Technology

Technology for New Students and Staff at Illinois State University

Last modified 10/5/2023

Welcome to Illinois State University!

As a new student or employee at Illinois State University, there are a number of technology resources available to you.

Personal Information

  • Your UID Number

All students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State are assigned University Identification Numbers, or UID Numbers. Your unique, nine-digit number identifies you at the University. Your UID Number is used in place of your Social Security number for all internal University services.

  • Your Redbird Card

Your UID Number is displayed on your Redbird Card. Transfer students, new faculty, and new staff should pick a Redbird Card from the Redbird Card Office on the first floor of the Bone Student Center. Incoming freshmen get their Redbird Cards (and learn their UID Numbers) during Preview: Freshman Summer Orientation.

  • Your ULID and Password

Everyone at Illinois State University has a University Logon ID, or ULID. Your ULID is your user name; use it to log on to electronic resources offered on campus. Your ULID is generated based on your name. You must activate your ULID account before you can use it.

Email at Illinois State University

  • Email

You can find out more about your email in the following article:

  • Spam Email

Illinois State reduces spam by blocking known spammers and by running anti-spam protection, which traps known spam emails before they are delivered. Suspected spam is flagged and delivered to your Junk folder.

  • Phishing Scams and Identity Theft

Phishing scams try to trick you into giving away your personal information. Be skeptical about emails you receive, and contact the Technology Support Center if you are at all suspicious. Illinois State will never ask you to send your password through email.

Internet Access at Illinois State University

Students, faculty, and staff can access the Internet in a number of ways at Illinois State.

Internet Options

  • Wireless

Wireless at Illinois State is ubiquitous and works with Windows and Mac OS X laptops, as well as iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and other mobile devices. The steps for connecting to wireless vary by device and by network.

  • ResNet

Students living in the residence halls, including Cardinal Court have access to the Internet through ResNet. When logging on to ResNet, students will use their ULID and password. Personal wireless routers, printers, hubs, and other network devices are not allowed on the campus network.

  • VPN from Off Campus

A VPN connection is required from off campus when connecting to internal resources at the University. 

  • Computer Labs

Open computer labs are available in Milner Library, the Center for Visual Arts, and the State Farm Hall of Business. In addition, departmental labs provide a combined 2000 computers to students in designated majors.

  • File Sharing

BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks are blocked on ResNet, campus wireless, and on public data ports. The University intends to limit the number of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complains it receives. Students who have a legitimate need for P2P access can request an exception.

Technology Services at Illinois State University

Members of the University have access to a variety of technology services designed to assist students, faculty, and staff in their academic pursuits and in their jobs. 

Technology Services

  • My.IllinoisState.edu

My.IllinoisState.edu provides students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State with personalized information and links to resources that matter to them. Email, course registration, grades, transcripts, announcements, policies, campus news and events, payroll, employee forms, and more can be found through this web portal.

  • ISU Emergency Alerts

Sign up for ISU Emergency Alerts to receive notifications about emergencies on or near campus that threaten health and safety. You can choose to have ISU Emergency Alerts sent to your mobile phone as voice or text messages, and you can specify an alternate email address where you’d like notifications sent.

  • Tech Alerts

Visit the Tech Alerts website to get info about technology issues and phishing emails affecting campus. Subscribe to Tech Alerts to get email and text message notifications. You can also stay up to date by joining the ISU IT Help on Facebook.

  • Canvas

Canvas is Illinois State University's learning management system (LMS). Instructors can use Canvas to host online quizzes, assignments, and course materials for their classes. Students may be required to use Canvas for their courses. 

  • uPrint Mobile Printing

Print from anywhere on campus with uPrint. Print via the uPrint web site or from the mobile app. You can then pick up and pay for your print jobs at any of the convenient uPrint locations found throughout campus. All students receive $6.00 in print allowance to use at uPrint stations each academic year.

  • Software Downloads

Download software from the Support Center website, Software Center website, and TechZone. Illinois State hosts software it has licensed for its constituents and links to recommended software available through external sites. Some of the software includes Cisco AnyConnect VPN client, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Avira (Mac anti-malware application), and more!

  • Software at an Educational Price

Software is available at reduced educational pricing through TechZone. Located in the Bone Student Center, TechZone has software which can be purchased by members of Illinois State. The software licensing office, which is also located within the TechZone, handles software distribution for faculty and staff as well.

Technical Support at Illinois State University

Illinois State offers a number of ways for its constituents to get help with technology-related problems and questions. Some support services are available to all members of the University, and some are department-specific.

Technical Support

  • Technology Support Center

The Support Center provides support to all students, faculty, staff, and retirees at the University. Visit the Help Center knowledge base to find answers to technology questions and to get solutions to problems. The Support Center is available Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Our office is open for walk-ups Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Submit Issues

You can submit issues to the Support Center for problems related to the campus network, email, your ULID account, and more. The Track My Issues & Requests section of the Support Center website allows you to view your open and closed Incidents, and you can add updates to your open cases as well.

  • TechZone

TechZone offers reduced prices on name-brand computers like Lenovo, Apple, Dell, and HP to students, faculty and staff. Through a partnership with the Support Center, you can also get walk-up support without an appointment through the TechZone Service Center.

  • Registrar Service Center

The Registrar Service Center provides assistance to students as they register for classes. The staff in the Registrar Service Center can help you make changes to your class schedule, process name changes, and more.


  • Learning Spaces and A/V Technologies

The Learning Spaces and A/V Technologies team provides a full range of audio/visual equipment for faculty and staff to use in classrooms. They provide training, demonstrations, and presentation support for the campus community. Faculty and staff can contact Classroom Support to reserve equipment to use in their classes.

  • Phone: 309-438-7412
  • Location: Nelson Smith 207

  • Center for Integrated Professional Development

The Center for Integrated Professional Development helps members of the campus community pursue innovation and excellence in their instructional, scholarly, and professional goals. They assist individuals in making informed choices about whether to use technology and how best to apply it.

  • Departmental Technical Support

Faculty and staff office computers and work-related tasks are supported by their department’s technical support staff. To find out who provides your department with support, please contact your main office or visit Departmental Teams at Illinois State University

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