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Understanding Your Basic Computing Package
Table of Contents
What Is the Basic Computing Package?
The Basic Computing Package is a set of computing services provided to the U-M community by U-M Information Technology Central Services (ITCS) at no charge. The following services are included (A list of documents with instructions for using these services is included at the end of this document under Additional Resources):
- Uniqname and UMICH password. To use many U-M computing services, you need to enter your uniqname (which identifies you) and your UMICH password (which authorizes and authenticates you). Your uniqname is also part of your e-mail address.
- E-mail. This service lets you send and receive e-mail. Your mailbox has up to 2 gigabytes of storage for messages. ITCS provides mail.umich.edu, Mulberry, and Pine to you for accessing your e-mail. You may also use other mail programs if you wish.
- File storage. You get 10 gigabytes of file storage on the Institutional File System (IFS). You may purchase additional file space for a monthly fee. See What If I Need Additional Computing Services from ITCS.
- Black-and-white laser printing in the Campus Computing Sites. Students may print 400 pages per term as part of their Basic Computing Package. Faculty and staff may print 50 pages per term. You may purchase additional printing at $0.06 per side of page. Color printing is available at some Sites for an additional charge. See What If I Need Additional Computing Services from ITCS.
- Login Service. The Login Service provides access to Pine for e-mail, programming languages, and other computing resources.
- Statistics and Computation Service. The Statistics and Computation Service provides access to servers where you can run computationally intensive or long-running programs.
- U-M Online Directory. You can use this directory of U-M students, faculty, and staff to look up phone numbers, find e-mail addresses, create e-mail groups, and more.
- Consulting. You can phone 764-HELP or send e-mail to online.consulting@umich.edu for answers to your questions about accessing and using the services included in the Basic Computing Package.
Some of the above services are provided on a per-term basis. For purposes of the Basic Computing Package, a term is defined as a four-month period. Terms begin in September, January, and May.
How Do I Get the Basic Computing Package?
A Basic Computing Package is automatically set up for each student who goes through U-M's orientation. New faculty and staff may need to contact the ITCS Accounts Office to have their Basic Computing Packages set up.
Who Is Eligible to Receive the Package?
Those eligible to receive the package include all Ann Arbor U-M students who are listed by their department as "Active in Program," doctoral candidates and pre-candidates, all faculty (including emeritus faculty), and all full-time or part-time staff with a regular (that is, not temporary) appointment. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the ITCS Accounts Office.
Temporary staff (who are not students) are not eligible for the full Basic Computing Package, but can receive many of the services in it at the request of their department.
Retired staff are not eligible for the Basic Computing Package, but they do receive an e-mail mailbox.
Visiting scholars and other guests of the University should talk to a manager in their department about making arrangements for the computing services they need.
What If I Need Additional Computing Services from ITCS?
ITCS provides some additional computing services for which there are varying charges. See Billing for Additional Services for how these charges are billed. The additional services include the following:
- Additional black-and-white laser printing in the Campus Computing Sites above the 400 pages for students or 50 pages for faculty and staff per term included in the Basic Computing Package. If you print more, you will be charged $0.06 per printed side of page. Printing resources are provided to support academic activities and should be used responsibly; they are not for personal use.
- Additional file storage above the 10-gigabyte quota included in the Basic Computing Package. To get additional personal file storage space beyond 10 gigabytes, contact the ITCS Accounts Office. There is a small monthly charge for additional storage space. Instructors can request IFS space for classes, and groups can request IFS space for University-related work. Send e-mail to ifs-support@umich.edu.
Billing for Additional Services
For students. Students who use additional ITCS computing services beyond those in the Basic Computing Package will have the charges billed directly to their University student account. (This is the same account through which tuition and other fees are billed.) "Additional computing services" will appear as a line item on students' bills.
In a few cases, departments may opt to pay for some of these services. Graduate students who have additional computing needs related to research, course instruction, or thesis preparation are encouraged to check with their department to see if funds are available.
For faculty and staff. Faculty and staff who use additional ITCS computing services beyond those in the Basic Computing Package may have the charges billed to University accounts. Faculty and staff with questions should check first with their departmental administrators. The ITCS Accounts Office can also help answer questions concerning billing for ITCS computing services.
Checking Your Usage Levels
- Use your web browser to connect to this web address:
https://accounts.www.umich.edu/umce-bin/umce
- Log in using your uniqname and UMICH password.
- Information about your usage of services will be displayed.
- Be sure to log out when you are done (the logout link is in the lower right corner).
Using Services Over the Summer and After You Leave U-M
Students will continue to receive the Basic Computing Package for as long as their department has them listed as "Active in Program." This means that students who don't take classes during the summer continue to receive the Basic Computing Package during the summer.
Alumni and other members of the U-M community can subscribe to U-M Online to continue using many of the computing services included in the Basic Computing Package.
Faculty and staff who leave the University will continue to receive the Basic Computing Package for approximately one month. Emeritus faculty continue to receive the Basic Computing Package. Retired staff receive a smaller set of computing services that includes an e-mail mailbox. Retired staff who wish to have IFS space and additional services from ITCS can purchase these services through U-M Online.
Additional Resources
ITCS Accounts Office. Located on the ground level of the Michigan Union. Send e-mail to itcs.accounts@umich.edu or phone (734) 764-8000.
ITCS's web site includes up-to-date information about changes and improvements to the Basic Computing Package.
Visit ITCS's Information System to obtain ITCS computer documentation and other resources. A list of relevant documents follows.
We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.
ITCS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.
For further help with any of the services in the Basic Computing Package, send e-mail or phone
(734) 764-HELP.
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