New Student Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get my e-mail account?
All students have three logon accounts at CUA. The first is your Cardinal Station account that was mailed to you when you applied to the university. The second is your Cardinal Mail account for accessing your CUA e-mail. The third is your CUA Network logon account that is used to log onto lab computers and the home.cua.edu website. Your Cardinal Mail and CUA Network logon accounts are created shortly before your first semester at the university.
Once it has been created, you can find your Cardinal Mail and CUA Network logon account information by logging onto Cardinal Station. Navigate to Student Self-Service. Once there, click on the Student Center link. Under Personal Information, select CUA Logon Accounts from the drop down list and click the Arrow button. This page lists your CUA username and e-mail address, and instructions on how to use this username to log onto both Cardinal Mail and home.cua.edu for the first time.
How do I reset my CUA network logon password?
You can do this at home.cua.edu. If you are not sure of your password you can click on the "Forgot your password?" link located on home.cua.edu in the upper right hand corner. This page will instruct you on how to reset your password.
Keep in mind that your CUA network logon password expires every 90 days and will need to be changed. You can change your expired password by using it to log onto home.cua.edu. For more information about passwords, please visit our page about logging on.
How do I reset my Cardinal Mail password?
You can use the Cardinal Mail Password Reset page to change your password. You will need to identify yourself as a member of the CUA community as part of this process. When you log onto Cardinal Mail with the new password, you will need to type the new password a second time, as well as identify the text in an image.
Once you have successfully logged on with your new Cardinal Mail password, you can either opt to keep using it, or you can change it to something else by clicking the Settings link on the top right side of the Cardinal Mail page, selecting the Accounts tab, and clicking the Change Password link.
How can I use a computer right now?
There is a computer lab available 24 hours a day in Leahy Hall. There are also computers available in Mullen Library and the Pryzbyla Center. More information about our computer labs can be found on our website.
Do I pay for the Internet connection?
The cost for network access as well as cable service is included in your room rate. There is no additional fee you must pay.
Will Catholic University help me to buy a computer? What will you recommend?
Yes, the Student Computer Initiative provides purchasing discounts for students and our recommendations.
I already have a computer; can I use it at Catholic University?
Yes, all you need to connect to the University's network is an Ethernet cable. Most residence halls also have wireless networking. Be sure your computer has antivirus software installed, and is running a software firewall. Please read about safe computing practices on the CUA web site.
How do I connect to the Internet?
Detailed instructions on connecting to both wall ports and wireless network can be found our ResNet website.
Where do I get an Ethernet cable?
In order to connect to the wall port in your residence hall, an Ethernet cable is necessary. This cable can be purchased in the university bookstore or at local stores like BestBuy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, Target, or Wal-Mart. Look for Ethernet patch cables of type CAT5e or CAT6; either will work fine in your residence hall room.
Where is the network port in the room? I only saw one jack; are there any more?
Depending on which residence hall you reside, there may be various locations; floor boards, mid-wall, etc. Most rooms have one data (network) wall jack per room occupant. Your dorm rooms might be strictly wireless. For more information on this, please visit our ResNet website.
Is wireless available on the main campus?
We have wireless networking available in the Pryzbyla Center, Columbus School of Law, Crough Center (School of Architecture), Marist Hall, McGivney Hall, Mullen Library, Pangborn Hall, Shahan Hall and portions of Maloney Hall. For an updated list on our buildings with wireless access, you can visit our wireless networking page.
I'm having problems connecting to the wireless network.
Check to make sure your wireless is enabled. You can also check our wireless networking page to see if there is a wireless connection for your building.
Which residence halls have wireless access?
Centennial Village (all buildings), Conaty, Curley Court, Flather, Gibbons, Millennium North and South, Opus and Spellman have wireless access as of the Summer 2009 semester. With the exception of Curley Court, all of these halls have wired access also. You can check our wireless networking page to see the current status of wireless buildings on campus.
Can I connect with my own network equipment?
We have provided wired or wireless internet for you depending on what building you are in. No other network equipment can be connected to our network ports as it may interfere with the operation of the campus network.
What if I live in Curley Court?
Network access in Curley Court is wireless only. Please be sure that your notebook or desktop computer has wireless capability. If it doesn't, you can purchase a USB wireless adaptor at most computer stores.
Will Catholic University help to protect me from viruses?
Yes, resident students can download McAfee VirusScan for virus and spyware protection free of charge after connecting to our network. If you currently have antivirus software that is up to date and are installing updates you can use that software, but we do recommend our service.
Can I use an Apple Mac, or do I need Microsoft Windows?
Your Apple Mac will work fine on the campus network.
How do I hook up my Apple Mac to the network?
An Ethernet cable is all that is needed unless your residence hall has wireless access. For more about our connecting to the campus network from your residence hall, please visit our ResNet site.
Can I install Microsoft Office?
Students may purchase software, including Microsoft Office, at reduced academic prices in the campus bookstore located in the Pryzbyla Center.
Can I make a personal website at Catholic University?
Yes, every student automatically receives space for a website. After your account has been created, you can manage your web site via the Internet through home.cua.edu. Student websites are found at http://students.cua.edu/username/, (e.g., student with the username "12smith" has a website at http://students.cua.edu/12smith/). Also see http://computing.cua.edu/start/setupwebsite.cfm.
Can I forward my CUA email to another account?
Yes, you can configure your Cardinal Mail account to forward messages to another account automatically. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the address to which you are forwarding works. CUA sends official communications only to your Cardinal Mail address. If you have specified a forwarding address and it stops working, you will not receive these important communications.
How do I find out if the academic program I'm in recommends specific software or computers for their classes?
Please visit the school's web site or contact the school directly for specific information on their software and hardware recommendations.
Can I get cable TV in the room?
Yes, telephone, Internet, and cable television services are included and are available when you move into your residence hall. Please visit our ResNet site to see the channel line-up.
I'm only getting three TV channels in my room, how can I fix this?
If you are not getting all of the channels, reprogram your television's channels by using the instructions provided in your television owner's manual. Most often this involves navigating to the area in the TV's menu that allows you to auto search for channels and perform the search. This will program the CUA cable channels into your television. You usually need the remote control that came with your television to do this. Reprogramming the channels is the most common solution to this problem.
How do I set up my telephone?
Setting up your telephone for CUA’s phone system is as easy as plugging your telephone into the blue port. All residence hall rooms are equipped with one or more telephone voice ports that connect to the same telephone number. In your move-in packet, you will find information on your specific telephone number. Residents can call on-campus directly to other rooms, offices and services by dialing the last four digits of the phone exchange. All other local calling is done by dialing 9 to get an outside line. Please note that in Maryland and Virginia, you must use the three digit area code when dialing. Washington, D.C. is a local call, and does not require the area code.
Do I still get charged if I don't put a phone in my room?
Because the fee for internet, cable, and phone service is a flat rate included with your residence hall room, the charge will be incurred whether or not you utilize the services.
Are there phones in the rooms?
While the fee for phone, internet, and cable services includes the ability to utilize these features, the rooms are not equipped with a phone. However you can purchase an inexpensive phone at the bookstore, or at local stores such as Radio Shack.
Where do I get a Cardinal Card?
The Cardinal Card office is located in LL32 Leahy Hall. You can call them at 202-319-6403 or visit them from 9:30-11:30 and 3:30-5pm Mon - Fri.
Can I buy meal plans on my card?
Yes, you can visit our Cardinal Card website to learn more about this.
My Cardinal Station logon account isn't working.
Cardinal Station User IDs are case sensitive, meaning if there are letters in your User ID make sure the right ones are upper-cased and lower-cased. Also check to make sure you have the right password. (NOTE: Cardinal Station User IDs are different from your CUA Network logon username and e-mail address.) If it still isn't working, please contact the computer Information Center.
What does CPIT stand for?
CPIT is an abbreviation of The Center for Planning and Information Technology. CPIT is located in 200 Leahy Hall.
Is there a charge for using printing resources?
There is currently no charge for printing in CUA computer labs. For a list of labs with printers, please see our site on computer labs on campus.
Where can I make copies if I need them?
Copies may be made at several off-campus locations.
What do I do if I have a problem with my computer, phone, or e-mail?
Catholic University provides free computing help to faculty, staff and students at our walk-in Information Center in 200 Leahy Hall Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. You can also call us at 202-319-HELP (4357) Monday - Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm or visit us online at computing.cua.edu.
What if I am a Law student?
The Columbus School of Law Office of Computer Services provides free computing help to Law students. Computer Services is located in room 315, or you can call at 202-319-4444 or visit online at law.cua.edu/computers.
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Last Revised 07-May-09 01:45 PM.
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