If you are not using one of the on-campus computers, here are some tips for how to access the resources available to you off-campus from home or from a personal device on-campus.
Recommended technology requirements
Review the minimum computer and internet-connectivity standards that will work for most online coursework and classes.
Students with disabilities: Register with Access and Equity Services to learn about assistive technology that may be available to you.
Shop USask offers a variety of laptops, calculators, printers, ink, accessories and more. If you're not sure what technology you need or what products to choose, ask the Shop USask Tech Concierge.
Borrow a Laptop
- Request a loaner laptop at the IT Support Desk on the first floor of the Murray library.
- You'll need your NSID, photo ID, and a phone number.
- Some restrictions apply.
Cyber security
Learn how to protect your data and systems against security breaches.
Security recommendations
- Protect yourself from Phishing attempts.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication in your MyProfile page in PAWS.
- Review USask's Information Technology Use and Security Policies.
- Set a unique and strong password on your USask account.
- Use a password manager for all of your accounts.
- Back up your school work and files on OneDrive.
Internet access
Types of internet connections
Not all home internet connections are the same. Learn what to consider when selecting an internet service provider (ISP), an internet connection speed (upload, download) and how to test your connection.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
You may need to use our VPN to access restricted campus resources from off-campus. Our VPN provides the same level of access from home that you would have if you were using a computer on campus.
Saskatoon campus WiFi
If you are coming to the Saskatoon campus for in-person instruction, you can connect to our on-campus secure wireless network: uofs-secure.
Email, printing, and scanning
Email is the university's official means of communication. Please check your university email regularly for class updates and announcements. All USask students have an email quota of 100GB. You can access your email in multiple ways:
- Access your email via PAWS.
- Access your email via an email client.
- Access your email via office.com (login with NSID@usask.ca and password).
If you are not able to access a campus scanner, your phone can be used to scan documents using the OneDrive mobile app. This is a great feature while on the go!
If you are on campus, many student printers are also equipped with scanning functionality. You can search student printers by location or by feature (copy, scan, colour printing, etc.).
PAWS and Canvas
PAWS
PAWS, your personalized access to web services at USask, is a personalized web environment used by students, faculty, staff and alumni. PAWS is where you'll access class registration, tuition and fees, scholarships and bursaries, textbooks and more.
PAWS quick tips
- Use PAWS to update your profile with the university, including your preferred name, email aliases and contact information.
- Your PAWS menu already includes content channels that are available to you based on your role at the university. Learn how to add additional channels you may be interested in.
- Choose which announcements you wish to see in your feed.
- View, print or email your class schedule for courses and labs that have set times.
Canvas
You may be taking courses through Canvas, the learning management system at USask. Classes in Canvas should be available about a month before the start of class but instructors may limit access while they prepare. Course materials will remain in Canvas for up to four years after the class ends.
Instructors may record videos using Panopto for some of your classes. You can access Panopto videos from your Canvas course, or you can use your NSID to log into Panopto.
Canvas information
- Access Canvas
- Download the Canvas Student app for iOS or Android
- Take the self-guided training course, Canvas for USask Students
- Canvas Student FAQs
- Learn more about Canvas
- See USask Canvas tips for students
Computer Labs
Computer labs are available across campus for student use.
Library resources
Access University Library electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books) from home.
Software and applications
As a USask student, you have access to a variety of software that you can install on your personal computer for free or at a reduced cost. Some of the software is also available for use through our Virtual Computer Lab (VLab).
Unless otherwise noted, we can not help install this software on your personal computer.
Software with free student licenses
| Software | Description | Information /install |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autodesk (multiple programs) | Many computer-aided-design and modelling packages including AutoCAD, Maya, etc. | Info/install | Free or paid versions available |
| ESRI ArcGIS/ArcMAP | Software for spatial data analysis | Info/install | Requires VirtualBox or VMware |
| jmp | Predictive analytics | Info/install | Available at reduced cost |
| Microsoft Office365 | Microsoft productivity tools - MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint | Info/install | Free or paid versions available |
| QSR NVivo | Data management/analysis tool | Info/install | Must fill in form to request a license |
| R/RStudio | Statistical computing language | Info/install | Free or paid versions available |
| SAS Desktop 9.4 | Statistical analysis package | Info/install | Desktop application for installation on student's own computer. |
| SAS University Edition | Statistical analysis package | Info/install | Requires VirtualBox or VMware |
| SketchUp | 3d Modelling/Design | Info/install | Requires signup on website |
| IBM SPSS | Statistical analysis package | Info/install | 14 day free trial available |
| MathCAD Express | Mathematical worksheet | Info/install | 30 day trial for MathCAD full features |
Software with reduced-cost student licenses
This software is available to current students for a reduced cost compared to regular pricing.
| Software | Description | Information /purchase |
Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Cloud Suite | Graphics and video design tools | Info/purchase | $29.03/month |
| Endnote | Bibliographic management tool | Info/purchase | $99.00 |
| MiniTab | Statistical analysis package | Info/purchase | $43.55 for 6 months |
* Costs may change - costs are current as of March 19, 2020.
- USafe features emergency contacts, safety tips, personal safety tools, maps, virtual safewalks and more for the Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina campuses (Apple and Android)
- Saskatoon Transit provides information about university bus routes, schedules and fares (Apple and Android). Use the Touch and go app as your U-Pass (Apple and Android) and see the USSU and GSA U-Pass info pages on how to activate.
- PaybyPhone for easy-to-pay parking at campus meters to help prevent parking tickets with reminders of when your time is about to expire. You can also extend your parking time. (Apple and Android)
- Studentcare mobile to access your student health and dental plan (Apple and Android)
- Huskie Athletics for game schedules and information (Apple and Android) and the HuskieFAN app for live streams, podcasts and more (Apple and Android)
- USask Rec for all things fitness and recreation. Get the latest schedules for aquatics, open rec, group fitness, intramurals, sign-up for the Fit Centre and more (Apple and Android)
- Canvas student to keep you connected to your Canvas classes. (Apple and Android)
Applications available through VLab
| ArcGIS | Geographical information systems (Mapping) |
| Mathematica | Symbolic and numeric math package |
| MATLAB | Numerical mathematics package |
| Origin | Professional-quality graphic package for analysing and plotting research data in a multitude of formats |
| NVIVO | Qualitative statistical package |
| R | The R Project for Statistical Computing, including RStudio |
| SPSS | Statistical package for the social sciences |
| Stata | Statistics package |
The Microsoft Advantage program allows USask students to install and use the latest desktop versions of Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac on up to five devices such as computers or laptops (in addition to five tablets and five mobile devices) for the duration of their time as a student.
Storage
Microsoft OneDrive
USask students have access to 1TB of free personal cloud storage through OneDrive for Students offered as part of your Microsoft 365 account. Microsoft OneDrive keeps your files backed up, protected, synced, and accessible on all your devices. You can share files with one or more people either via email or through a link. You can also determine if you want other people to be able to edit your OneDrive files or just view them.
Cabinet
Cabinet was the personal file storage system used at the university prior to the implementation of OneDrive. Each student can still access their Cabinet account, however we strongly encourage using OneDrive instead, as it gives you access to a larger storage quota and makes sharing files and folders much easier.
Ask for help
Get help with tech issues by submitting a ticket through the IT support portal.