Blackhawk students have access to computer labs at the Beloit-Janesville and Monroe campuses, and open-use computers in the Student Success Center and Health Sciences wing at the Beloit-Janesville campus Central building, and in the Learning Resource Center at the Monroe campus. MyEdChoice classes also have access to laptops for on-site use during class.
Students are welcome to bring their own devices to campus. All Blackhawk facilities are equipped with wireless internet access and all major student systems are internet based. Specialized software is available on virtual desktops. The Library, located in the Student Success Center at the Beloit-Janesville Campus Central building, also operates an equipment loan program where students can check out laptops, hotspots and other devices. The Student Success Center has charging stations and BYOD (bring-your-own-device) stations to dock a laptop and use a full-size monitor, keyboard and mouse.
IT Help Desk support is available during and between semesters and can be reached at 608-757-7711, by email at helpdesk@blackhawk.edu, online at helpdesk.blackhawk.edu, or in room 2506 at the Beloit-Janesville campus Central building.
Computer Use
Computers and computer systems owned by Blackhawk are to be used only for academic/instructional activities and other official college business. They are intended for use by Blackhawk students and employees.
Students will be provided login identification and a temporary password at their initial student registration. Usernames and passwords are unique to individuals and must not be shared. Every student is responsible for any activity under their username and password. Therefore, students should always log off a computer after each use. Computer users will be prompted every 180 days to change passwords.
Any use of college computer equipment and systems for illegal, unethical or fraudulent purposes is prohibited. Using college equipment or systems to display, transmit or distribute any material that is demeaning to persons of a particular gender, race, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or other protected class is considered harassment and is prohibited.
Students who violate computer use policies may lose privileges to use college equipment and systems and/or may be subject to disciplinary action. Blackhawk reserves the right to monitor the computer system and computer network use.
Network Account
A student’s network account provides access to Blackhawk computer network services, such as the internet, the MyBTC portal, the Learning Management System, Microsoft Office 365 products, and personal data storage space on OneDrive.
When a College computer is turned on, a "Welcome to Windows" message displays. Press CTRL + ATL + Delete to begin. Users will be prompted for their username and password. The username is typically the first initial of a person’s first name plus the person’s last name (no spaces between). Some users will have numbers added to ensure uniqueness. A student’s assigned username can be found on the acceptance letter or on the registration schedule/bill received after registering for classes.
The password is initially set to Blackhawk and the student’s nine-digit student ID number (found on the acceptance letter or on the student’s registration schedule/bill). First-time users will be automatically prompted to create a new password when attempting to log in with their temporary password (i.e., Blackhawk000123456) and will also be required to set up password recovery options and multifactor authentication (MFA) methods.
MyBTC (Student Portal)
The MyBTC portal is a student’s connection to College resources. Students can access the portal at blackhawk.edu with their full Blackhawk email address and password. In the portal, students can access information and their student records, including:
- Blackboard
- Register for classes
- Financial Aid
- Grades
- Make payments and set up payment plans through TouchNet
Students will be prompted to enter their password again the first time they access systems within the portal and after a password change.
Remember, always sign out, close the browser and log off the computer when finished.
Blackhawk Email Accounts
Every registered student is assigned an email account with his or her network account. The email address will be username@students.blackhawk.edu.
The Blackhawk student email account is Blackhawk's official communication method. It is where students receive emails specific to important College-wide and campus-specific announcements and communication with Blackhawk staff. Instructors may email students regarding assignments, class cancellations and course updates. Students should check it often to stay informed.
In order to ensure that emails are received, do not forward a student email account to an alternate account as security measures may block receipt of emails.
Student email accounts can be accessed via the MyBTC portal and by clicking on Webmail, or directly at outlook.office365.com/, using your full email address and password.
Students are encouraged to check their Blackhawk email daily. This is the official email address used for College business.
Blackboard
Blackboard is a learning management system. All Blackhawk courses use this tool to distribute and collect materials as well as to conduct discussions and assessments. Classes offered in person may use Blackboard to support in-class instruction.
Blackboard can be accessed via the MyBTC portal, or users can go directly to the Blackboard website at blackhawk.blackboard.com, choosing the “Login with BTC” third-party login option, and using your full email address and password.
All students are enrolled in a course titled Orientation to Online Learning. This is a valuable resource for learning about Blackboard functions and course procedures.
Passwords and Account Security
Users will be prompted to change their password every 180 days. Passwords must be complex, meaning that they combine uppercase, lowercase, symbols and numbers or at least three of those four groups; passwords must also be eight or more characters in length and are case-sensitive. To change a network/MyBTC password on a Blackhawk computer:
Log in to the network:
- Press CTRL + ALT + Delete
- Select change password
- Enter the current password
- Enter the new password twice
- Click "OK"
Or from anywhere:
Log in to Webmail or any Office 365 app and click your name to access and modify various account settings, including changing your password.
At the first login, users will be prompted to configure multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure secure access to their account and data. MFA helps secure each account in the event that a cybercriminal compromises a user’s password, and can be used to confirm their identity if they need to reset their own password. Never approve an MFA request when you are not actively trying to log in to a Blackhawk system.
Forgotten passwords may be reset by clicking the “Forgot Password” link on any login screen. For further assistance, users can come to the IT help desk in room 2506 at the Beloit-Janesville campus Central building with a photo ID to have their password reset.
Do not share your password. Blackhawk employees will never ask for your password. Blackhawk will never text, call or email you threatening to disable your account.
Printing
Registered students will automatically receive the following FREE printing budget at the beginning of each semester: Fall and Spring $15; Summer $5.
Printing prices are as follows:
- 3¢ – double-sided black ink
- 18¢ – double-sided color ink
- 2¢ – more each for single-sided
Students may increase their budget in-person at the Registration and Records Office. Funds added to the printing budget do not roll over to the next semester.