless networks.

• The Northwest Technology Service Center (NTSC) does not maintain, repair or provide software or software licenses for personally purchased, non-University-provided computing equipment or other communication and entertainment devices.

• The Northwest Technology Service Center (NTSC) is responsible for maintaining a stable wireless and wired network in all campus buildings (where warranted) and in all residence halls.
• The NTSC is also responsible for ethernet ports that connect successfully to the Northwest wired network.
• The NTSC will assist with helping you to successfully do the following with your personally-owned computing and communication devices if you have active Northwest Network Account login credentials:
  • • Connect to Northwest Wi-Fi
    • Connect to the Northwest wired network
    • Print to a networked printer
    • Set up Northwest Email on smartphone

Northwest is not responsible or liable for the loss or damage to personally-owned devices brought to campus and does not provide insurance for such devices.  If you are interested in obtaining insurance, the NTSC has (as a courtesy) provided a list of known and legitimate vendors who have previously provided Northwest students with personal equipment protection.  See more information on these vendors^* on the Northwest Laptops webpage.

^*Northwest is not affiliated with insurance vendors and does not endorse any insurance vendor or plan.

Northwest Wi-Fi FAQ

Gaming Console FAQ

Tech Help Hours