USM is using an Electronic Course Evaluation (ECE) system. During the last week of classes, students will receive an email notice that asks them to complete your course evaluation online. This email will include a direct link to the course evaluation, and they will log-in by using their Mainestreet ID and password. The ratings on the evaluation will be very useful to instructors if they are answered thoughtfully and honestly. The responses students give are confidential and will be collected by the Office of Academic Assessment. After the final grades are posted, instructors will receive a summary report of the student responses. All student feedback is valued and is being used for course and program improvement purposes. Near the end of your course, please remind your students to go online and complete all of their course evaluations.

Brightspace is a resource provided by the University of Maine System’s Technology Service (UNET) that makes it easy for faculty members to manage electronic course material for their classes. The Web-based system has easy-to-use built in tools for posting course materials such as syllabi and handouts, emailing students, entering grades electronically, and linking to web sites including library reserve materials.

Instructors can invite student responses in a Discussion Board and set up student discussion groups. The course roster (including email addresses) of a Brightspace site is automatically maintained from the MaineStreet class list.

Here is a link for Brightspace Help for Instructors: https://help.Brightspace.com/Learn/Instructor The Helpdesk is also available at 780-4029 or 1-800-696-4357. Or by email: techsupport@maine.edu

You will not have access to Brightspace until your employment paperwork has been processed through Human Resources. Contact the Helpdesk at 780-4029 to obtain your ID and password and to activate your account. Brightspace website: Brightspace is accessed through the USM website portal: https://mycampus.maine.edu You will use the same ID and password as MaineStreet.

The HelpDesk posts all Brightspace courses as soon as the information about your course and your name have been received from the registrar’s office. If you were hired near the beginning of the semester, there may be a delay in this posting. Keep checking. Tammy Berry will email directions on the basics of using Brightspace and posting instructions to Portland-based instructors. Lewison instructors can get help from Elaine Ogrodnik.

MaineStreet is the University of Maine System’s online portal through which we access our administrative computing system and other System-wide online resources. It is used to obtain student information such as e-mails, class schedules and rosters, addresses, phone numbers and for submitting grades.

MaineStreet is also accessed through the USM website portal: https://mycampus.maine.edu You will use the same ID and password as Brightspace

Continuing faculty are asked to access their own rosters for each class. If you do not have access (because of a delay in paperwork processing) or you are a new instructor with us, Tammy Berry can email you your roster.

The HELP Desk provides computing support to staff, faculty and students. For questions about computer hardware, software, networking, e-mail, viruses and related topics, please call 207 780-4029 or 1-800-696-4357 or email usm-helpdesk@maine.edu. Callers will receive an immediate answer or a follow-up call.

Campus Card Services produce and manage the USM Card, which serves as the official University of Southern Maine identification card and also offers an array of services, access privileges, and purchasing functions. All USM staff, faculty, and students can obtain their first USM Card free of charge. Locations and hours of Card Services offices are located here: http://www.usm.maine.edu/usmcard.

While on campus, you should carry it with you at all times.

The bar code number on the USM Card, when activated by a member of the library circulation staff, becomes your library card number and can also be used to access certain restricted library databases and services from off-campus computers.

The USM Card provides security and convenience through the use of stored value accounts required for printing at Computing Labs and USM Libraries and can also be used for on-campus purchases at ARA Dining locations, vending machines and USM Bookstores.

ACTIVATE YOUR EMAIL AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR ACTIVATION CODE (so that the School of Nursing and students can contact you whenever needed.)

Follow the directions in your activation email from Human Resources which will direct you to contact the HelpDesk if you need more assistance. You will receive this email after your hiring paperwork has been processed by HR.