To prepare for working remotely, make sure you have access to the following equipment and systems at home:
Laptop or desktop - Do you have adequate computing hardware at home? You will need a reliable laptop or desktop computer with the most recent software and operating system. If you require an Elms laptop, speak with your supervisor.
Monitor - You can connect your laptop to your home monitor or Smart TV.
Microphone and webcam - These may be built into your computer, or you can use an external device such as a USB microphone, webcam or headset. IT has a few units available for loan.
Internet – From your internet service provider (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum, Xfinity, etc.), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.
Be prepared! It's best to know these options will work before you actually need them. Test access to your equipment and resources at home before the need arises. If you do not have equipment at home that meets these standards, please contact your immediate supervisor.
A stable internet connection is critical for remote work. If you find that you are experiencing slowness or drops in connectivity during work activities, first consider trying to disconnect internet heavy devices such as streaming services and video game consoles. If you do not see improvement, test your connection speed or consider contacting your internet provider for further assistance.
Google has several collaboration tools to simplify your remote experience. Click on Google Resources to see the tools available.
If you plan to host your own meetings, you must request a Zoom account. If you are joining a meeting someone else scheduled, simply click on the meeting link to enter the meeting.
If your files are stored on the Elms network in either your home directory or department share, you must use an Elms laptop and a VPN connection to access those files. Consider sharing files in Google drive if p
All Elms College faculty and staff are required to take the annual Information Security Awareness Training. It is important to stay vigilant while working remotely and remember that we are more vulnerable to security threats away from the office.
For all additional questions and assistance, please contact us:
Ticket: Submit a support ticket through the end user portal: https://servicedesk.elms.edu
Call: 413-265-2390 (x2390 on campus)
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM.