Future Sycamore Students

What do I need to know about bringing a personal laptop to campus?

You will need a laptop for academic use. ISU maintains a robust application infrastructure centered around Microsoft technologies. As such, Windows-based computers will allow for the greatest ease-of-use. However, experienced Mac users will be fully supported on their Apple devices as well. If you have used mostly Windows or Chromebook devices in the past, we highly recommend bringing a Windows-based laptop for academics. Chromebooks are not recommended.

A computer with a minimum of 8GB RAM, 256 GB Storage, and an i5 or M.1 processor will be adequate for most academic needs. Many majors will require additional specifications and you should check with your academic department about their computer requirements prior to purchasing a device. Some examples are:

• Business, Construction, and STEM - You will use some applications that will not run on a Mac, and you must have a Windows computer. It is also recommended that you have at least 16GB RAM, 512 GB Storage, and an i7 processor.
• Art, Design, and Theater - Most of your class demonstrations will be using Macs. You may find it easier to have an Apple computer. If you will be doing video processing or any 3D digital work, you should have at least 16 GB RAM, 512 GB Storage, and an M.2 processor.

Do NOT purchase anti-virus or Microsoft Office. ISU provides both products once you have activated your account and are registered for classes. You will be able to log in to http://www.office.com/ to install the Microsoft 365 apps.

Warranties and Accidental Damage Protection are recommended. Students live a busy mobile life, and their computers are subject to more damage than the average device. If you need help filing a claim, you can visit our Technology Support Center for assistance. We are also available to assist with installing software, virus clean-up, and general troubleshooting. The TSC is located in Stalker Hall 009.

What do I need to know about bringing smart devices to campus?

Gaming consoles, smart TV's, and similar items are allowed on the campus wireless network as well as wired connections in residence halls. When you arrive on campus, you'll need to register the device prior to connecting. We cannot guarantee that all devices are compatible with our network. Some consumer devices do not have the capabilities of working on enterprise networks. For more information about supported devices, please read this article. 

What do I need to know about guest wireless access?

ISU maintains three wireless networks on campus: ISU-SECURE, EduRoam, and ISU-OPEN. ISU-OPEN is our guest wireless network. When you connect to the network, you'll be prompted to register. Full instructions can be found here. Students who have activated their University Account should use ISU-SECURE.

Activate your University User Account!

Once you are admitted as a student at Indiana State University, you will be issued a University User Account.  Indiana State requires multi factor authentication to access network resources that you will use during your educational journey.  To activate your account and setup security, please refer to the knowledgebase article located at: Article - How to Activate Your Univer... (teamdynamix.com)

Setting up your University User Account also provides you with access to all online internal help resources via the OIT Service Portal.  You can visit our Service Portal by going to: OIT Client Portal Service Portal Home (teamdynamix.com)

You can easily setup your Sycamore email to work successfully on your smartphone with the Outlook app.  Once your University Account is set up, refer to this knowledgebase article Article - Smartphone FAQ (teamdynamix.com) to be able to send and receive email on your smartphone.