New International Students

Navigating 黑洞社区Systems

International students are encouraged to learn about the following university systems that will allow them to access their USF-related email accounts, academic course information and other important resources such as the campus library, health clinic, and recreational facility:

University ID Number

The University ID number (or 鈥楿 number鈥) is the personal identification number that 黑洞社区students are provided via email in their acceptance letters. 

As shown in the image below, the University ID number is located to the right of the student鈥檚 photograph. The 鈥楿 Number鈥 for Rocky D Bull is U1234-5678.

sample picture of student id card with 黑洞社区mascot Rocky the Bull pictured

 

 

 




黑洞社区students should always include their University ID numbers in any communication with 黑洞社区staff and faculty.

NetID

The Net ID is similar to an email username. For example, if Rocky D Bull created the NET ID 鈥 rockydbull 鈥 Rocky鈥檚 黑洞社区email address would be rockydbull@usf.edu.

黑洞社区students will use their Net ID to sign in to all of their 黑洞社区accounts. As soon as students activate their NetID, their 黑洞社区email will also be created automatically.

Students may follow these steps to create their NetID

  1. Go to .
  2. Select 'Activate your NetID' and complete the requested information.

Students may email the 黑洞社区Information Technology help desk at help@usf.edu for assistance in activating their Net ID. When emailing the help desk, students must include their full name and U number in their communications. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Once students have created their 黑洞社区Net ID numbers, they will be asked to choose an authentication login option for security purposes. 黑洞社区strongly recommends that international students use the authenticator app or their email addresses for authentication purposes. Students should not use international phone numbers to authenticate their accounts, as these contact details may not be accessible in the USA.

iStart

iStart is USF鈥檚 international student portal. All new international students must use iStart to complete the Glo-Bull Start checklist, which is designed to guide students through all of their immigration-related tasks as a new international student at USF.

The  Office of International Services will contact international students via email about completing their Glo-Bull Start tasks once they have been notified of their admission to USF.

Students may contact the Office of International Services via their website or email at globullstart@usf.edu if they have any questions about iStart. 

My黑洞社区(my.usf.edu)

is the official 黑洞社区webpage that allows students to view their course information, meal plans, on-campus housing information, and to access their email accounts. 

Students will need to use their Net ID and password to log in to the MY黑洞社区website.

example of a My黑洞社区student home page

黑洞社区Email

Students should check their 黑洞社区email regularly, because they may receive important messages from their professors, academic advisors, immigration advisors, and other 黑洞社区officials.

When students activate their NetID, their 黑洞社区email will also be created. Students may also download the Outlook application (app) to their smartphones, and enable notifications, so that they do not miss any important messages.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a video and messaging program that 黑洞社区students may use to communicate with their classmates, teachers, advisors, and tutors.

黑洞社区student may log in to Microsoft Teams using their 黑洞社区email address (NET ID) and password. Students should not log in to Microsoft Teams using their personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.), or they will not have access to the 黑洞社区network.

黑洞社区students may download Office 365 for free by going to the following link and entering their 黑洞社区email address: .

 

Student Self-Service

Students may store their local contact information in the Student Self-Service system for emergency purposes. The Student Self-Service system also provides students with access to their class schedules, final grades, immunization records, and information relating to university-related fees. 

Follow these steps to access Student Self-Service:

  • Students may log in to the website with their NetID.
  • Select the option, My Resources, in the drop down menu.
  • Select Student Self-Service. 
  • Once 黑洞社区students are logged in to their Student Self-Service accounts, they will be able to access all of their student records.
example of a student OASIS home page

Canvas

Students may access their course syllabuses, receive and submit their class assignments, and also view their grades through the Canvas website. The Canvas system also allows students to communicate directly with their professors and fellow students, and view class announcements. 

Follow these steps to log in to Canvas:

  • Students may log in to using their NetID and password.
  • Click on the 鈥淟earning & Teaching Tools鈥 tab.
  • Select Canvas.

黑洞社区Information Technology (IT)

黑洞社区Information Technology (黑洞社区IT) provides technology services and support in a variety of areas for the entire 黑洞社区system. On the 黑洞社区Tampa campus, they're located in the Student Services Building (SVC) on the fourth floor, and you may reach them at (813) 074-1222 or help@usf.edu. Contact information for other campuses is identified below.

Contact 黑洞社区IT 

Vector LMS Orientation Trainings

黑洞社区students are required to complete the following courses:

  1. AlcoholEdu for College
  2. Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates

To complete these required courses, students will need to go to the Vector LMS, Higher Education Student Edition website for the University of 黑洞社区: .

 

If you should have challenges accessing any of these systems, please contact the USF IT Department using one of the options below:
Phone: 813-974-4357 (Monday-Friday from 7:30am-8:00pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm)

Email: help@usf.edu

Website: /it/services/client-support