• Work with your supervisor to ensure you are approved to work remotely. If you do not have requisite equipment or connectivity, you must let your supervisor know.
• Your supervisor must submit approval to Technology Services.
• Register for Self-Service Password Reset (allows you to reset password off campus)

• Staff do not need to request a laptop, as Technology Services maintains an inventory of those staff who may need one to work remotely. Laptops will be provided at the time an employee must work from home.
• Supervisors must notify Technology Services of the requirement for a laptop.

You can transfer your work phone directly to your home phone. Otherwise, you should change your voicemail to indicate that you are working remotely and that callers should email or leave voicemail.

User guide for analog phones

User guide for digital phones

• Plan communication strategies with co-workers and test them
• Familiarize yourself with collaboration tools (NSU logon required): Zoom Web Conferencing, Microsoft O365

If you need access to the systems below, request access to VPN and learn how to use it.

• Systems requiring VPN: Network drives (F: and H: drives), ImageNow, Banner Finance, Banner Admin, Cognos
• You will not need VPN if you use these systems: D2L, Banner Self-Service, SNAP (timecards, sdezbuy), myNSU, Email, Panopto, Zoom
• NSU Virtual Private Network (VPN) Instructions

• Find an area where you will have minimal distractions
• Set a schedule. Get up at a regular time; take lunch at a regular time; wrap up when the work day is complete and your tasks are finished.
• Don't sit in one position for more than 30 minutes. At the very least, stand up and stretch or walk around the room. Eyestrain is a thing.
• Let your counterparts and colleagues know when you are "leaving" for lunch and when you are back.
• Stay plugged in to your group. It is easy to get immersed in a project and forget to check in or respond.
• Never underestimate the value of talking on the phone to someone. It may be old fashioned, but one 10-minute phone call can easily replace 30 minutes of text chat.

Teleconference Dos and Don'ts

• Mute your microphone unless you are actively talking
• "Mute" or disable video if not absolutely needed (bandwidth reduction)
• Assume you are always on camera and that you are always audible (even if you think you're muted or video-disabled)
• Avoid side conversations if you are physically next to someone. Cross-talk is especially annoying and distracting to remote participants.
• Be careful not to talk over others. Politely wait your turn, and if you are talking for more than a minute at a stretch, pause to let others ask questions.
• Avoid tapping pencils, moving papers around, rattling ice, setting coffee cups down on table-tops, tapping on keyboards, and other seemingly innocuous sounds. They are unbelievably loud and annoying to others on the call.
• If conducting a video teleconference, warn your family members not to wander through; some home attire may not be safe for work.
• Make notes on what you want to say before the conference starts. Take notes on action items during the conference whenever you are asked to work on something. Don't ramble; be succinct. If it is a question that can be addressed offline, then do that.