We know you're anxious to get started. Once you're accepted, you can activate your VCU e-mail account and plan for your computer needs. Here's what you need to know before you come to orientation (you have checked out New Student Orientation , right?).

First things first...your eID

eID is your identifier to authenticate you to use many VCU electronic services and web applications. Currently, the eID is used to gain access to the VCU Portal, wireless network, VCU MailAnywhere e-mail system, Blackboard Course Management System, Library Applications, and some departmental applications. Starting with the Fall 2007 semester, you'll also use your eID to register for classes and access the student information system.

To get your eID you'll need your V-number (on your certificate of admission) and your birthday. (Note that this page asks you for 2 of the 3 pieces of ID. If you don't know your VCU Card number, you can still get your eID with your V-number and birthday) When you activate your eID, you'll also be asked to create a password. In order to access VCU's computer systems, you'll need a strong password, which must contain 7-12 characters, cannot contain a recognizable word found in the dictionary, must contain one number not at the front or end of the password, and must include at least 4 different characters. For more help with passwords, see this page.

Go to the eID Finder to get your eID

Now get your e-mail!

Now that you have your eID, you have your e-mail address. Simply add @vcu.edu to your eID and use the same password. Okay, so you probably want to get your e-mail. There are several ways to to do this. The simplest is to log on to the myVCU Portal (using your eID and password). There's a portlet built in to get your e-mail. You can also use VCUMailAnywhere, which is the web-based interface for e-mail. Information about using this service is here (you can also get there by clicking the e-mail link at the top of the VCU Home Page) (hint: use the SimpleMail option when you log in for a simple web interface). Information about setting up your favorite e-mail program to get your VCU e-mail is available here, or you can download a PDF guide to using VCU's email system.

Your e-mail account carries some responsibilities with it as well. Those are outlined in these computer policies:

• Computer and Network Resources Use Policy
• Student Email Policy

It is important that you are familiar with these policies, because by accepting the email account you are agreeing to abide by them.

Poke around the menu bar on the left side of this page to get information about what

computer you need to succeed at VCU. Pay particular attention to the home page, which talks about the new laptop program we're starting this year. Computers in this program should be available in mid-May. Be on the lookout for a special mailing with more information about this mobile computing intiative. If you need to buy a new computer, you should wait until the specifications for Fall 2007 are posted here, which is usually sometime between mid-March and mid-April.

VCUCard--your other ID at VCU

Your VCUCard is your picture ID that gets you into your residence hall, dining hall, serves as your library card, lets you print or make copies in the library, and can serve as a pre-paid debit card. You'll need to deposit RamBucks on your card to do those last two things, and your parents can add money to your card from home using the VCUCard Online Card Office. You will get your VCUCard when you come for STAR, but if you want to learn more about it, you can get that information here.