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Computing information for new staff

As the central information technology and communications group of Monash University, the Information Technology Services Division (ITS) is responsible for much of the university's IT infrastructure. 

Information about our computing resources and services can be found below, and from the ITS website. 

Computer accounts and passwords

As a Monash staff member you will be granted a computer account that will enable you to access IT facilities. This is called an Authcate account and consists of a username and a password.

Your Authcate account is your main Monash login. It provides access to restricted pages on the Monash website and other Monash resources which are protected by a password. For example:

  • Access to electronic services on the Monash computing network
  • Library resources
  • Protected internet resources such as Monash web pages and newsgroups
  • Your Monash email
  • Your my.monash portal (personalised web page and gateway to Monash University)

Monash dial-up service

The Monash dial-up service, which provides remote access to the internet from home or other locations, is available to all staff. Your password for this account is the same as your Authcate password.

Obtaining Monash accounts

Your departmental IT support should be able to provide you with a computer access form. If your department does not have local IT support, you can obtain the form from your nearest ITS Service Desk. With this form you may apply for all of the above accounts and others which may be relevant to your work, e.g.: Unix or Linux accounts. You must complete this form and have it signed by your supervisor or head of department. Return the form to your department's IT support person, or the nearest ITS Service Desk, who will use it to create an account name and enable access to the computers for which you have approval.

Passwords

You are allocated an initial password for your computer accounts. For the security of your accounts and stored information, this password MUST be changed within 12 hours and you should remember to change your passwords periodically (e.g.: every 2 months).

Standard Monash software

The core set of software recommended and supported across the university is known as the Standard Operating Environment (SOE). The SOE pages include information on licensing and software distribution, and a policy setting out frequency of updating, and ITS and organisational unit responsibilities.

Email and internet access

All university staff have access to their own Monash email. The capabilities of the email system include a web-based login where email can be accessed anytime and anywhere around the world via an internet connection. In the office, you can access your email via the full email client software on your computer for sending and receiving of messages and attachments.

As a staff member of the university, you have privileges to access the internet on-campus and are eligible to apply for access off-campus via the Monash dial-up service. Browsing websites external to Monash will require you to log in with your Authcate username and password. This process is called mandatory proxy authentication (MPA) and has been introduced for accurate university account keeping and billing.

Other communication services

ITS provides support for a range of other IT and communication services for staff including:

  • Online discussion newsgroups
  • Voicemail
  • Electronic calendaring
  • Personal digital assistants (PDAs)

Educational technologies - FLT and TFSU

The Flexible Learning and Teaching (FLT) program was established to facilitate ITS responsibilities, which commit the university to a more student-centred and flexible learning and teaching environment.

The Teaching Facilities Support Unit (TFSU) provides technical support for the university's lecture theatres and videoconferencing facilities. Support includes design and implementation of computer, network and audiovisual equipment, maintenance and day to day support of technology in lecture theatres and booking and support of videoconferencing facilities. 

Services for academics

Academic staff can request the creation of an email list of students within a particular subject. These are not created automatically but must be requested in writing to the ITS Service Desk with "Production Facilities: Request for subject email list creation" as the subject. You must include the subject code(s) and your staff number in the body of the message.

Some IT subjects may require students to use a UNIX or Linux environment. Academics who wish to make this available to students for their subject(s) must make a request. Please consult your departmental IT support person for details.

IT training

Training in the use of IT facilities and programs is available from many different service providers at Monash. Courses and training material are available for Microsoft Office applications, specialist technical training (e.g.: Dreamweaver) and on-line tutorial and help guides. Information about current training courses for staff is available.

IT assistance

Assistance for computer related problems should be directed at your departmental IT support person in the first instance. Otherwise, you can contact the ITS Service Desk in person, over the phone or via email.