About UAB IT UAB IT Announces VMWare Academic Program availability for STEM Courses
UAB IT Announces VMWare Academic Program Access for UAB STEM Programs
The VMware Academic Program, provided as a service to the UAB STEM Community through UAB IT, accelerates instruction and research in the rapidly expanding area of virtualized infrastructure by providing faculty and students involved with science, technology, engineering, and math courses (STEM) with access to the virtualization technologies most widely used in commercial production environments. Access to the VMWare Academic Program is through an external webportal managed by UAB IT.
For more information about the program guidelines/licensing and logon instructions click here.
Student Quicklinks
STUDENT QUICKLINKS & CONTACTS
2012-2013 Academic Year
UAB Information Technology strives to provide consistent, accessible, personalized and collaborative environments to enhance the student experience. The quicklinks below provide a ‘get-started’ list of the most common services students ask about. For even more information and resources available to the student community visit uab.edu/it/students.
BlazerID and Password
Most of UAB's secured online resources require you to log in using your BlazerID and password. You probably already have a BlazerID; however, if you are not sure or if you need to change your password, you can visit BlazerID Central at uab.edu/blazerid.
BlazerNet
Using your BlazerID and password, log into BlazerNet, UAB's student portal - uab.edu/blazernet. From there you will be able to link to class registration, grades, financial aid and other academic resources.
Your UAB e-mail address (
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) can be forwarded to any UAB-hosted e-mail account. To check or update your e-mail preferences, visit BlazerID Central at uab.edu/blazerid. To register a UAB Microsoft Exchange Account, click “Get A UAB E-Mail Account” on the left side of the web page.
UAB Microsoft Exchange
This service, which is available at no cost to all active students, provides up to 1GB of mail storage. You can access your Exchange account with any Microsoft Outlook client or through the web by visiting the following website: mail.ad.uab.edu. For help with client configuration, visit the FAQ link: uab.edu/it/email.
File Size & UAB Dropbox
Your mailbox has 1GB of space, and the size limit for attachments is 30MB. Large attachments should be sent via the UAB Drop Box at uab.edu/dropbox.
Wireless Networks
Stay connected on campus by accessing the UAB WiFi network using your BlazerID and password: uab.edu/wireless.
Mobile Users
Have an Apple or Android mobile device? Download the free UAB Mobile app which provides access to class schedules, maps, Campus Directory, news and athletics, and Blackboard Mobile Learn: uab.edu/app.
Online Classroom/Blackboard
Online courses are available via UAB’s online classroom, Blackboard (log in with your BlazerID and password at uab.edu/bb). For support, check out the Blackboard self-help options at uab.edu/bblearn/student-support. Students generally have access to their specific Blackboard courses on the first day of the term, but faculty may arrange for earlier or later access.
Recommended System Specifications & Computer Setup
UAB IT provides recommendations on computer specifications for Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows PC laptop and desktop systems, and guidance on how to prepare your computer for use at UAB (before you arrive on campus). Visit uab.edu/it/students and select from the available resources for more detail.
Software & Computers
UAB IT offers an extensive library of software for free or at discounted pricing, including antivirus software, Microsoft Office products and more. Through UAB's relationship with Dell, many computer products are available at a discount to students (and parents on behalf of students). Visit uab.edu/it/students and select from the available resources for more detail.
Computer Labs
UAB maintains several student computing labs which are open to all current students with a valid BlazerID. For locations and hours, visit uab.edu/it/labs.
Campus Directory
The online directory contains contact information for students, faculty, staff and all UAB entities: uab.edu/directory.
Higher Education Opportunity Act & Digital Rights Compliance
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) includes provisions to reduce the illegal uploading and downloading of copyrighted works through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing of movies, videos, music, etc. More information, including how UAB detects and responds to illegal downloading activity, can be found at uab.edu/it/heoa.
IT Policies
Individuals who use UAB technology resources are required to read the Acceptable Use Policy in its entirety. This and other IT policies, standards and best practices can be found on the UAB IT website: uab.edu/it/policies.
Help Desk
For support with all things IT contact AskIT, UAB's IT help desk. Many self-help articles and FAQs are available on the AskIT website. To access the FAQs, open a ticket or chat with an agent visit uab.edu/askit, or call AskIT at 205-996-5555. Hours of operation vary and are posted on the website.
eNotify
Students can register their cell phone for various notifications from around campus. From notifications about postings in Blackboard, to reminders about registration deadlines, to being able to reset your BlazerID password remotely (24x7)...it all starts with registering your cell phone and selecting which services you want to take advantage of. Visit uab.edu/enotify and sign up today.
VMWare Academic Software
The VMware Academic Program, provided as a service to the UAB STEM Community through UAB IT, accelerates instruction and research in the rapidly expanding area of virtualized infrastructure by providing faculty and students involved with science, technology, engineering, and math courses (STEM) with access to the virtualization technologies most widely used in commercial production environments.
- STEM Faculty can use VMware software under specific usage guidelines in a variety of areas of academic research and classroom instruction.
- STEM Students can use this software free of charge for one year with yearly renewals as part of qualified coursework or research projects.
Microsoft Dreamspark
Microsoft Dreamspark Premium is now available to all UAB STEM programs at no cost. The Dreamspark program supports technical education by providing access to Microsoft software for learning, teaching and research purposes for faculty & students engaged in a STEM program (science, technology, engineering, math). UAB will be working to make a limited selection of products available to non-STEM programs, but current access to the Dreamspark products is for STEM programs only. For more guidelines on the appropriate rights for installation and use of products under the Dreamspark program click here.
According to Microsoft "DreamSpark is simple: it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and designer tools at no cost so that students can chase their dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on their career." While most of the software is free, some items are at a small cost and if ordered you must provide a valid form of payment. However, those fee-based products should not be required as part of any course at UAB.
DreamSpark helps educators teach the latest technologies and experiment in research. To make learning more motivating, relevant, and engaging for today's students requires a diverse set of resources. DreamSpark gives educators the resources to ensure their classrooms always have the latest technologies to challenges, motivate, and keep students engaged in new ways.
Access to the Dreamspark program is through an external webportal managed by UAB IT. Login using your BlazerID and strong password (don't worry, the authentication takes place using a secure connection back to UAB...your password is never provided to the external website).
NOTE: While anyone with a valid BlazerID can login to the Dreamspark site, only those students and faculty engaged in a STEM program are currently authorized to order/download any software. Your ability to participate in the program is based on the information UAB passes to Dreamspark during the login process.
Step 1: Get Started Here >>> Order Now - DREAMSPARK Website (see instructions below...login using Single-Sign-on option)
Step 2: Click Sign-in (top right)
Step 3: Sign In using your BlazerID via Single Sign-On (box on the left)
Blackboard & Tools Support
For support with Blackboard and related technology tools please visit the full Blackboard Learn site at www.uab.edu/bblearn
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to Enlarge)Blackboard & Tools Support
For support with Blackboard and related technology tools please visit the Blackboard Learn site at www.uab.edu/bblearn
Clickers - Audience Response System
Student Public Computing Stations
Digital Copyright Compliance - HEOA
Digital Copyright Compliance / HEOA Compliance
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) includes provisions to reduce the illegal uploading and downloading of copyrighted works through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. UAB's policy concerning such copyright and licensing violations can be found in the Acceptable Use of Computer and Network Resources document. The specific, applicable example of a violation from that policy document is:
"Copyright and licensing violations including, but not limited to, providing or obtaining illegal copies of software or digital media (movies, videos, music, etc.) for which legal permission to distribute or possess has not been granted."
Detection and Response
In an effort to comply with HEOA and effectively combat the unauthorized distribution of materials by users of the UAB network, UAB blocks many peer-to-peer protocols primarily associated with copyright infringement. When UAB IT receives a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notification indicating unauthorized copying of material, UAB IT disables the associated network port and/or wireless connection and notifies the affected user or department. In order to re-enable the network port UAB requires violators to meet with an IT Help Desk representative to discuss the offense and the impact of the violation. Violators are required to bring their system to the Help Desk to ensure that all relevant file sharing software and infringing content has been removed
On subsequent infringement notices, students are referred to the Office of Non-academic Student Conduct. Network access is blocked until we get approval from the Office of Non-academic Student Conduct. Employees are referred to their appropriate departmental management for handling.
Alternative (Legal) Online Sources for Copyrighted Materials
Many legal sources exist for copyrighted material such as movies and music - some are free and others are for-fee. UAB's Mervyn H. Sterne Library maintains a website of Legal Media Downloads with links to many of the sites. They are provided only as a resource and no endorsement is intended for any of the listed sites.
Links to Related Policies
- Acceptable Use of Computer and Network Resources
- Non-Academic Student Conduct
- Other IT Related Policies
