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Prepare yourself for effective and efficient remote work.

Learn about the technology and information ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ employees may utilize to create a successful remote work environment.

Using a ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ laptop is the best option for working remotely. If you don’t have a ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ-issued laptop you may use a personal computer, preparing it according to the guidance found on this page.

¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Equipment in your Home Office Survey

All employees working remotely must fill out the following survey, allowing ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ to keep track of which ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ-owned equipment employees have borrowed for use at home.

Security & Privacy

Working remotely can create a new set of security and privacy concerns of which you should be mindful.

• Ensure your computer has been updated with the latest Operating System updates.
• Don't use public WiFi, instead use a secure, password-protected WiFi network.
• Find more security information at

Hardware

Take inventory of the equipment you currently have and need to be successful at working remotely. 

• Computer:  You may use your ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ-issued laptop.  If you do not have a ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ-issued laptop, contact ITS at itshelp@colgate.edu to discuss options, or available from the Service Desk.
• Phone: Your work line can be forwarded to your home phone or mobile number.  
• Headset:  If you anticipate making  or calls with audio,  it may be beneficial to use a headset with a microphone to improve call quality.  ITS has a limited supply of headsets available.  Contact ITS for more information.

Software

¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ has licensing available for an array of software that staff may install on their ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ-issued computers:

Supported software: employee computers

Most licensed software that can be installed on University owned machines is either pre-installed or can be found in the Software Center (found in the start menu of a Windows computer).  
 

Remotely Access the Campus Network (VPN)

If you need to access any of the , you will need to first make a VPN connection for cyber security reasons.

Set up your VPN connection

Communications

• Zoom Phone:
  • Zoom Phone is a modern phone service that works within the Zoom app on your laptop or desktop, on iOS or Android mobile devices, or traditional deskphones.  For more information, visit colgate.edu/phones.
• Web Conferencing:
  • : Works with your Google account and can be added to calendar invites or on-demand. Use on your web browser or on the Hangouts Meet app on your mobile device. Communicate with video and voice, or just voice, and share computer screens remotely.
  • : Sign in with your ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ network username and password to get started. Schedule meetings in advance or use Zoom on-demand. Zoom is available via web browser or on the Zoom App on your mobile device.  Zoom allows users to communicate via video and voice, or just voice. Advanced features allow for computer screen sharing, group polling, and more.

Visit our Video Conferencing page for more information.

Home Internet Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing poor internet or connection speeds, below are a few tips, but we also recommend you contact your internet service provider for more advanced troubleshooting.

Home Wireless

• Check your internet connection by going to .
• If you determine you have a poor connection, restart your cable modem and/or router.
• Close unnecessary apps on your computer.
• Try to manage the timing of others in your household using large amounts of bandwidth, like streaming video.
• Use a wired Ethernet cable if possible.
• Please remember that public Wi-Fi hotspots should not be considered safe and secure.

Wireless Cell Phone Carriers

Depending on your cell phone plan, you may be able to make your phone a hotspot and connect your laptop wirelessly to your phone.  If your plan includes a hotspot option, place your phone in a location where it can receive the best signal from the nearest cell phone tower, and connect your laptop to its wireless network.  Perform a connection test by going to   - the wireless connection from your cell carrier at your home may or may not be faster than your home cable or DSL connection. 

Home Internet Service Providers (ISP)

If you are experiencing connection issues, you may want to consider the following:

• Reboot your router or modem.
• Contact your ISP to:
  • conduct advanced troubleshooting.
  • discuss options for a home service visit to check your exterior and interior cables/lines, and discuss options to upgrade your equipment (modem) or service plan.

Since 2015, New York State has to local ISPs to increase the availability and upgrade existing networks in rural areas of the state.  The availability of service or the connection speeds at your home address may have changed.  Contact your ISP to find out more:

Training

For training on an array of systems, software, and more, consider:

• : Training for employees to begin using key platforms and services such as Zoom, offered virtually by ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ's own technologists.
• : Online learning resource covering a vast array of content.