Computer Access & Tech Help

Student Help Desk, Media Center and Makerspace serves students on campus in the Phyllis & Charles Self Learning Commons!

In-Person Services

No appointments or reservations required
Students can access technology, computers and printers
Quiet, independent student study spaces are available on the second and third floor
Students are able to access campus WiFi, student network account and email, Canvas, and other online resources

Online Support

Students can email studenthelpdesk@whatcom.edu or call 360.383.3410 for technology assistance.

The Student Help Desk staff is available to provide technical assistance with:

Canvas
Student network accounts
CTCLink activation, password reset, and access
Use of online resources
Student email
Common software used by students

The Student Helpdesk staff is also available for group workshops or individual assistance with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and can help answer printing, scanning or other computer questions.

Laptop Checkout

The college is offering laptop checkouts to students as they are available. The equipment is first come, first serve. Laptops must be returned at the end of the quarter or a $1,500 hold will be placed on your account.

To check out equipment students are required to:

Log into the MyWCC
Click on the My Account tab
Click on the “Sign Equipment Checkout Agreement” link at the bottom of the page.

Checkout for Fall quarter starts Monday, September 23rd at 8am.

All student checkout equipment from Fall quarter is due back by or before 5pm on December 19th, 2024.

For College employees, please contact the Help Desk at 360.383.3420 or email helpdesk@whatcom.edu if you have any questions or need clarification.

Guides

Canvas

How to Login

How to Use the Canvas Inbox

How to Submit Assignment

Canvas Student Guide

Panopto View Recording

Whatcom does not support using the Canvas app due to several known issues. These issues can affect your experience and the functioning of the platform. If you currently have the app installed on any devices, please uninstall it to avoid further issues with your account. Issue will occur even if users log in through a browser and are not actively using the app but do have it installed.

Here are some of the known issues:

Various Canvas functions, including your access to the entire course, may be limited or closed.
Linked items don't always show in course modules.
Assignments and quizzes may be automatically submitted before you complete your work.
You won't see prerequisites in course modules if they are enabled.

If you encounter any problems or difficulties while using Canvas, please contact the Student Helpdesk at studenthelpdesk@whatcom.edu for assistance. Our team is here to support you.

Student Email

MyWCC

Student Network Account

All computer access requires students to use a personalized network account. This is required for computer access in all labs, classrooms, etc.

With the network accounts, students will have:

Personalized username and password
"My Documents" network storage
Orca Card web access
Wireless access
Whatcom email address
Microsoft 365 Office Suite
Remote access to campus resources (VMWare)

When a student applies to the college a limited use network account will be created for them and they will receive an email about setting up their Network account with a password.

This limited use account will give them access to MyWCC student portal, student email address (required for all communication to the college, college personnel do not email with students at their personal address), Microsoft 365 for applications.

When a student registers for a course their account is upgraded to a full use which includes wireless access on campus, ability to log into campus computers, and access to the WTA bus pass program, remote desktop access to campus resources (VMWare).

Student accounts remain in full use as long as a student is registered; when the student withdraws from all credit bearing courses or does not register for the next quarter their account will be downgraded to the limited use.

If you decide not to register for classes, your network account will be deactivated after three (3) quarters. No data will be backed up or retained.

After not being registered for three consecutive quarters student accounts will be deleted, and the students will be considered inactive. Students are responsible for keeping backups of all files and emails on campus systems and Microsoft 365; no advanced notice will be given for removing inactive accounts.

VMware

Microsoft Office365

How to Install Office

Whatcom Community College has made an agreement with Microsoft to provide Office to every one of our students for free. This automatically updatable, subscription-based software ensures our students always have the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more for as long as they’re a student here and the program continues.

Install on up to 5 compatible PCs and Macs, plus 5 tablets
Use with OneDrive for automatic device syncing
Gain valuable skills on the world’s most popular document software
Use the same programs as the faculty to ensure full file fidelit

Printing

Every registered student is able to print to on WCC campus computer stations to any student printer on campus, or copy machines using your SID card. If you need to print or copy in color or large posters, see the Media Center for more assistance in LRN130.

Costs:

General computer printing is free for students
Copy machine usage is free for students
Color printing and poster printing are available, charges may apply. Contact the Media Center or Copy Duplicating Department for more information.

Wireless

Access to the WCC wireless network is included with your personal network username and password. If you are currently enrolled in at least a one-credit course, you will have access to Wi-Fi.

The WCC Wi-Fi is a secured network requiring a security password in addition to your personal network user name and password. The Wi-Fi security password can be found by logging into MyWCC, and then clicking on the My Account tab.

Although WCC provides wireless access for our College community there is no formal support for personal electronic devices.

Student computer use rules

Whatcom Community College has a managed technology environment. Computers are intended to support educational goals and may not be used for personal gain or illegal activities.

Only students currently enrolled in credit courses may use these computers.
Students may not use staff computers.
Do not mistreat or damage the computer equipment.
Hardware or software configurations may not be altered. Many people share these computer resources and a consistent environment is essential. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Do not download or install any software, "plug-ins," shareware, freeware. This includes games, e-mail software, and unauthorized tutorial CDs that may be included with your textbooks.
- Do not install any peripheral devices including, but not limited to zip drives, floppy drives, CD ROMs, modems, network cards, mice, scanners, etc.
- No computers or other devices may be connected to the College network or telephone system.
- The only resources available to students from off-campus will be provided through WCC web pages.
Attempts to remotely access, hack, bypass, alter, or circumvent any network or computer security on any system is illegal.
Individuals must not interfere with the personal rights of others or the educational process of the College as defined by the WCC Student Rights & Responsibilities outlined in the WCC catalog.
If you are not sure about what you're doing or do not understand these rules - PLEASE ASK! Unauthorized use of WCC's technology resources is a serious offense and may result in disciplinary or legal action that could include expulsion from school, civil prosecution by the college or criminal prosecution.

Individual labs and departments may have procedures or guidelines. These procedures and guidelines are IN ADDITION to the rules listed here.

Useful tips

Always have your Orca student ID card with you
Use a flash drive as a temporary, portable backup for your files
Eject your flash drive properly by using the eject feature in the system tray
Name new files immediately to start the save process and protect your work
Never save documents to the desktop
WCC does not support the use of the Canvas App. If it is currently installed on a device it needs to be uninstalled. The app is activated and causes problems, even if users log in through a browser.