BroncMail at my.UTPA.edu

 Your BroncMail storage will soon go from 10GB to 25GB and the Microsoft login page and Office drop-down menu will have a new look!

If you haven’t been to Bronc Software lately, check it out. Microsoft DreamSpark programs and development tools have just been added. When you first log in to Bronc Software, there’s now a new tab:

Clicking on the DreamSpark link takes you to a page full of professional developer tools and utilities. All students, faculty, and staff are able to download Windows Server 2012, Virtual PC, Expression Studio, Microsoft Mathematics 4.0, Visual Studio and more. The cost? Free!

Every Fall, UTPA Information Technology surveys all students to learn more about how you use computers and technology.

Follow this link to take the survey.

Your responses give us a picture of what’s important now, and what improvements we ought to plan for in the future.

The survey is anonymous and it won’t take long to answer the questions.

Thank you!

About a year ago, I met with STC’s Vice President for Information Services and Planning Jose Cruz and we discussed how the two schools could work together on various technology-related issues. One of the first issues discussed was how to use technology to make it easier for UTPA and STC students to transfer between the two campuses. From this discussion came the idea that turned into the UTPA-STC Eduroam project, which makes it possible for STC and UTPA students, faculty and staff to have wireless network access when they’re on each others’ campuses.

Today, the original members of the joint working group along with the Eduroam team met at STC’s Cooper Center to celebrate this success and to start the planning for what can be done in the next year that will build on these partnerships we have created. Areas discussed included regional high-speed networking, joint planning for severe weather, and improving the transfer process between the two schools.

This group is one of the ways UTPA is working to be The Engaged University. By combining strengths with regional partners like South Texas College, significant advancements that benefit all college and university students in our communities can be accomplished. I have high expectations for the Joint Working Group and look forward to sharing news of their next success.

2,511 copies of Microsoft Windows and Office have been downloaded by 2,142 UTPA students, faculty, and staff since Bronc Software went live on August 1. We’re excited that so many people have already taken advantage of Bronc Software. Have you gotten yours yet?

This Fall, UTPA joins a growing number of US universities offering eduroam wireless access. Eduroam is secure, high-speed wireless access that works the way you expect it to in every UTPA building on campus, the outdoor spaces, and even the parking lots.

However, with eduroam there’s a big difference once you find yourself on another eduroam campus. Now, you can get on the Internet through their eduroam wireless connection. No more having to find someone to let you have a guest account. Just turn on your mobile device, connect to eduroam, and you’re on.

The nearest eduroam campus is South Texas College (STC) in McAllen. STC and UTPA worked closely to to bring eduroam to both institutions. We believe it will be a great convenience for everyone who spends time on both campuses.

Traveling on study abroad programs? Check the eduroam US map or eduroam international map before you leave. If you find yourself near an eduroam campus, you can use their wireless connection to get on the net, without piling up roaming data charges.

On the UTPA campus, you can get started with eduroam by connecting to the UTPA-SETUP wireless network and following the on-screen instructions, or by connecting manually to the eduroam wireless network.

Once you’re on, you’re on–here or any eduroam campus in the world.

The Division of Information Technology is announcing a terrific new service for UTPA students: Bronc Software, an online downloads center that lets UTPA students get copies of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office at no additional cost.

Log on to http://my.utpa.edu and click on the Bronc Software icon. You’ll be taken to the Microsoft Software Downloads Center.

You can download each product once and the download will remain available for 30 days. If you want to extend that period to two years, you can do so for a modest fee.

When Windows 8 becomes available this Fall, Bronc Software will have that online, too. Likewise, when Office 2013 is released next year, you will be able to download it from your Bronc Software page.

For more information on the Microsoft Campus Agreement and eligibility requirements, see our licensing information page.

We hope you enjoy Bronc Software and that you have a great year. Go Broncs!