17�Թ���

An email with important instructions regarding your network account will be sent in mid-May to the email account used to apply to 17�Թ���. Instructions will walk you through the process of activating your network and Gmail accounts. If you cannot locate the email, check your spam folder. If you are unable to locate it, contact the ITS Help Desk using Helpdesk-Request@holycross.edu and another activation email will be initiated.

These accounts must be activated in order to complete your Incoming Student forms and deadlines.

Your new network account will provide access to campus lab computers, WiFi and important applications such as STAR and Canvas. Your network username and passphrase are also needed in order to create your new Gmail account passphrase. It is very important that you enroll in our Passphrase Reset Service. This service allows you to change your passphrase and reset a forgotten passphrase.

Please note, you will be required to setup 2-step verification. This must be completed within 30 days, otherwise your account will be locked. 

We are thrilled to introduce you to the Okta Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution, a cutting-edge platform that will enhance the security and efficiency of our digital ecosystem here at the 17�Թ���. Our primary goal is to safeguard your sensitive data and ensure a seamless user experience for all. With Okta IAM, we now have a comprehensive tool to simplify and strengthen our identity and access management processes.

While Okta provides many functions including secure single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and user provisioning, our initial feature deployment will be a replacement for our current passphrase self-service reset portal. Additional changes and centralization will come at later times.

Please see the detailed steps below for what to expect:

• Browse to:
• Select: Manage Network Passphrase
• Note: Resetting your Network passphrase will automatically update your Gmail passphrase.
• Enter your Network username or full 17�Թ��� email address
• Select Email or Phone to provide identity verification to initiate the passphrase recovery.
• Note: If you are unable to provide email or phone or require a change of email or phone number, please call the Help Desk for assistance.
• Once you have been verified, please select a new passphrase in accordance with the listed requirements.
• Once the passphrase has been reset, you will receive a confirmation email.
• Reminder, this will automatically update both your Network account and your Gmail account passphrase.
• Open your browser to www.gmail.com, login using your full email address and the new passphrase you created.
• Follow the . 2-step verification should be setup while using a computer and not a cell phone.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Gmail 2-step verification must be setup within 30 days of your first login to Gmail. At 30 days, your account will automatically lock.
• Do not share your passphrases with anyone. If you think someone might know your passphrase, reset it immediately using the steps above.

• ITS will NOT ask for any password, please do not include this information in email or a ticket to the ITS Help Desk. 

  A number of offices on campus will be sending you information via email this summer. Please check your 17�Թ��� Gmail account regularly for updates.

The College does not provide or sell computers. We recommend a computer that is using at least Windows 11 and Mac OS within the last 3 versions (currently v15 Sonoma). We offer support on Apple Mac, Windows 10 & 11, and Chromebook laptops. WiFi is accessible across the campus, including wired LAN connections for desktops in residence halls. Each room is fitted with purple LAN port connections.  

The ITS Help Desk is available to troubleshoot any device brought to campus. We support Apple devices, while we cannot repair hardware issues, we will troubleshoot and make recommendations as needed. ITS Help Desk staff are certified for Dell and HP repairs, if required Dell and HP technicians will perform repairs at the Help Desk, providing the warranty purchased is "Onsite Support".

Here are a few recommendations when purchasing or preparing to bring a laptop to campus:

• Minimum hardware Core i5, 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD hard drive, running Windows 11
• MacOS - Macbook - M2 chip or later, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD hard drive; Apple only supports the last 3 operating system versions. We recommend version 15 Sonoma or newer
• Chromebooks - We currently use the Lenovo Chromebook 14 E Generation 3 model on campus; these work very well

• Dell and HP offer a 4-year accidental warranty. We highly recommend this type of warranty due to potential spill damage that occurs each year.
• We recommend getting an extended Apple Care Plus plan for your mac, which covers limited accidental damage. For more information please see 

• Update all software operating system patches for both Windows and Mac operating systems
• We recommend the  and 
• Malwarebytes for Windows  Free version
• Malwarebytes for Mac 
• Mac OS antivirus 

Microsoft Office - NO need to purchase; all students have access to Office 365 for free

Please note, your 17�Թ��� subscription is free while enrolled at the College. Unlike Google Docs for Education, Office 2016 and any files saved in Office 365 will be disabled upon graduation.

Simply login using your HC email account and your Network passphrase. Available for Mac, Windows and Chrome devices. 

•  - How to install and configure the GlobalProtect software to access on campus systems such as Remotedesk01
•  - Install and configure access to RemoteDesk01. Provides access to special software such as, Spss, Stata, Mathlab, Mathematica, etc. 

• Our phone number is 508-793-3548. We are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. AnswerConnect supports our users after working hours and during holidays.
• General questions can be submitted to HelpDesk@holycross.edu
• Use helpdesk-request@holycross.edu to submit a ticket to the ITS Help Desk ticket system. Please include a description of your issue. Please do not send any sensitive, protected information or passwords.
• View our for more information.

• We have a limited number of loaner laptops available. To request a loaner laptop:
  • Visit 
  • Sign in with Google
  • Fill out the form with your device requirements and click submit.
  • If we have a device that is available, you will receive an email that your request has been approved. If we do not have a device in stock, you will receive an email saying that your request has been rejected.