pre-class Checklist

To ensure a successful term beginning, review all sections of the orientation and complete the following checklist. It may be helpful to print and keep for future reference. Refer to the term schedule to determine the start and end date of your course. 

c  USING TUITION ASSISTANCE OR VA BENEFITS?
Military personnel should visit http://www.cel.cmich.edu/military/tuition-discount.html for complete information.
Non-military, please visit http://www.cel.cmich.edu/finances/payments.html for voucher information.

c  COMPLETE THE STUDENT ORIENTATION. Visit:http://www.cel.cmich.edu/orientation/

c OBTAIN A GLOBAL ID AND PASSWORD (to be used with the Student Portal, Blackboard and Webmail).
Visit: https://myaccount.cmich.edu/newaccount/ and follow the prompts.  If you have difficulties, contact the IT Help Desk at 989-774-3662 or 800-950-1144 *3662.

c LOGIN TO THE STUDENT PORTAL at https://portal.cmich.edu  and do the following:

c ORDER TEXTBOOK(S) as soon as you complete registration.  In the portal under Support Services, click on "Order Textbooks from MBS" or go to http://direct.mbsbooks.com/cmu.htm or call (800) 325-3252.  Textbooks are stocked by EPN number for your course section and will be available as soon as registration begins for the course.  Students are expected to acquire their books before the first day of class, which is the first day of the term. Textbooks cannot be charged to your financial aid; you must utilize a credit card or personal check to purchase textbooks.

c ACCESS YOUR CMICH STUDENT EMAIL (WEBMAIL) ACCOUNT by clicking on “Webmail”. Check this regularly to receive important information from your instructor and the university concerning courses, billing statements, and so on.  Your e-mail address is [your global ID]@cmich.edu. Tuition bills are sent (and paid) through the Student Portal under “Finances” or “My Bill”. Final grades can be viewed through the Student Portal under “Academics”, then “My Grades”.

c LOGIN TO BLACKBOARD (Bb) http://blackboard.cmich.edu/ Classes appear in "My Courses" area the day following your registration.  If the course says “unavailable” it means you are registered, but the instructor has not yet made the course available to students.  Order your textbooks from the online bookstore, acquire your syllabus (see below), and continue to check the availability of your Web course in Bb.  Learning Package courses (LP) merely utilize Blackboard so a student can acquire the STUDENT MANUAL and instructor’s contact information.  No other features of Blackboard are utilized for Learning Package courses. FYI: Learning Package courses are only available as undergraduate credit.  Please contact your academic advisor for clarification.

c VIEW YOUR COURSE SYLLABUS  NOTE: Even if you cannot yet access your syllabus you can find textbook information and/or order your textbooks at MBS Direct. View syllabi at http://www.cel.cmich.edu/courses/course-syllabus.html   The syllabus will also be posted on Blackboard once your instructor makes the course available.  See ORDER TEXTBOOKS above; your textbooks will be available as soon as registration begins for the course from  MBS Direct bookstore and are stocked by EPN number for your course section; you must acquire your textbook prior to the first day of class.

c DESIGNATE A PROCTOR   All Learning Package and many Undergrad Web courses require a proctor for paper-based and/or proctored  online exams.  See the syllabus and Blackboard to learn if you need a proctor for exams.  To designate a proctor, visit: http://ddlcampus.cmich.edu/orientation/cgi-bin/proctors1.asp

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

c TEST COMPUTER COMPATIBILITY:  http://ddlcampus.cmich.edu/browsercheck/cgi-bin/systemcheck2.asp

c TRY ONLINE PREVIEW COURSE:  http://blackboard.cmich.edu. Enter onlinepreview in both the username and password fields. Click "Online Preview Class" link under "My Courses". Experiment with the various course features (online quizzes, discussion boards, etc.) in a practice environment.

c BLACKBOARD TUTORIALS Visit http://www.cmich.edu/blackboard and click "Student Tutorials".

c FREE WRITING ASSISTANCE Visit http://webs.cmich.edu/writingcenter/ and type username "writingcenter" and password "wconline" into the on-line form.

c FREE MATH ASSISTANCE Visit www.cst.cmich.edu/units/mth/mthcenter

c WITHDRAW FROM A COURSE Visit http://www.cel.cmich.edu/ecampus/courses/withdraw.asp  Be sure to review the refund chart for details before submitting your request. You will not be withdrawn from a course without written notification. Students who cease or fail to attend (virtual or otherwise), without formally withdrawing from the course will receive a grade of “E.” You may not drop or withdraw from any course after the term midpoint. Telephone requests to withdraw will not be accepted.

CMU IT Help Desk  800-950-1144 extension 3662 - Assists students with Blackboard access and features, computer problems, etc.
CMU Online Staff   800-688-4268  Email: cmuonline@cmich.edu  - Assists students with proctor/exam/withdrawal or general administrative questions.