Classroom FAQ - Classroom Support and Instructional Technical Services

How do I obtain access to my classroom?
Access to General Purpose Classrooms on Oakland University's main campus is controlled via "Z4" keys. A "Z4" key may be obtained by presenting your Oakland University faculty or staff identification card at the CSITS Equipment Distribution service window located at 116 Varner Hall. For security reasons, absolutely no exceptions will be made in regards to the identification card requirement. Once your key has been issued, it is yours to keep for your time with us at Oakland University--you may keep it until your relationship with the university ends. If you are unable to furnish your key at the time of completion of your service with us, there will be a $5.00 charge incurred in order to replace the missing key.

What resources are available in my classroom?
All General Purpose Classrooms are equipped with a classroom computer, document camera, monitoring speaker, audio switching device, Hitachi StarBoard digital whiteboard disply device, an overhead data projector, and combination VHS/DVD player--all connected to an easy-to-operate Extron switching controller. Also included at each instructor workstation is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction guide which will assist you in getting familiar with the equipment. We also offer group training on how to operate the equipment in General Purpose Classrooms at the start of each semester, or you may schedule an individual training session with one of our friendly staff members by making an appointment through our help desk--either in person at 116 Varner Hall or by telephone at (248) 370-2461. To see exactly how a specific room is configured, you may use the Classroom Resources tool by clicking this link.

How do I login to a classroom computer?
All users of Oakland University classrooms are required to login using an OU ADMNET account and password in order to use the computer resources that are housed in the classrooms. The CSITS helpdesk is NOT responsible for providing login credentials for ANY users of university computer resources--these are provided by University Technology Services (x4357). Access to university computing resources is governed by policy #890 which can be found from the Oakland University Policies and Guidelines page.

Which software titles are available in my classroom?
The current list of installed software packages for all CSITS classrooms is availbe here.

I need to use a software package that is not installed in my classroom--what can I do?
Each classroom has a connection for your mobile computer--if you have a VGA output, then you can connect your computer to the classroom system and display your computer's output to your audience. If you have a university computer in your office here on campus, then you can use Remote Desktop functionality to demonstrate software that you have installed there. If neither of the previous two solutions will suffice, then you may submit a request for software installation to the CSITS team. You must have verifiable proof that your software license allows for its installation in the environment that you are requesting. Software installation requests are due to CSITS by exactly two weeks prior to the start of a given semester. CSITS guarantees that requests properly submitted by this date will be available for your first day of class; requests submitted beyond this date will be processed on an availability basis.

The Auto-Play menu does not appear when I insert my USB flash disk--how do I access my files?
For security reasons, all General Purpose Classroom computers have Auto-Play disabled. To access your files, insert your flash disk in an available USB port--the system will mount your disk after a brief moment, then you may access it from the "My Computer" icon on the Desktop. Your USB flash disk should appear with a drive letter under "Devices with Removable Storage", where you may right-click on "Explore" to navigate the drive to access your media.

How may I schedule training?
You may schedule an individual training session with one of our friendly staff members by making an appointment through our help desk--either in person at 116 Varner Hall or by telephone at (248) 370-2461.

How do I report an equipment outage?
CSITS uses Footprints--the same trouble reporting service used by University Technology Services and e-Learning and Instructional Support. To report an outage, open a browser to http://help.oakland.edu and login with your NetID credentials. Once logged-in, select "Oakland University CSITS Helpdesk" from the "workspace" dropdown box in the upper-right corner of the screen. Next, select "New Ticket" from the main menu and fill out the form that populates. Be sure to provide a clear, concise summary and a detailed description of the problem. The CSITS team will receive your reported outage and dispatch the appropriate team to resolve the issue as the room may be accessed.

How do I contact someone for help?
The CSITS Help Desk is staffed each weekday between the hours of 7AM and 9PM and Saturdays between 8AM and 5PM--simply give us a call at (248) 370-2461 and we'll be happy to assist you however we can. The Help Desk telephone number may also be found on a sticker on the chalk/white board at the head of each classroom, on the Desktop wallpaper of each General Purpose Classroom computer, and on the step-by-step classroom equipment instruction guide at each instructor workstation. For non-emergencies, we may also be reached via email at csits@oakland.edu.