New myPSU Web site seeks to consolidate online services, connect student groups

ODIN accounts, webmail accounts, banweb accounts—it’s hard to keep them straight. Now this issue has been cleaned up with upcoming efforts to also include Blackboard learning system. A new service is available to all PSU students, myPSU.

“It is a Web site that combines Webmail and Banweb so users do not have to remember both sets of user information,” said OIT help desk representative Areej El-Naser.

With this new system, signing in once will enable the user to access all the resources available from Portland State with as few clicks as possible. The library tab includes Vikat catalogue and a librarian chat feature. Along with the catalogue it includes a citation tool for bibliographies.

The features of the new Web site include e-mail, calendar, address book, a new way to register for classes, find clubs/groups and join mailing lists. It also features tabs that allow you to access employee and student information.

The two-and-a-half-year project of creating myPSU, which launched this term, has had minimal success to date because students have grown accustomed to the segregated systems that PSU uses.

“I use most of the online resources through PSU, but do not use myPSU,” said Michelle Keller, a senior majoring in biology.

Most students do not know of the new portal networking opportunities granted to them. The new system will streamline university tools in a way that has not been available before.

“I kind of know about it [myPSU], but I don’t know how to login,” said Denise De Leone, a senior.

Director of User Support Services Jahed Sukhun said myPSU will soon include channels for certain majors, such as an English major channel or history major channel.

The new system works much like Blackboard, less the assignment details and the heavy usage from classroom teachers. Moving, minimizing, and the ability to customize channels was intended to make a much more user friendly interface that was less overwhelming for students.

Channels in the campus tab of myPSU include public safety, health and wellness, technical resources, getting around (maps), academic assistance and human services.

These help new students get to know the resources available to them. Students now have the power in their fingertips to network, find resources and be more involved in student life.

To gain access to this new tool log onto http://my.pdx.edu and click on the “How do I get a user name and password” link.