Welcome to the Technology Help Desk's 

Password FAQs

the following are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about e-mail/network and blackboard passwords.  

Please remember that you can contact the Technology Help Desk by stopping by our offices (Search Hall, 2nd Floor), sending us an e-mail (HelpDesk@PhilaU.edu), or by calling us directly (215-951-4648.)  We look forward to assisting you.

HOW

How do I request a password reset, if I have forgotten my old password?

How do I request a Blackboard password reset, if I have forgotten my old password?

How do I manually change my password using Outlook Web Access?

How often does my password expire?

WHAT

What password do I use, when logging into my blackboard account for the first time?

What password do I use, when logging into my e-mail account for the first time?

What do I do if I forget my blackboard password?

What do I do if I forget my e-mail/network password?

What domain should I select when logging into Outlook Web Access for the first time?

What domain should I select when changing my password using Outlook Web Access?

What rules do I follow when selecting my password?

WHERE

Where do I find directions on changing my password using OWA?

WHY

Why do I have to change my password every 90 days?

Why can't I log onto the computers on campus, Blackboard, or Outlook Web Access?

Q.  How do I request a e-mail password reset, if I have forgotten my old password?

A. In order to have your password reset you must e-mail the Technology Help Desk at HelpDesk@Philau.edu, or call us directly at 215-951-4OIT (x4648).  We will need your full name, username, and alternate e-mail address in order to process your request (please keep in mind, that in an effort to maintain your account security, we do not do password resets over the phone.)  Also, please indicate on the work order that you need to have your e-mail password reset.

You will receive an e-mail alert within 1-2 business days, at the given alternate e-mail address, when your request has been completed.

Q.  How do I request a Blackboard password reset, if I have forgotten my old password?

A. In order to have your password reset you must e-mail the Technology Help Desk at HelpDesk@Philau.edu, or call us directly at 215-951-4OIT (x4648).  We will need your full name, username, and alternate e-mail address in order to process your request (please keep in mind, that in an effort to maintain your account security, we do not do password resets over the phone.)  Also, please indicate on the work order that you need to have your Blackboard password reset.

You will receive an e-mail alert within 1-2 business days, at the given alternate e-mail address, when your request has been completed.

Q. How often does my password expire?

A. The Office of Information Technology has reviewed various information security guidelines and practices on our campus. One area that has received considerable analysis is password usage, especially the frequency of University network and email password changes by individual users. OIT requires students to change their University network and email passwords every 60 days, faculty and staff are required to change their passwords every 90 days.

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. What password do I use, when logging into my blackboard account for the first time?

A. When logging into your blackboard account, for the first time, your password will be your six digit date of birth (mmddyy.)  Your Blackboard username is the same as your e-mail/network username.

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. What password do I use, when logging into my e-mail/network account for the first time?

A. Your password and username for e-mail account and accessing the network are the same. When logging into your e-mail/network account, for the first time, your password will be your six digit date of birth (mmddyy.)  If you are a faculty or staff person, your temporary password will be "philau," all lowercase letters without the quotation marks.

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. What domain should I select when logging into Outlook Web Access for the first time?

A. If you are a student, you should be selecting the STUDENT domain.  If you are a faculty or staff person, you should be selecting the PHILACOL domain.

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

What domain should I select when changing my password using Outlook Web Access?

A. If you are a student, you should be selecting the STUDENT domain.  If you are a faculty or staff person, you should be selecting the PHILACOL domain.

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. What rules do I follow when selecting my password?

A. When selecting a new password, please follow the suggested rules below:

1. You can't not use your last two previous passwords
2. You must use 6 or more characters
3. Your password must be a combination of letters and numbers
4. You can't use your name or ssno as your new password

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. Why can't I log onto the computers on campus, Blackboard, or Outlook Web Access?

A. If you are unable to access any Philadelphia University network resources, it may be due to the following:

1. Your caps lock key may be on
2. You are using the incorrect password
3. Your password has expired

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.

Q. Why do I keep getting an error message when I try to change my expired password?

A. You must follow specific parameters when creating a new password, please make sure you new password adheres to the rules below:

1. You can't not use your last two previous passwords
2. You must use 6 or more characters
3. Your password must be a combination of letters and numbers
4. You can't use your name or ssno as your new password

Please feel free to contact the Technology Help Desk at any point, if you need any additional assistance.