New Student FAQ

Answers to Questions New Students Might Have about Computing at OWU:

What if I have questions about my ID card?

See the OWU Card Office page on our department webpages.

What do you Recommend for a Student Laptop?

Recommended Specs:

  • An Intel i5 (or equivalent) processor running at 2.4 GHz or higher
  • At least 4 GB of system memory
  • A 250 GB or larger hard drive
  • A dedicated video/graphics card with at least 512 MB of memory
  • WiFi support for the A, B, G, and N (A/B/G/N) wireless standards
  • The latest versions of Microsoft Windows or MacOS

Recommended Accessories:

    • A total system backup device, such as an inexpensive external USB hard drive (with at least as much capacity as your computer’s hard drive)
    • At least one high-capacity (2GB or larger) USB flash drive for storing and moving important documents and files
    • A combination surge protector and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit, such as an APC Back-UPS model
    • All original computer system manuals and disks (this is very important for troubleshooting and repair in the event of a system crash)

Students may want to bring a mid-range or higher-end color inkjet printer for personal in-room printing. Personal printers cannot be used on our wireless network so a printer cable is needed. (Black-and-white laser printers are available in most public-access computer labs and students receive a per-semester quota of free printing)

Note that these are recommendations only. Students may do just fine if they have equipment that is below these specs. Many students also bring other mobile devices such as smart phones, iPods, or tablets to campus and connect to our wireless network with them.

See the additional question on this page for desktop computer recommendations.

What do you Recommend for a Student Desktop?

Recommended Specs:

  • An Intel i5 (or equivalent) processor running at 2.4 GHz or higher
  • At least 4 GB of system memory
  • A 250 GB or larger hard drive
  • A 17-inch or larger widescreen LCD monitor
  • A DVD-RW (DVD-recordable and -rewritable) optical drive
  • A dedicated video/graphics card with at least 512 MB of memory
  • A 10/100/1000 Network Interface Card (NIC), also known as an Ethernet network card
  • A wireless NIC that supports the A, B, G, and N (A/B/G/N) wireless standards. (Note that some of our residential halls are WiFi-only.)
  • The latest versions of Microsoft Windows or MacOS

Recommended Accessories:

    • A total system backup device, such as an inexpensive external USB hard drive (with at least as much capacity as your computer’s hard drive)
    • At least one high-capacity (2GB or larger) USB flash drive for storing and moving important documents and files
    • A combination surge protector and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit, such as an APC Back-UPS model
    • An Ethernet (also known as a Cat5E or 10/100) patch cable that is at least 25 feet long with RJ45 (also known as Cat5E or 10/100 Ethernet) connectors (if your room has wired network access)
    • All original computer system manuals and disks (this is very important for troubleshooting and repair in the event of a system crash)

Students may want to bring a mid-range or higher-end color inkjet printer for personal in-room printing. Personal printers cannot be used on our wireless network so a printer cable is needed. (Black-and-white laser printers are available in most public-access computer labs and students receive a per-semester quota of free printing)

Note that these are recommendations only. Students may do just fine if they have equipment that is below these specs. Many students also bring mobile devices such as laptops, smart phones, iPods, or tablets to campus and connect to our wireless network with them.

See the other question on this page for recommended laptop info.

Is it Better to have a Mac or PC?

OWU Information Services fully supports both Macs and PCs, and the faculty have the choice to use either. You’ll find that a majority use PCs while certain departments, such as Fine Arts and Chemistry are almost exclusively Macs. Computer labs on campus run a mix of MacOS and Windows. Your computer choice is your personal preference, and all kinds of computers–including Linux–are welcome on campus. Macs, PCs, and most Linux distributions are able to effectively utilize University computing resources.

How do I get help with Technology?

Browse the rest of this site or check out the Information Services website for instructions, tips & tricks, and other resources. If you still need help, contact the Help Desk.

How do I Access my OWU Services Such as Email?

Access to your OWU email (BishopMail), grades and other information requires a username and password.  All new students are emailed account activation notices by Information Services.  This email includes a link for activating your account.  You will be prompted to set up a secret question and answer and create a password.  If you have not received an activation notice, please contact the Help Desk by email at helpdesk@owu.edu, or phone 740-368-3120 during business hours.

Once your account is activated, you can log into email by going to the OWU homepage then clicking on Quick Links at the bottom of the page then on Bishop Mail or go to gmail.com and enter your full email address and password.

What if I Lose or Forget my OWU Password?

To reset your password using your alternate (non-OWU) email address, go to the Reset Your Account Password web page. Passwords will not be given out by e-mail, and Information Services will never ask for your password via email.

How do I Access my Schedule and Grades Online?

Go to the OWU homepage at www.owu.edu. Click on Current Students at the top of the page, then click on OWU SELF-SERVICE.  Log in with your username and password. You can also log in by going to campus.owu.edu.

For Blackboard, our course management system, go to bb.owu.edu.  Log in with your username and password.

Where Can I See Degree and Major requirements, and How Far I've Progressed Toward Meeting Them?

OWU has an online degree planning and audit system, available at degreeaudit.owu.edu. Students and their advisors may use it for individual degree audits, “what if?” scenarios, student planning, sharing notes, and processing exceptions. More info is available on the Degree Audit page.

How do I Access the Campus Wifi Network?

You must follow instructions provided on the BishopNet page. You will need to enter your OWU BishopApps username and password when you first connect and again when you register your computer on the network.

How do I Access Residential Wired Network

Simply plug your computer into one of the network ports in your dorm using an Ethernet cable and use your web browser to surf to register.owu.edu. Enter your username and password and follow the instructions. (Not available in Stuyvesant Hall, 4, 23, and 35 Williams Drive, nor in Honors House at 119 Oak Hill Avenue.)

How do I Connect my Gaming Console to the Internet

Gaming consoles such as Xbox and Playstation can connect to our wired residential network using an Ethernet cable (available in the bookstore). You will need to look up the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the console and register it on the Internet Registration page. Wireless gaming consoles such as the Switch cannot connect to our BishopNet Wireless Network due to our enterprise security. Instructions for finding the MAC address for your gaming consoles are available on our Gaming page.

How do I Print in the Labs?

When you send a document to one of our campus printers, you will be prompted to enter your username and password. Printing from a wireless connection is available for several locations on campus. You may upload a document on a school or personal computer and send it to the desired printer using WebPrint. See our Printing page for more information.

Do I Pay for Printing in the Labs?

Each student receives print credits for 400 pages per semester on campus printers. If you need to print more than this amount, you may add cash to your account. Just ask a librarian or staff at the Beeghly Circulation Desk. See our Printing page for more information.

Do I Need to Purchase A New Computer?

No, students can purchase a used computer or bring one from home. But do refer to the computer configuration section for additional information.

What if I Don't Own a Computer?

Several computer labs on campus, including locations in Hayes and Welch Halls as well as Beeghly Library, are available to all students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information see the Microlabs page.

Can I Use My Own Computer in the Residence Hall to access the Internet?

Yes. The wired campus computing network extends to individual rooms — on a “one port per pillow” basis — in most residence halls, fraternity houses, and Small Living Units (SLUs). There is no wired network access available at Stuyvesant Hall, 4, 23, and 35 Williams Drive, and the Honors House at 119 Oak Hill Avenue. BishopNet wireless access is available in all these buildings. For more information see the Residential Networking page.

Can Students Purchase a Computer Through the University?

OWU has contracted with GovConnection to make high-quality computer equipment available for purchase by OWU students. Information can be found at https://www.govconnection.com/ offers all kinds of products, including Apple, Leonovo, HP and more.

What is the Standard Productivity Software on Campus?

Every student, faculty and staff gets a BishopApps account (Google Apps for Education) that includes email, calendar, chat, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, sites, and much more. BishopApps is available from any computer with an internet connection. Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to students. See our Microsoft Office page for details. Office is also available in computer labs and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome are the primary Web browsers, although Apple Safari can also be used. Sophos is our campus-wide anti-virus program, which is available for university owned computers. Students can download the Sophos home edition for free here: Sophos Home.

Is there a Charge for Email or for Connecting my Computer to the Campus Network?

There are no direct charges for these services, other than the standard technology fee.

What do I Need to Attach my Computer to the University Network
  • A computer meeting or exceeding OWU’s recommended configuration.
  • A Network Interface Card (NIC) with an RJ45 (also known as a Cat5E or 10/100 Ethernet) network port. The NIC should be properly installed in the machine and in working condition with the latest software drivers. (The vast majority of new computer systems come with this preinstalled.)
  • An Ethernet (also known as a Cat5E or 10/100/1000) patch cable with RJ45 (also known as Cat5E or 10/100/1000 Ethernet) connectors. This looks like a traditional phone cable but is thicker with larger connectors on the ends. We recommend that you bring a cable that is at least 25 feet long to accommodate equipment placement in your residence room.
How do I get Help Using the University's Computing System?

You can:

  • Browse this Self Help Site and/or use the Search box at the top left.
  • Call the Information Services Help Desk at 740-368-3120.
  • Email the OWU Help Desk at helpdesk@owu.edu.
  • Stop by the Information Services Help Desk in the lower level of Corns between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year.
Did You Know?
  • Wireless Internet access(WiFi) is available campus-wide, including the JAY walk and many green spaces between buildings. This BishopNet network is available to all WIFI enabled mobile devices.
  • Instant messaging (chat) along with a full office productivity suite, including word processing, spreadsheets, forms, presentations and drawings, as well as Blogger, Picasa, YouTube, and more are available within your BishopApps account powered by Google.
  • Laptop computers are available for checkout in Beeghly at the Circulation Desk or the Media Center located on the lower level. Inquire at the Circulation Desk or Media Center for availability.
  • Information Services is one of many work-study employers at OWU. You may fill out an application online.