This is your one stop reference guide to university technology information for students. Learn how to create your computer account, update your email address, connect your devices, and more.
New to campus? Watch the video below for a walk-through of the Student Technology Guide.
Before you start classes:
Step 1: Read the VIU Technology Policy
As a new VIU student, it is important that you understand how to use the university technology safely and appropriately. Please read the below Use of Information Technology policy before using campus technology including computers and campus wireless access.
Use of Information Technology (Policy 45.01) (pdf)
Step 2: Create your student computer account
Every student at VIU will have TWO accounts:
- Your student Registration Account. This account is only used to log in to your student record.
- Your student Computer Account. Your student computer account grants access to VIU services including campus computers, campus wireless, VIULearn (D2L) online course content, print services, file storage, library services, and more.
Create your student account using the: student computer account creation tool
NOTE: Make sure to follow all the instructions on the page. You will need to know your student record password. If you do not know your student record password, follow the instructions at the 'student computer account creation tool'.
Watch the video below for a visual demonstration of creating your student computer account.
Where can I find help with this?
How do I create my student computer account?
Step 3: Update your email address and create a VIU email address
Update Your Email Address
It is very important that the email address in your student record is current because VIU uses that email address to contact you about all your course work and your registration information.
Where can I find help with this?
Log in to your student record to update your email address.
Create a Student Virtual Email Address
You can also create an @stumail.viu.ca virtual email to receive emails. Emails sent to your VIU virtual email will be forwarded to the email associated with your student record.
Where can I find help with this?
How do I create a student virtual email address?
Step 4: Protect your computer, data, and identity
Anyone's computer can get a virus. Before you use your computer on campus, take some initial steps to protect your computer, your data, and your identity.
Where can I find out more?
Visit our computer security page for more information on keeping your computer up to date, installing antivirus software, protecting your password, and backing up your files: Computer Security for On and Off Campus
Step 5: Get technology and Microsoft Office
Step 6: Brush up on your computer skills
Almost every course you take will require you to have some comfort using a computer. Whether you are required to type essays and research papers, create spreadsheets, or use special software such as VIULearn (D2L), your instructors will expect you to be able to do these things comfortably. It is a really good idea to take some time before you start school to brush up on your computer skills.
Step 7: Familiarize yourself with VIULearn
At VIU, faculty may choose to use the online learning management system, VIULearn (D2L) to offer or supplement courses.
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Use your student number as the username and your computer account password (not your student record password) as the password.
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Note: You will not be able to log into VIULearn until 24 hours after you register for your first class.
Where can I find help with this?
VIULearn Student Support
Step 8: Pick up your VIU Student ID card
You will need a VIU Student ID card to access the Library Commons and for printing.
Where can I find out more?
VIU ID for Students
After you start classes:
Step 1: Connect to VIU's wireless network
The wireless network is available nearly anywhere on campus, and you can log in to VIU-Secure using your student number as the username and your computer account password.
Where can I find help with this?
How do I connect my device to VIU-SECURE?
Step 2: Find software and locate computer labs
Software
- Some software is available for free download or by using Student Online Software Access. Some software titles can only be accessed on campus or through other means. The Software at VIU page provides a complete list of software and how to access.
Computer Labs
VIU has computers for student use located all over campus. All computers come installed with Windows, Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Office.
- For computer lab location and availability, visit Where are computer labs located?
- The Library Commons features over 60 computer workstations. In the library commons, there are three Media stations, two Video Editing suites, and three accessibility stations that may be booked online by VIU students and employees. Book these computers through the VIU Library website.
Step 3: Print your work
VIU has printers conveniently located all over campus in computer labs and in the library commons. You can print to these printers from lab computers and from your personal laptop. Check out the link below to learn how to add funds to your account, send print jobs, and more.
Note: Before you can print, you will need to add funds to your account.
Where can I find help with this?
- For information on how to add funds to your account, how to send a print job, where printers are located, and additional printing services visit this page: How Does Student Printing Work?
Step 4: Know where to save your files (U Drive)
All VIU students have 10 GB of free private storage that's accessible from any campus computer. It is very important when logged on to a campus computer, that you use this storage space. Do NOT save your files on your Desktop or in your My Documents folder.
To access your U drive on a VIU computer: Click on the folder icon in the Windows taskbar. In the left margin, select "Computer" or "This PC". The U drive should be listed here.
Stop emailing yourself the document you are currently working on to use on your laptop, you can map your personal laptop to your U drive to view/edit your files. This is very handy when the campus is very busy and it is difficult to find an open computer to log into to access your files.
Note: Your U drive is only accessible while you are on campus
Where can I find help with this?
How do I use my U drive?
Step 5: Review additional resources
Now that you're up and running, take a look at some of the additional resources available to you.
Step 6: Know where to go for technology support
The VIU IT Service Desk is your front-line resource for help and technical support with VIU technology. We can also provide advice and guidance for using your technology. We are available by phone or email Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Pacific.
Step 7: Earn while you learn
Are you a technology ninja? Do you enjoy helping your fellow students solve that weird document formatting issue? Would you like an opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve your customer service, communication, organization, and technical skills?
The IT department at VIU is a great place for finding a convenient on-campus job. As a Student Technical Support Assistant and Tech Tutor, you can take part in important campus activities, provide peer to peer technology help, and learn about how the technology functions at VIU.
Where can I find out more?
You can find information on available student positions at the VIU Campus Career Centre website in the On-Campus Employment section.
Step 8: Set up a VIU web folder (optional)
Some courses require students to create HTML web pages (not WordPress) that can be viewed on the Internet.
Where can I find help with this?
How Do I Set Up a VIU Web Folder?
Can't find what you're looking for?
The IT Service Desk is here to help!
Email: StudentTechHelp@viu.ca
Phone: 1.250.740.6300 (Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm)
Note: If you have an urgent request such as not being able to access your course work, please give us a call at 1.250.740.6300
Want to chat with a Student Technical Support Assistant?
Student Tech Help Chat is available Monday-Friday from 9am-3:30pm. Follow the link below to open the chat.
Student Tech Help Chat