IT Services for Faculty and Staff

We have designed this section specifically for employees of Okanagan College – to provide you with the information you need to make the best use of the many facilities and services available to you.

Okanagan College is a vibrant institution that places a high priority on the application of technology in learning and we, in IT Services, are committed to providing key technical services and support for our employees.

As a member of the College community, your access to the network and computing resources of Okanagan College is a privilege. You are required to use computing and information resources responsibly and to guard against abuses.  Please review our policy regarding Responsible and Appropriate Use of IT Resources.

Novell (Network) Account

In order to access computer and printing services on campus, you will be required to login using your Novell ID and Password.

Your Novell ID is generally your FirstInitialLastName - i.e. Jane Doe would be:  jdoe

Novell accounts are created by IT Services when requested by the originating department via the online IT Account Maintenance Request.
 
Any problems with your account should be reported to the IT Services Helpdesk.

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myOkanagan Account

myOkanagan is the Okanagan College Web Portal which will provide you with quick and easy access to many essential web based services from any internet connected computer.  These services include:

• myOkanagan E-mail (firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca)
• Your Teaching Schedule
• Personal Information
• Finance (F.A.S.T.) Information
• BANNER Access
• Course Advising Tools
• Online Service Requests
• Online Purchase Requests
• Access to Blackboard
• Access to the OC Wireless Network
• Reports and Manuals
• Form and Policy Library
• Online Groups

Your myOkanagan ID is your 9 digit OC Employee Number and your default password is your birth date in mmddyy format.   The first time you log into myOkanagan, you will be asked to agree to the Responsible and Appropriate Use of IT Resources policy, and will have to change your password from the default value.

Problems with your myOkanagan account should be reported to the IT Services Helpdesk.

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Microsoft Exchange (Email) Account

Microsoft Exchange is the email system implemented at Okanagan College. 

Your exchange email accounts gives you access to your email, calendar, and other collaborative tools via Outlook (or other mail program) as well as:

• Okanagan College Webmail
• Okanagan College VPN (for remote access of shared resources)
• Access to Windows Networks at Okanagan College

Your Exchange ID is generally in the format:  FirstInitialLastName  (i.e. Jane Doe would be: jdoe)

Your Okanagan College Email Address is:  exchangeID@okanagan.bc.ca

Exchange accounts are created by IT Services when requested by the originating department via the online IT Account Maintenance Request.. 

Any questions or problems related to your Exchange account should be directed to the IT Services Helpdesk.

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Sungard Banner Account

Banner is the administrative software system implemented by Okanagan College.  It is used for the administration of almost all College business.

IT Services is responsible for the maintenance and implementation of the Banner System at Okanagan College including user account security.

Requests for access to Banner and it's associated modules should be made via the online IT Account Maintenance Request, and must be approved by a Manager.

Questions or problems related to the Banner system should be directed to the IT Services Helpdesk.

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FAST Finance Reporting

FAST Finance Reporting provides decentralized self service financial reporting for authorized users, allowing fully supported, drill down access to all accounts for that user. Reports include relevant, timely information for actuals, commitments and budgets, showing where money is being spent and how it compares to approved budget amounts.

IT Services provides access to the system via myOkanagan.   Account security is maintained by the Finance department.

Any questions or issues regarding access to the FAST Finance Reporting System should directed to the IT Services Helpdesk.  Questions regarding access to particular account codes should be directed to the Finance and Corporate Services Department.

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Blackboard Account

Blackboard is the learning management system (LMS) implemented at Okanagan College.  Blackboard is used to supplement face-to-face instruction and to deliver course materials via the internet using a web browser.  Features include:

• course content management and delivery
• communication (course e-mail, chat, bulletin board)
• collaboration (student projects and presentations)
• assessment and evaluation
• course administration and electronic grade management

To access Blackboard, first log in to myOkanagan (see above) then click the link for Blackboard My Courses.

Blackboard accounts are created automatically for students once they register in a course and for Faculty once they are assigned as a course instructor.

Online tutorials on how to use the various tools in Blackboard are available on the edtech eLearning page.

Problems or questions regarding WebCT should be directed to the IT Services Helpdesk.

Depending on the requirements of your position at Okanagan College, you may or may not have access to all of these account types.

This list of account types is not exhaustive - any problems or questions regarding these or any other IT related accounts should be directed to the IT Services Helpdesk.

Employees and students may access the Internet on campus via the campus-wide wireless network using their own computer or appropriately equipped College computers.

Wireless access requires that you authenticate your identity using your myOkanagan login credentials.  Please note that if you change your myOkanagan password, you must also use the new password to access the wireless network.

• Connecting to the Wireless Network

We offer:

• group workshops
• personalized just-in-time training
• instructional design support
• resource development
• learning technology research

The AskUs Online Help System is packed with information, documentation and tools to help students with their computer, software and connecting to the campus network and online services. This resource is available around the clock, and should be the FIRST PLACE you look for assistance.

The Okanagan College IT Services Helpdesk staff are dedicated to assisting students and staff with their computer related problems. Help can be found at:

• AskUs Online Help System 
• IT Services Helpdesk
  • By Phone - Extension 4444 or Toll-Free 1-866-839-4032
  • In Person (Kelowna only) - Room L104 Centre for Learning
  • Via Electronic Mail
  • Hours of Operation
    • Summer Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (May 1-August 31, excluding holidays)
    • Regular Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Excluding holidays)

Service Requests
Service Requests for all IT related issues should be submitted online via the Okanagan College Service Request System.  Please note that this system requires that you first login to myOkanagan to authenticate your identity. 

This system should be used for all general IT Related issues including:

• Hardware/Software Problems
• Printing
• Novell and Windows Networks
• Audio Visual Equipment
• Internet and Web Access
• Telephones (Standard and Cell Phones, Long Distance PINS, etc.)
• Administrative Software (Banner, OC Express, FAST, SARMS, etc.)
• Email
• Computer Labs
• Okanagan College and other hosted Websites
• Network wiring and infrastructure

If you are unable to submit a request online, or have questions/problems with respect to submitting a request, please contact the IT Services Helpdesk at local 4444.

Hardware repairs
IT Services  does not provide hardware repairs or replacements for staff owned desktop or laptop computers. We can often assist (as time permits) in diagnosing a specific problem or hardware failure, but the actual repairs must be performed by the original manufacturer (check your computer warranty to see if the system is still covered) or by a local repair shop.

Software help
We provide limited "how to" information on specific software applications, but will research your questions as time allows. You may want to review the documentation or technical support web sites for the software vendor for more assistance in the use of individual applications.  You may also submit your questions directly to the AskUs Online Help System.