Otterbein University > New Students

What To Do First

Activate Your Network and Gmail Accounts
You have a network account and a separate Gmail account. We recommend making the passwords the same so you only have to remember one Otterbein password. See Account Management and Activation for directions on how to access these accounts.

Explore My O-Zone
My O-Zone is your personal portal to Otterbein's intranet. Logon and access all of your campus resources from this single web portal.

Check Your Email
Everyone in the Otterbein community is issued an email account. Your email account is the only email address the university uses for official communication. Email setup for smartphones.

Using Computers on Campus

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Prohibited activities

Do not get yourself in trouble over downloading copyrighted material. Be informed and legal. See What is the Download?

Are you being responsible on Otterbein's network? You accepted the Responsible Use Policy when you activated your account.
Using the computer labs

Otterbein provides computer labs located around campus. See where they are and services provided.
Residence hall internet connections

The residence halls allow for both physical and wireless internet connections. How to prepare your computer, connect and surf safely.
Wireless Networking

Learn how to join your computer or Internet device to Otterbein's wireless network. Otterbein user account required.
Printing from your personal computer

Instructions on how to print a document from your personal computer to a lab printer. WiFi connection and Otterbein user account required. If you need assistance installing the PaperCut client, please come to the Student Help Desk in the Campus Center.

Personal Computers

You may bring your own computer to Otterbein, but you are not required to do so. The decision to purchase a computer depends on your preference and study habits. For residents, bringing a personal printer is not necessary and depends only on cost and convenience.

If you do decide to bring a computer we would suggest something equal or greater than the following hardware and software minimum computing standards. See this checklist of items to consider if you are purchasing a new computer and get the requirements for residents and commuters to prepare your computer for the network. Finally, see this technology checklist for what to bring/do upon arriving on campus for commuters and residents.

Software
Otterbein recommends that personal computers have an office application that is compatible with Microsoft Office and is capable of saving files in MS Office format. Assignments can then be turned in electronically and viewed by other students collaboratively. Public labs feature MS Office 2010. For discounts, check here and shop list of vendors.

Keeping your computer healthy
Guidelines for safe computing on Otterbein's network.

Other Technology Resources

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Self Service Banner

Self Service Banner is the information and data services system for Otterbein. Students and employees can handle all business and learning services on-line. For students, you can register for classes, do a degree audit, pay bills, check grades, look up your schedule, etc... Logon directly via the Resources link on Otterbein's main page with your ID number and unique 6 number pin (e.g. ID: A12345678, pin: 123456) It is very important to create a security question on your first logon!! This prompt is only offered at first logon so if you do not create the security question and later forget your pin, you cannot retrieve it. After creating your security question you may also logon through the Banner quick link in your O-Zone with single sign-on!
New Blackboard Features

See this training video. to familiarize yourself with Blackboard's new features and learn tips and navigation!
Blackboard is Otterbein's E-Learning system. Your instructor will let you know if you are using Blackboard for your class. To avoid a timeout, access Blackboard outside of O-Zone from Otterbein's main page in the Resources link. Use Chrome or Firefox Internet browsers for compatibility with all Blackboard's features. If you do not see your class listed under "My Courses", contact the intstructor first to ask to make the class available. Check for "Otterbein University" to see if a free app is available for Blackboard Mobile Learn for your mobile Internet device. Familiarize yourself with how to use Blackboard with these short video tutorials at Blackboard's On-Line Learning Center.
Online Storage

Compute from the cloud and freely store 5GB of data by using your Google Drive accessible with your Gmail logon.
Otternet

Use your Home folder and Web folder. Backup your homework assignments to your Home folder if you are not using Google Drive. Use your Otternet page for handy quick links to resources and home and web folders from any Internet connection. Lookup your Otterbein ID, see your schedule and pictures of your classmates. Access Otternet from the A-Z Index in My O-Zone.
Training

Microsoft
Microsoft offers free on-line tutorials. Important! If you are using an older version of Office (versions prior to Win2007 or Mac2008), you will need this converter to open, edit and save the file you receive that is in Office Windows 2007 or Office Macintosh 2008 format. Dowload the converter for Windows here. Dowload the version for Macintosh here. Free Office 2010 Training here for students using Office 2010. Otterbein's labs and classroom podium computers feature Office 2010.

Blackboard

Blackboard's short video tutorials at Blackboard's On-Line Learning Center. For instructions and "gotchas" for taking exams and quizzes in Blackboard, click here.
Changing your password

Coming soon Otterbein will have a password changing policy and you will be able to self-manage password changes for your Ozone/network password even if you forgot your password! To prepare, you must fill out your account profile located via the "My Password" folder tab in My O-Zone.
My O-Zone
If you know your My O-Zone/network password and want to change it now, click here. If you do not know your password and cannot logon, contact the Student Help Desk at 614-823-1060.

Gmail
If you know your Gmail password and want to change it, logon to Gmail and click on the drop-down arrow next to yourusername@otterbein.edu in the upper right corner. Select "Account", then "Security". If you do not know your password and cannot logon, contact the Student Help Desk at 614-823-1060.

New Students

What To Do First

Using Computers on Campus

Prohibited activities

Using the computer labs

Residence hall internet connections

Wireless Networking

Printing from your personal computer

Personal Computers

Other Technology Resources

Self Service Banner

New Blackboard Features

Online Storage

Otternet

Training

Changing your password

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