Information Technology Services - Computing, Networking and Storage
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Getting Started for Students

As a new student at USC, you will want to use email and Internet services. USC Information Technology Services (ITS) provides these essential resources and helps you use them.

This page will introduce you to a few of the tools and services available to you from ITS. To learn more, go to the ITS home page, email consult@usc.edu, or call the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555.

Core Services
Students at USC receive access to the following information services, among others:

  • Email and antivirus software
  • Internet connection
  • Personal web page space
  • High-speed wireless network
  • High-speed public computers

Your USC Computer Account
You will be able to activate your USC computer account only after you have registered for classes or completed orientation. For instructions, visit www.usc.edu/firstlogin, email consult@usc.edu, or call 213-740-5555.

If you do not have access to a personal computer, visit one of USC's public computing centers and present your USCard at the service desk. You will be directed to one of the center's computers; go to www.usc.edu/firstlogin and follow the instructions.

Internet Connection
For more information about different ways of connecting to the USC network, go to www.usc.edu/connect.

Wireless Network
USC students are able to use USC's high-speed, wireless technology. Most outdoor common areas, libraries, auditoria and eateries, including the University Village Food Court, have been configured for wireless Internet access. New locations are being added continuously. For information about the USC wireless network and the most up-to-date wireless locations on both the University Park and Health Sciences campuses, call 213-740-5555 or visit www.usc.edu/wireless.

Email
You can use your USC account to send, receive and store email. To find out the types of email clients USC supports and instructions on using them, go to www.usc.edu/email or call 213-740-5555.

USC Email Retention Policy
All email that is older than one year will be deleted automatically and permanently from ITS servers. For instructions on how to archive your email, please visit www.usc.edu//its/email/help/localfolders.html . If you would like to speak to an ITS staff member about moving and managing your email, please email consult@usc.edu or call 213-740-5555.

Personal Web Pages
Students receive storage space on a USC server and the option to create and publish a personal page on the web. For more information, go to http://www.usc.edu/its/web or call 213-740-5555.

Software
ITS offers a wide range of software available for free download, for purchase, and for use in USC public computing centers. To learn more, go to http://software.usc.edu or call 213-740-5555.

Computing Centers
USC provides access to nearly 1,000 networked machines on campus, all of which feature high-speed Internet connections and many popular software applications. All services are free, except for printing. You will find machines in the following computing centers:

  • Leavey Library's Information Commons (Lower Level and Second Floor)
  • Waite Phillips Hall of Education (WPH B34)
  • King Olympic Hall (KOH 206)
  • Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL 125)

For updated hours and locations, go to www.usc.edu/pcc or call 213-740-5555.

In addition, many academic units run their own computer labs. Check with academic departments for details.

Customer Support Center
For help with computer applications, connectivity and software, email consult@usc.edu or contact the consultants at the ITS Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555.

24/7 Help
Research and computing assistance is available 24 hours a day during the academic year (except Saturday midnight-Sunday 9 a.m.) in the Leavey Library Information Commons that is located on the lower level.

Documentation and User Guides
ITS offers online computing documentation on a variety of topics at www.usc.edu/its. Printed guides are also available in all public computing centers and libraries.



Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2008, 10:14AM PDT