Remote learning technology resources for UB students

If your current computer is not sufficient for 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 SUNY Laptop/Remote Device Grant. Submit an application to loan a laptop for coursework.
  

• 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:

• Spectrum:
  
  • Free high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi  for 60 days for customers with a college student residing at the address, living in a Spectrum service area, and who do not have Internet through Spectrum, through their Remote Education Offer program. Call 844-310-1198 for a free self-installation kit.
    
  • 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.

• 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: Visit spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots.html to find Spectrum's Wi-Fi hotspots, which are currently free for public use.
    
  • Xfinity: Students can visit xfinity.com/wifi to find a Wi-Fi hotspot in New York City and other locations. Once at a hotspot, select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a web browser.
  • Wiman Mobile and other providers also offer hotspots at no cost. 
  • 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 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.