Information for New Faculty

Welcome to computing at the University of Michigan. You have at your fingertips many wonderful computing resources.

All faculty (including visiting faculty) on the Ann Arbor campus are eligible to receive a standard set of computing services. In most cases, departments make arrangements for access to computing services for new faculty. Check with your departmental administrator to learn more about getting set up and started.

The Basics: Your Uniqname, Password and Computing Services

To tap into U-M's rich computing environment you'll need an ID ("uniqname"), a UMICH password and the standard computing services.

Uniqname

A computing ID at U-M is called a uniqname (pronounced "unique name"). If you are new faculty member, a uniqname has been created for you based on your first and last names. It is public information and is printed on your Mcard along with your full name. You may tell anyone your uniqname because it will be part of your e-mail address. (Your e-mail address is youruniqname@umich.edu)

UMICH password

A UMICH (Kerberos) password has also been created for you. Your password authenticates—or proves that you are you—when you use computing services. Do not tell anyone your password. Keeping your password secret guards against unauthorized use (or misuse) of services in your name. If you forget your UMICH password, contact the ITS Service Center and they will issue you a new one.

Other passwords

Some departments may require additional passwords for use of computing resources they provide. For example, Engineering faculty may get an ENGIN password to use computing services provided by the Computer Aided Engineering Network (CAEN).

Authorized faculty who need access to certain administrative data systems will be given special IDs and passwords to access those systems. Many departments also issue passwords for applications and functions running on departmentally-managed systems. For security reasons, it's usually a good idea to use a different password for each different function.

Standard Computing Services

ITS provides a basic set of computing services at no charge to all faculty on the Ann Arbor campus. Service levels are fixed and provided on a per-term basis, with terms being defined as four-month periods beginning in January, May and September. Individuals who use more than the quotas provided may do so but will be charged for the additional use.

The computing services include a uniqname and UMICH password, e-mail, laser printing in the Campus Computing Sites, file storage on the Institutional File System (IFS), MCommunity Directory, Login Service, Statistics and Computation Service and help desk assistance with these services. Learn more about the standard computing services.

If you have questions about gaining access to the standard computing services, contact the ITS Service Center. If you have questions about using these services (e-mail, printing and more), the consultants at the Service Center should be able to assist you.

More Resources for Faculty

Here are a few other resources that may be of interest to you as a new U-M faculty member:

You can manage your personal directory information and e-mail forwarding in the MCommunity Directory. Select the "Log In" link at the top right of the page to make changes to your directory profile. For more information, see Managing Your Profile in the MCommunity Directory.
Need to set up a secure class e-mail group? ITS offers a listserv option: a "members-only" e-mail group, ideal for class discussions. The Listserver Service is provided at no cost. See E-Mail Groups & Listservs for more information.
Instructional Technology resources abound at the University of Michigan. Check out UM CourseTools, the Digital Media Commons, the Knowledge Navigation Center, and the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, to name but a few.
See the ITS Faculty & Researcher Guide for more computing resources