Information and Computing Services

As a new student at Cal Poly Pomona, you will want to use e-mail, the Internet, the University Library, online library services and many other information and technology services.  Cal Poly Pomona's Instructional & Institutional Technology Division (I&IT) provides essential services and resources to help you use information and technology services when needed.

Students at Cal Poly Pomona receive access to the following information services, among others:

• free e-mail,
• Internet access,
• personal Web site space,
• wireless network in selected areas of campus,
• online course materials (Blackboard),
• use of the University Library and computer labs,
• extensive online research resources and
• computing and library research help.

To take advantage of these, and other services, you'll need to have your BroncoID, which is the standard ID card for all Cal Poly Pomona students.  For more information about how to obtain a BroncoID card, go to http://dsa.csupomona.edu/orientation/newgrad/broncoid.asp.

Cal Poly Pomona Library Card
Your BroncoID is your library card: you will need it to check out books. You should also obtain a password (sometimes called a PIN), which you can create remotely.  This PIN/Password allows you to use the Self Check Out Machine to check out books, and most importantly, the PIN/Password allows you to access the Library's databases from home.

University Library
The Library's reference staff can help you find books, articles, databases and other information resources. The library has many cdrom services, a software collection, and online services - all free to students. The library's online services are accessible from anywhere on campus and from home for those who have their own computer.

The Library also offers:

• more than 3.1 million materials,
• circulation laptop computers (for students only),
• web browsing and e-mail,
• research workstations,
• study rooms that are internet ready,
• photocopiers,
• microfiche copiers,
• self-checkout station,
• special archives,
• InfoTrac workstations,
• CD-ROM's, and
• individual and group study areas.

The library is currently undergoing a  $33 million-plus facelift. Current plans include 135,00 gross square feet of "people space" to help accommodate increasing enrollment (classrooms and technological applications); state-of-the-art computing and telecommunications technology; indoor/outdoor cafe; and wireless laptop computers.

Cal Poly Pomona Computer Account
If you haven't already done so, you will need to activate your Cal Poly Pomona account.  To do this, go to the claim your account page at http://www.csupomona.edu/claimaccount.  For more information about getting started, visit http://www.csupomona.edu/iit/ehelp. 

Computer Labs
I&IT Operations manages several open access general computing labs that are available for use by anyone with a current and valid Cal Poly Pomona ID. These labs provide Internet access, as well as general computing applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Multimedia workstations, available only in the Computing Commons, are equipped with Adobe and Macromedia software. Intranet services are also available in the Computing Commons. Operating hours vary from lab to lab. To learn more about each of our open access general computing labs, visit http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/computinglabs/.

Connecting to Cal Poly Pomona's Network and the Internet
Cal Poly Pomona’s Wide Area Network includes more than 20,000 connections across the campus. For more information, visit http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/networks/connection.html.

Wireless Access
Computers, including most laptops purchased within the last two years with wireless network cards installed, can access Cal Poly Pomona's network without a physically wired connection.  Cal Poly Pomona provides two wireless networks:

• CPP – This network requires LEAP security authentication, with a Cal Poly Pomona user name and network password (explained in these pages). It provides access to almost all the services that are available on campus wired networks.
• GUEST – This network can be used by people connecting wirelessly on campus who do not have Cal Poly Pomona usernames and network passwords. It allows basic web browsing and VPN connections. It does not allow users to send mail via SMTP. The GUEST network is set up in the same way as the CPP network – just enter GUEST as network name. It does not require a password.

For more information visit http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/wireless/index.html.

Computing Security
It doesn't matter if you are a student, faculty or staff member: as a personal computer user, you and your computer are vulnerable to security threats.  Any time you are connected to the Internet you are accessing the information superhighway. Over the past several years, this "data expressway" has become much more crowded and dangerous. All this traffic and the accompanying hazards have made it easier for those wanting to do harm.  For tips on computer security visit http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/security/tips/index.html.

E-mail and Personal Web Pages
All students get a Cal Poly Pomona e-mail account.  The Cal Poly Pomona e-mail system is protected by sophisticated anti-spam software.  To learn how to use your Cal Poly Pomona e-mail, go to http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/email/index.html.  All students are also provided with space on a Web server for their personal Web sites.  To learn how to publish a personal Web site at Cal Poly Pomona, go to http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/web/intranet/webspace.html. 

Course Web Sites and Materials
Blackboard is the online learning portal through which many Cal Poly Pomona professors provide electronic copies of their course materials, including syllabi, readings, and handouts.  For more information about Blackboard, visit http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/lms.html.