To:   Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs

From:   Karen Kavanagh
             Executive Vice President for Administrative Affairs

Date:  July 15, 2003

Re:  NetID System and Policy

A new NetID system is being launched to make computing at Rutgers more user-friendly and more secure by eliminating the use of social security numbers for authenticating student, faculty and staff computing-related systems. NetID is part of a new computing policy on maintaining personal email addresses and computer accounts at the university. When fully implemented, employees will enjoy faster electronic communication of official notices from the administrative and academic units, as well as improved access to a wide array of web-based services.

The NetID policy, which took effect July 1, 2003, requires all students, faculty and staff to have a NetID, or username, on a Rutgers University Computing Services (RUCS)-maintained computer system, and to maintain a current email address in the Rutgers Online Directory. In approximately two weeks, these individuals will receive an email explaining the new policy and procedures.

Students
Academic and staff deans are asked to ensure student compliance by September 30. Students may obtain a NetID and register for an email account at the web site http://rucs.rutgers.edu/accounts. Personal email account information may be updated in the Rutgers Online Directory by visiting https://www.acs.rutgers.edu/studentdir.

Faculty and Staff
Vice presidents, deans, directors and department heads are asked to ensure faculty and staff compliance by October 30. Furthermore, as part of the hiring process, this policy requires departments to assist new employees in creating NetIDs and to ensure their email address information is included in the Rutgers Online Directory.

Employees with personal computers, who do not have a NetID or an email account, may create one at http://rucs.rutgers.edu/accounts. Employees must also update their email account information at the Rutgers Online Directory at http://www.acs.rutgers.edu/facaddupdt. To accommodate employees who have limited or no daily access to a computer, departments may dedicate a computer area (kiosk) where employees can establish a NetID and an email account and check their email on a regular basis. Departments also may opt to allow employees to visit the nearest campus computing lab.

We realize these options may not address every departmental situation. In some instances, supervisors may need to provide other means for sharing official notices with employees such as posting official email notices on a centrally located bulletin board or distributing printed copies to employees at the start of the workday or at staff meetings.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that each employee receives official notices in a timely manner, whether by email or in writing.

Registering for a NetID or email account is easy and help is available through RUCS at http://www.rucs.rutgers.edu or by contacting the RUCS Help Desk at your campus.

Camden: 856/225-6274 or help@camden.rutgers.edu
Newark: 973/353-5083 or help@newark.rutgers.edu
New Brunswick: 732/445-HELP (4357) or help@nbcs.rutgers.edu

You may access the new policy at http://rucs.rutgers.edu/netid-policy.html and may direct any policy-related questions to rucsfeedback@rucs.rutgers.edu.

NetID is an exciting new way in which the administrative processes are changing to provide more efficient services to the university community. Please contact us with any comments about this communication or other administrative matters at pierce@oldqueens.rutgers.edu or 732/932-5661.   Thank you for your cooperation in moving Rutgers forward with improved computing services.