For Faculty

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Q: What is Canvas?
A: A modern, open, user-friendly teaching and learning platform for today's faculty and students.The CSUN Canvas environment is now available. Faculty can access Canvas at http://canvas.csun.edu using your CSUN credentials. 

Q: What are the key features of Canvas?
A: Canvas has all the features of a modern learning management system including the ability to accept and grade assignments, conduct discussions in forums, administer quizzes and exams, store and organize course resources, communicate with students, etc. Canvas has multiple grading tools including rubrics, audio/video feedback and a dedicated grading app. Students can access course materials, view course calendars, to do lists and set their own preferences to receive notifications on their mobile devices.

Q: What can I do now to learn more about Canvas?
A: Canvas provides extensive user support resources including video tutorials, how-to guides and documentation, and instructor training courses. Canvas hosts a number of Community Forums for reviewing answers to previously asked questions, posting new questions, and voting up enhancement requests.

Here are some recommended resources:

• Canvas Instructor Overview Video - Video (6m 23s)
• Getting Started (Instructor Guides) - Web documentation for instructors
• Canvas Student Guide - Web documentation for students
• CSUN's Teaching with Canvas Workshop (Course) - Online, self-paced course in Canvas
• CSUN's Canvas Faculty QuickStart Guide - Printable PDF

Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Visit the Canvas page for more information. 

Q: Can my students or I send email to a class list from a non–CSUN email address?
A: No. Class List(s) can only receive email from CSUN email addresses.

Q: Can I have an auto–generated list which contains the email addresses of select majors, minors, etc.?
A: Automated lists are only created for classes. It is possible that lists such as those you are requesting for majors, minors, etc. will be created automatically in the future, however those lists are not available at this time. 

Q: I would like to use the class-list that has been auto-generated for my class. What is the email address?
A: Your class e-mail lists can be utilized by sending an e-mail message to one of the two e-mail addresses available for your list.

1. The first format is based on the class number and semester. The format follows the formatting of "class[semester].[class number] ". For example, if you were teaching a class with the class number "12345" in the fall of 2021, the address to use would be "classfa21.12345-cATcsun.edu". AT=@
2. The second format is based on the semester, the class name, and the section number. The format follows the formatting of "[semester].[abbreviated class name].[section number] ". For example, if you were teaching English 101, section 3, in the fall of 2021, the address to use would be "fa21.eng101.03-cATcsun.edu". AT=@

Q: Do I have to use my auto-generated class lists or can I create my own class lists?
A: Faculty members are not required to use the lists that have been provided. If you prefer to create your own mailing lists, you can use the campus Majordomo List Service (.pdf). 

Q: Are these class lists the same as the SOLAR email lists located in the myNorthridge Portal? 
A: These new class lists although similar in function to the SOLAR email lists within the Portal, use a different system, and the two are not tied together at this time. 

Q: What happens if students add or drop my course; will they be added to this class list automatically? What happens if I am no longer teaching this course?
A: The list is updated on a daily basis to reflect the current enrollment of your class; so there is no need for you to maintain the list. If you are no longer teaching the course for which you have received a notification message, do not worry; the class list will automatically be updated with the current professor.

Q: Are waitlisted students included in the email lists?
A: No, waitlisted students are not included in the email lists. The recipients are limited to only students who are enrolled in the course.

Q: How do I view my class rosters?
A: View the Faculty Center: Class Rosters, Emailing Students, Permission Numbers - Reference Guide (.pdf).

Q. Why can’t I see my class rosters?
A. Ask your department administrator to confirm that you are the primary or secondary instructor of the class in the SOC. Also verify that you have an active date from the beginning of the semester or earlier in the Instructor/Advisor Table.

Q: How do I access the CSUN Portal for the first time?
A: Visit the CSUN homepage and go to MyCSUN > CSUN Portal. Log in with your CSUN User ID and Password will be issued when you sign–in with Human Resources. If you have not already done so, bring your completed New Employee Sign–In Form to the Human Resources office located in Room 165 of the University Hall building. The sign–in hours at Human Resources are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Q: When does maintenance take place?
A: Wednesdays from 8:00pm through midnight and once a month on Sundays from 12:00am through 6:00am. During these times, access may be intermittently unavailable. 

Q: Where can I find how-to guides on using the CSUN Portal and SOLAR? 
A: Visit SOLAR Support: Student Administration and go to the "Information for Faculty" section on the left-hand side.

Q: How do I access faculty email?
A: View Options for Accessing CSUN Email (Webmail, Email Client, Smartphone)

Q: Even though I’m using Internet Explorer as my browser, I’m still getting the "light" version of Webmail even though the checkbox isn’t marked when I log in.
A: If you selected the option to Use the blind and low vision experience when logging into Webmail the first time, you will automatically be set to use the "light" version of Webmail when you log in. To disable this setting, go to Options, Accessibility and un-check the box to Use the blind and low vision experience. Once you’ve saved the change, next time you log in to Webmail, you will be on the "premium" version.

Q: In Webmail, how do I select multiple messages to delete/move/copy at once?
A: Depending on what version of Webmail you use (premium vs. light), there are two different ways to select multiple messages, after which you can perform the action (delete, move, etc.). Locate the version you are using and complete the following steps:

Premium: Hold down the ctrl key while selecting individual messages to select each message you click on. If you want to select blocks of messages in a contiguous block, you can hold down the shift key and click on the first message, then the last message. All of the messages between and including your first and last selections will be selected.

Light: There is an empty check-box next to each message which can be filled in to mark the message as selected. Fill in the check box for every message you want selected. If you want to select all of the messages on a page, there is a check box at the very top of the column of check boxes which will select all messages on the page if used.

Q: I am using Webmail and my session keeps timing out. What should I do?
A: When you log in to Webmail, the default Security setting is: This is a private or shared computer. If this option is selected, your session will timeout after 15 minutes. To extend your session, select This is a private computer and your session will timeout after 60 minutes. 

Q: Can I forward my CSUN email to a personal email account?
A: Yes. Visit Forwarding Your CSUN Email and sign in with your CSUN email address and password. Select Forward and enter your Forwarding Address. Select Apply Changes to save.

Q: I am enrolled in classes at CSUN and have a student Gmail account. Can I auto–forward emails from Gmail to my Exchange account?
A: Yes. Log in to Gmail. Go to Settings and select Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Enter your forwarding address in the Forward a copy of incoming mail to field.

Q: How do I change the way that my name appears in email?
A: View Changing your Preferred Name in SOLAR. Please note that the Last Name, First Name format cannot be changed to First Name, Last Name.

Q: Email that I send from my CSUN email account is not always delivered. What is wrong?
A: CSUN students, faculty and staff have the option to auto-forward their CSUN email account to a personal email address. A recipient’s personal email address may be invalid and this is why they are not receiving your email. All users who have established auto-forwarding should monitor their personal email address on a regular basis. Please note that email sent outside of CSUN’s email system is unprotected. For this reason, we do not recommend sending/forwarding email which contains confidential or sensitive information. 

Q: Is email that I send from my CSUN email account protected?
A: Email that is sent outside of CSUN’s email system is not protected. For example, if a recipient auto-forwards their CSUN email to a personal email address, your email will be routed to another system such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, or AOL. For this reason, we do not recommend sending/forwarding email which contains confidential or sensitive information.

All active CSUN students, faculty and staff who have enrolled in Duo MFA have access to LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn users have the option to connect their LinkedIn profile with their LinkedIn Learning account to receive personalized training recommendations.

Q: Do I need to connect my LinkedIn profile?
A: No, you will have the option to connect your LinkedIn profile or create a separate Learning account during activation.

If you choose to connect your LinkedIn profile, you’ll receive personalized recommendations for your skills and position, as well as what’s trending on LinkedIn Learning based on LinkedIn data. Once your profile is connected, you may be asked to log in with your LinkedIn log in info. 

Q: How do I access LinkedIn Learning?
A: Log in to LinkedIn Learning with your CSUN user ID and password. You must be an active faculty, staff, enrolled student, or auxiliary user who is also enrolled in Duo MFA to use LinkedIn Learning. 

Q: Is there an app for LinkedIn Learning?
A: Yes. The LinkedIn Learning app is available for download. 

Q: I linked my CSUN account with my LinkedIn profile and now I am not able to log in. How do I log in?
A: If you linked your accounts, and you are using the CSUN username and password to access LinkedIn, you will be redirected to a LinkedIn branded log in page. Use your LinkedIn account information to access your CSUN LinkedIn Learning profile. 

Q: Need help?
A: If you need help or have additional questions, please contact the IT Help Center. 

LinkedIn Learning is a free training resource. Learn at your own pace from anywhere. Want to learn Photoshop? Or brush-up on Microsoft Office? All you have to do is log in with your CSUN credentials to get started. 

Login to LinkedIn Learning

Q: What types of media services are available to faculty?
A: A range of audio and visual (A/V) services are available for faculty. To learn more, visit Media Services.

Q: How do I know what type of media equipment is available in my classroom?
A: View a list of Media Equipment in Auditoriums and Classrooms.

Q. I need help with the equipment in the classroom I am in. Who do I call?
A. Classroom Support at (818) 677-1500.

Q: Can I connect my Mac laptop to the classroom projector?
A: Yes. You will need a Mac VGA adapter. There are different types of adapters for different models of Mac laptops. Media Services provides short term check-out of Mac adapters at Classroom Technology Help (Oviatt Library, Room 18). These adapters can also be purchased from Apple. Before purchasing, please be sure to consult your Mac laptop owner's manual to determine which VGA adapter is compatible with your computer.

Once you have obtained the proper adapter, simply connect one end to your laptop and the other to the VGA cable that is available in the classroom.

For frequently asked questions, visit the myCSUNbox page.

For frequently asked questions, visit the myCSUNtablet page.

Q: How can I access CSUN's computing resources from an off-campus location?
A: Most resources such as the CSUN Portal, and Gmail can be accessed via an internet browser. Others, such as the WebDrive require a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. The VPN creates a secure connection called a "tunnel" between your computer and the campus network.

Q: I am repeatedly being prompted for my CSUN User ID and Password when I try to connect. Why is this happening?
A: Make sure you are using your correct User ID and Password. To verify this information, view the CSUN User ID and Password Instructions. If you continue to have difficulties, contact the IT Help Center.

Q: When I try to connect to the VPN, I receive the message, Initializing the connection. However, after a while, I am simply back at the connection screen where I get a disconnected message. Why does this happen?
A: From the configuration screen, ensure that the portal address value is set to vpn.csun.edu. If you continue to have difficulties, contact the IT Help Center.

Q: How can I protect my CSUN campus account?
A: The number one way to keep your CSUN account safe is to never give your CSUN password to anyone, including family and friends. Second, when using public computers to connect to campus services such as email or the myNorthridge Portal, always log off the computer before walking away. Finally, never download and install software from unknown/un-trusted sources, and only visit trusted web sites. If you believe that your CSUN password has been compromised, immediately change your password and contact the IT Help Center.

Q: How do I obtain Antivirus software for my computer?
A: Symantec Anti-Virus is available for students, faculty and staff at no additional cost. Visit the CSUN Software Downloads page and sign in with your CSUN user ID and password. You will see Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate Edition available for downloading to a PC or Mac.

Q: Which software programs help combat spyware?
A: We recommend installing Spybot–S&D or Lavasoft Ad–Aware.

Q: What is a STOP security plate? How do I obtain one for my laptop?
A: For $10.00, a STOP security plate is the most cost–effective, anti–theft and recovery product available. Whether your laptop is lost or stolen, a STOP plate may increase the chances of your laptop being returned to you. For more information, view the Personal Electronics Security page. 

Q: Will CSUN ever ask me for personal information via email?
A: No. Any email message asking for personal information such as user IDs, passwords, birthdates, and social security numbers is likely to be a phishing scam. Often, phishing scams will look like they're from banking institutions and other trusted organizations (such as the CSU). If you receive one of these messages, delete it immediately and never respond. Learn more.

Q: What kind of software/hardware discounts are available to CSUN faculty?
A: There are several options available to faculty for obtaining software and hardware for academic and personal use. View Faculty & Staff – Software/Hardware Purchasing Options.

Q: What is SOLAR?
A: SOLAR is the name for the administrative applications at CSUN. For faculty, SOLAR generally refers to the section in the CSUN Portal where you can enter grades, view class rosters, update contact information, etc. 

Q: Where can I find how-to guides on using SOLAR? 
A: Visit SOLAR Student Administration for more information or visit the Information for Faculty & Staff page for the available how-to guides. 

Q. When can I begin submitting grades?
A. Usually, grade rosters become available a week before finals week.

Q. How do I submit grades?
A. View the Faculty Center: Recording Grades Reference Guide (.pdf). Or, if you'd like to upload your grades from a spreadsheet, view Moving Your Final Grades from Canvas to SOLAR.

Q. When is the deadline to submit grades?
A. Grades are due five business days after the day of the final.

Q. How do I change a grade after I have already submitted grades?
A. Review the Faculty Center - Changing Grades (.pdf). 

• Note: The Online Grade Change option cannot be used if the student has a record of graduation from CSUN. If this is the case, a Correction of Grade Report must be submitted to process the grade change. 

Q. I need to submit grades but the Approve/Submit button is disabled. What do I do?
A. Ask your department administrator to confirm that you are the primary or secondary instructor of the class and have Approve status in the schedule of classes. 

Q. I am entering an "I" Incomplete grade for a student and the system won't let me submit my grades without an incomplete contract. What do I do?
A. If an "I" grade is entered, you must complete an incomplete contract for the student before grades can be submitted. To learn how to do this, view the Incomplete Contract Reference Guide (.pdf). Once a contract is on file for the student, you can submit your grades. 

Q. How do I issue permission numbers?
A. View the Faculty Center: Class Rosters, Emailing Students, Permission Numbers - Reference Guide (.pdf).

Q. How can I verify that a student used the permission number?
A. Permission numbers that have been successfully used can be found in the "Used Permission Numbers" section in SOLAR.

Q: Where can I find user guides, tutorials and other resources for software/applications used at CSUN? 
A: Visit the IT Training Guides and Resources page. LinkedIn Learning is also available to you. To access the library for free, log in with your CSUN user ID and password. 

Login to Linkedin Learning

Q: Does IT offer any on-site training? 
A: Yes. View the IT Workshop Calendar.

Q: How do I find my CSUN User ID and Password? 
A: Your CSUN User ID and Password will be issued when you sign–in with Human Resources. If you have not already done so, bring your completed New Employee Sign–In Form to the Human Resources office located in Room 165 of the University Hall building. The sign–in hours at Human Resources are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Q: How do I change my CSUN password?
A: Go to Forgot My Password. If this does not work, contact the IT Help Center by phone at (818) 677-1400, online at (https://csun.topdesk.net/) or in person in (Oviatt Library, First Floor, Learning Commons). For security reasons, the Help Center is unable to reset your password via email.

Q. Is there a guide to walk me through the password reset process?
A. Yes. Please review the Portal Password Reset guide (.pdf). 

For information about web conferencing, visit the Zoom webpage.

Q: How do I access CSUN wireless?
A: Connect to CSUN's encrypted wireless network, eduroam. This network will require a one-time login using your CSUN email address and will not require a VPN connection for additional security. Learn more.

Q: Where can I access CSUN Wireless?
A: CSUN's wireless connection works throughout the campus. Connections in the parking lots and away from academic or residential buildings my be intermittent.

Q: Which devices are compatible with CSUN's wireless network?
A: Most Wi-Fi capable devices purchased since the last quarter of 2006 are compatible; however, Gaming devices (e.g. Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox etc.) are not compatible. 

Q: Can I access the wireless network from more than one computer at the same time?
A: Yes.