Remote learning technology resources for UB students

If your current computer is not sufficient for coursework or remote learning (for example, you don’t have a web cam), here are some resources that may help:

• Living near campus? Socially-distanced iMacs in Silverman Library offer web cams, Respondus LDP Lab and other software, which you can also access from home.
  

• Buying a new computer? Look at UB's student computer standards. Make sure your device meets UB's minimum recommendations before you buy. Check with your school or department too, they may have additional recommendations.

• Take advantage of discounts with Apple, Lenovo and Dell. Find educational discount pricing through Apple, Lenovo and Dell. Other device retailers may offer discounts to college students.
  
  
• Apply for a laptop through the UB Laptop Loan Program. Submit an application to loan a laptop for coursework for the semester.
  

• Financial Aid adjustments toward a new laptop: Contact an advisor at 716-645-8232 or UBFA@buffalo.edu to see if you are eligible for a budget adjustment towards a laptop purchase.

If you have poor or no Internet connection and cannot use UB online apps like MyUB and HUB, UB Learns, UBbox and Zoom, there are options available to you:

Eligible households can visit acpbenefit.org to take advantage of a federal program offering discounts of up to $30 per month for broadband internet service, as well as a one-time $100 discount on a computer or tablet.

This program is open to households already participating in the Pell Grant program. It is also open to households that:

• Participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider (see below)
• Subscribe to the Lifeline program for low-income consumers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits
• Have kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast
• Contain individuals who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year

This program of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), formerly the Emergency Broadcast Benefit, is active as of May 12, 2021. For more information about this program, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/acp.

• Spectrum: Qualified low-income families who live in a Spectrum service area can apply to receive free high-speed Internet (Wi-Fi is $5/month) through the Internet Assist program.  Internet speed is 30 Mbps downstream.   
• Comcast: Qualified low-income families who live in a Comcast service area can apply to receive 2 months of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available for $9.95/month (plus tax). Customers must apply and be approved by June 30, 2021.
  
  • Internet speed is 50 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream.
• Check with your local provider: Other Internet service providers may currently have similar offers.
• Find other low-cost Internet options

• On-campus
  • eduroam Wi-Fi in Parker, Furnas and Greiner parking lots: To help support UB students and employees without adequate internet connections at home to practice social distancing, three lots on UB’s North and South Campus now have access to fast, secure UB Wi-Fi.
    
• Away from campus
  • Spectrum: Spectrum customers can visit spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots.html to find Spectrum's Wi-Fi hotspots.
    
  • Xfinity: Xfinity customers can visit xfinity.com/wifi to find a Wi-Fi hotspot in New York City and other locations.
    
  • eduroam at other schools: Many research schools also offer eduroam Wi-Fi access, which is the same encrypted Wi-Fi network available on UB's campus and available free to anyone who has connected to eduroam at UB in the past.

Students can download UB-supported software, including Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more), from the UBIT website.  

If you are unable to download software on your personal device, you can also connect to a virtual desktop with installed software from a web browser, using My Virtual Public Site.

Another option is to run a virtual version of the desktop of the computers in UB's computing sites.

You can also run Microsoft 365 software, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, OneNote cloud storage and Teams.  

If you're having problems with your computer, Internet connection, Zoom or other technology used for learning online, follow these tips for troubleshooting common technology problems.

If you are experiencing a hardship due to these unexpected changes, contact Student Conduct and Advocacy for support resources.

If you encounter any problems using UB online services, please contact the UBIT Help Center at 716-645-3542 or buffalo.edu/ubit/help. Find our support hours.