Information for Parents

This page addresses questions parents commonly ask when preparing to send a student to the University of Tennessee. Parents will be happy to hear that all residence halls are directly networked to the university infrastructure. The rest of the campus is wireless.

What kind of connections are in the residence halls?

The residence halls are directly connected to the University of Tennessee infrastructure by Ethernet. If the student is bringing a TV, don’t forget to pack a coax cable with them to connect the TV to the cable TV jack!

What do students need to get connected in the dorm?

Your student needs a computer with the capability to be networked and a network card. The type of network card needed will depend on the make and model of machine the student owns. Students also need to have a ResNet connection. (See the Getting Connected to UT section for additional information along with system requirements.) Several centers will be set up on campus to advise students and address their specific needs early in the semester. Questions can also be answered by calling the Help Desk (974-9900) or visiting the Aconda Court Service Center. (See the map on the inside back cover of this book.) Students are given e-mail accounts when they are accepted to the university. Read the Your NetID, Password, and E-mail Account section for more information about maintaining an official UT e-mail account.

What do students need to get connected from home (off-campus)?

Students not living on campus will have access to the Internet. They may use an commercial Internet service provider, or they may want to take advantage of UT’s Enhanced Remote Access (ERA) account. For additional information, along with system requirements, read the Getting Connected to UT section. Several centers are set up on campus to advise students and address their specific needs early in the semester. Questions can also be answered by calling the HelpDesk (974-9900) or by visiting the Aconda Court Service Center. (For the location, see the map on the inside back cover of this book.) Students are given e-mail accounts when they are accepted to the university. Read the Getting Connected to UT section for more information about maintaining an official UT e-mail account.

What kind of computer does my student need? Laptop or Desktop? What about software?

The answers to these questions depend on the student’s needs and major. Start by checking with the specific college or department to find out what kind of computer and software they recommend for their incoming students.

What is my students’ e-mail address?

Each student receives an e-mail account and NetID. That NetID, combined with @utk.edu is the student’s e-mail address. You can always look up students’ e-mail addresses, in the online directory (http://directory.utk.edu). Additional Information can be found about the online directory, by reading the Your E-mail Account section of this book.

Can my student have a home page?

Yes, each student may create a Web page. Information on how to create a home page can be found in the Your Web Page section. Many Web sites listed in The Collegiate Surfing chapter of this book provide useful resources, such as how to make a home page and where to find clip art, icons, and backgrounds. These links can help students personalize their home pages.