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All Student Update: IT systems recovery progress

08/03/2024
Outside Wulfruna Building on a sunny day

The following all student update on the IT systems recovery process was circulated to students via email on Thursday 7 March

Dear students, 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, once again, for your ongoing patience as staff and our external partners continue to work hard to get our systems and services back up and running as soon as possible. 

Due to the volume of information we needed to communicate to you this week, we decided to send this information in two separate emails. Yesterday’s communication covered information about assessments.  

This communication focuses on teaching delivery for next week and how students can start to get access to university desktops.  

Teaching  

 Due to our ongoing testing of systems to ensure that they are running effectively and efficiently, and to make sure you get the best student experience when things return to normal, a mixture of blended and on campus learning will continue until Friday 15 March.   

 During this time our IT staff will finalise access for students to the University WiFi and on campus computers (e.g. specialist IT labs and general Library machines). MiFi hot spots are available in selected public spaces for those of you who wish to study on campus.   

 Module leaders will send out Canvas updates with teaching information over the coming days, so please ensure that Canvas notifications are turned on.  

IT access and password reset  

 We are aware that some students are still not able to access specialised IT and software equipment. To help with this, we are working to get some specialist software laboratories and general access computers made available by early next week. For those students who are still affected by this issue, your department will be sending further communications later this week to confirm access.   

 We are also aware that some students have had limited home access to IT equipment, which has impacted their ability to study for their assessment. If this applies to you, please submit an extenuating circumstances claim. 

Password reset instructions -  for students with working IT accounts

University password reset, from Saturday 9 March, 2024.
As we continue to bring back University systems, as a precaution, all staff and students will be prompted to change their University password. You do not need to come onto campus to do this.
 
Using any device and accessing any University systems or apps, you will notice an on-screen message, whether you are off campus or on.
The on-screen message will look like this:

A screen shot of password expired

You will need your old password to create a new one. You will then be prompted to sign into your Microsoft 365 applications, including the apps on your phone. Please have the phone you use for Multifactor authentication (MFA) with you.
IMPORTANT! Connecting to the University WiFi
Remember to replace any stored passwords, including eduroam (the WiFi), with your new one. If you use the ‘Get eduroam’ app on your phones/tablets, you can replace your old password from anywhere, just go into your app settings and change to your new password. Alternatively, you can update your eduroam password once you are on campus. (If you experience any issues with eduroam, please ‘forget’ all UoW networks and then sign in with your new password).
When you are next on campus and signing into a University PC, you will be prompted to enter your new password as you sign in.
For more information about creating strong passwords visit this useful webpage.
Support
If you experience any issues with changing your password, support is by phone over the weekend, using 01902 32 2000.
On campus support will be available at the ASK/Library areas, Monday to Friday.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Please rest assured that we are working hard to restore systems and services and we will be updating you further on this over the coming week.

Making changes to your study 

If you are in a position where you need to make changes to your study (for example changes to modules, requesting a leave of absence, transferring courses, or withdrawing), you should wait until e:Vision becomes available to request these. All such requests will be backdated and processed as a priority.  

Investigation progress 

We recognise that this has been a challenging time for the University community, so please do make use of our wider Student Support services if you feel you need extra support. You can find useful information and contact details below. 
 
Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding. Please do switch on your Canvas notifications, check myWLV app for any updates and keep an eye on your emails for further messages (note that some emails may end up in your Junk folder!). 
 
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to get back to normal as quickly as possible. 

 Best wishes,  

Professor Gill Knight  

Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Learning and Student Experience  

 

Student Life and SU support 

If you feel that you need some additional help during this time, Student Life and the Students’ Union is available to support you. Please contact the teams below to access support in the same way as usual:     

Please do include your student number and a summary of how we can support, or with an outline of your concern within any email you send to our teams.     

24-hour support via phone or online   

The University of Wolverhampton has invested in a newly developed student support platform in collaboration with Care First called WLV Student Life Connect. This is a counselling, information and advice service offering support for issues arising at university, home, or work.   

 This is a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, INDEPENDENT, and IMPARTIAL source of support for you, as an undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research student, or an apprentice learner. Here you can access advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of care issues, health issues, benefits and entitlements, relationships, childcare, anxiety, depression and more.    

 Please follow this link to find out more.    

 Students’ Union  

The Students’ Union advice centre remains open and available by phone, online and in person, at City Campus to help support students. The team can advise on issues including wellbeing, academic, housing and signposting financial support. Students can visit in person at the Ambika Paul building, City Campus, opposite the Harrison Library.

Opening hours are 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or by phoning between the hours of 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday:  01902 322038.   

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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