杏吧原创

Tech FAQ's

Tech FAQ's

Find quick answers to common questions and concerns about logging in, Blackboard, assignments, technology, and more.

Student ID, Username, and Passwords

You can find your Student ID, username, email address, and temporary password in the portal. 

  • On a desktop: Use the floating menu at the top.
  • On a mobile device: Use the side menu.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Learn more.

  • To submit a FERPA Release Form, log in to the Portal > Student Planning > User Options > Requested Documents.

Login & Course Access

Go to Login > sign in > click the Blackboard link.

  • New course registrations can take up to 24鈥�48 hours to appear.
  • Check with your instructor to confirm they are using Blackboard.

  • Double-check your username and password.
  • Remember: username is not case-sensitive; password is case-sensitive.

  • Go to the Institution Page (left navigation).
  • Select Courses from the left menu or grid view icon.

杏吧原创 Systems Setup

You will need to know your 杏吧原创 student ID and temporary password to complete the following steps.  If you do not have this information, please sign in to the 杏吧原创 Applicant Portal to retrieve it:

Log in to my杏吧原创:

  1. In a web browser, go to bc3.edu.  
  2. Click my杏吧原创 in the upper lefthand corner of the page.
  3. Enter your username in this format:  b + student ID@my.bc3.edu  
    1. (for example:  b1234567@my.bc3.edu)  
  4. Enter your temporary password, then click Next.
    1. Note:  If your password does not work, please contact the Technology Help Desk.
  5. You will receive a message that says More Information Required.  Click Next.  
  6. You will receive a message that says Keep your account secure.  Click Next.
  7. You will receive a message that says Microsoft Authenticator - Set up your account.  Click Next.
  8. You will receive a message that provides you with a QR code.  Leave this screen open and follow the MFA Setup instructions to proceed.  

Note:  You will need to use your smart phone and computer to complete the MFA setup. 

MFA setup:

NOTE: If at any time you must reset your phone, delete the Multifactor Authenticator App, or get a new phone please contact the Technology Help Desk to reset your account.

  1. [On your smartphone] Go to your phone鈥檚 App Store.  Search for the Microsoft Authenticator.  Install the app.
  2. Open the app.  Select the + or Add Account.
  3. Select Work or school account.
  4. Select Scan QR code.
  5. Using your phone, scan the QR code that is on your computer screen.
    1. Note: If you are unable to scan the QR code, open the Settings on your phone and scroll down to the Microsoft Authenticator app.  Open the settings for the app and check to make sure your camera is turned on.
  6. You should now see an account listed as 杏吧原创 on the Microsoft Authenticator app. 
  7. [On your computer] Click Next at the bottom of the QR code page.  
  8. A number code will appear on your screen. 
  9. [On your smartphone] A notification will appear requesting the number code that appeared on your computer screen. Enter the code on your phone.  Select Yes. 
  10. [On your computer] The screen should show Success. Click Done.

Each time you log in to the My杏吧原创 Portal, you will receive a notification on your smart phone that will appear like a text message.  Click on the notification and it will open the MFA app for you to enter the 2-digit code.  You will then proceed to enter the My杏吧原创 Portal. 

Setting your personal password:

  1. After completing the MFA setup, you will receive a message asking you to change your My杏吧原创 password.  You will see 3 text boxes.
    1. Box 1:  Enter your current password.  The current password is the temporary password you used at initial login.
    2. Box 2:  Enter your new personal password.  Parameters for new passwords are: 
      1. Must be 15 characters or more in length. 
      2. Must NOT contain your name. 
      3. Must have at least 1 capital letter. 
      4. Must have at least 1 number. 
      5. Must have at least one symbol.
    3. Box 3:  Enter your new personal password again to confirm. 
  2. Click Sign In.
  3. You should now have access to the my杏吧原创 Portal. 

 This document states how students can wirelessly print from their personal device. Scroll down to the appropriate section for instructions on how to print with your device. If you encounter any problems, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 724-287-8711 ext. 8441.

NOTE:  WIFI printing will ONLY work from the 杏吧原创 Student & Staff WIFI when on a 杏吧原创 campus. 

Instructions for printing on a Windows device: 

  1. Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Join the 杏吧原创 Wi-Fi network.
    1. Students can log onto the 杏吧原创-Student WI-FI network by using their My杏吧原创 Portal login information.
  3. Open your device鈥檚 web browser and go to:
  4. Download the Mobility Print installer by clicking on the Click this link to 鈥�
  5. While navigating the installer, select a printer and sign in with your My杏吧原创 ID and password.
    1. IMPORTANT: do not enter the @bc3.edu or @my.bc3.edu during the setup step.
  6. Then proceed to print your document how you normally would.

Instructions for printing on a Mac device: 

  1. Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Join the 杏吧原创 Wi-Fi network.
    1. Students can log onto the student Wi-Fi network by using their My杏吧原创 Portal login information.
  3. Navigate to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners.
  4. Click the 鈥�+鈥� (add) icon under the Printers List.
  5. The Add Printer dialog is displayed. It displays a list of discovered printers on the network.
  6. Select the printer that you would like to use.
  7. At the bottom of the dialog box, check that Use is set to Secure AirPrint.
    1. If Secure AirPrint isn't displayed:
      1. Close the Add dialog.
      2. Disconnect from the network, then reconnect to it again.
      3. Check if you can see Secure AirPrint now. If you can't, contact the Technology Help Desk.
  8. Click Add.
  9. Print your document.
  10. Then sign in with your My杏吧原创 ID and password.
    1. IMPORTANT: do not enter the @bc3.edu or @my.bc3.edu during the setup step.

Instructions for printing on an iPhone or iPad: 

  1. Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Join the 杏吧原创 Wi-Fi network.
    1. Students can log onto the student Wi-Fi network by using their My杏吧原创 Portal login information.
  3. Tap the share icon on the document you wish to print.
  4. Select the print icon.
  5. Select the printer, then choose the printer you would like to use.
  6. Then sign in with your My杏吧原创 ID and password.
    1. IMPORTANT: do not enter the @bc3.edu or @my.bc3.edu during the setup step.
  7. Select your printing options.
  8. Tap print.

Instructions for printing on an Android device: 

  1. Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Join the 杏吧原创 Wi-Fi network.
    1. Students can log onto the student Wi-Fi network by using their My杏吧原创 Portal login information.
  3. Install the Mobility Print app from the Google Play app store.
  4. Open the Mobility Print app.
  5. Tap android settings.
  6. Tap and enable toggle.
  7. Close settings.
  8. Open the item you would like to print.
  9. Open the app menu and tap share.
  10. Select the print icon.
  11. Choose a printer.
  12. Select your printing options.
  13. Select the print icon.
  14. Then sign in with your My杏吧原创 ID and password.
    1. IMPORTANT: do not enter the @bc3.edu or @my.bc3.edu during the setup step.

Instructions for printing on a Chromebook: 

  1. Join the 杏吧原创 Wi-Fi network.
    1. Students can log onto the student Wi-Fi network by using their My杏吧原创 Portal login information.
  2. Install the Mobility Print Chrome app from the Google Play app store.
    1. (Setup instruction video -
  3. If you want to print from Android applications such as Microsoft Word:
    1. Enable Google Play app store as a user or as an Administrator.
    2. Install the Mobility Print Android app from the Google Play app store.
    3. Click Open.
    4. Click Android settings.
    5. Click Mobility Print.
    6. Click the enable toggle.
  4. Open the page you would like to print.
  5. Select a mobility as your printer.
  6. Print the content. For example, to print from Microsoft Word: press Ctrl+P, select a printer, then click Print.
  7. Then sign in with your My杏吧原创 ID and password. IMPORTANT: do not enter the @bc3.edu or @my.bc3.edu during the setup step.

If that doesn't work, try:

  1. Go to Mobility Print for Chromebook
  2. Click  
  3. Click the 鈥淎dd to Chrome鈥� button
  4. Open the print menu on the document and select a printer with the Mobility Print Icon (green block with a white P)
  5. Then enter b+student ID (I.e. b1234567) and the portal password.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) FAQs

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of security in addition to passwords. This additional step ensures that your information, transactions, or online work is safer from unauthorized access by requiring a second method of authentication through the Microsoft Authenticator app or a physical hardware security key to verify your identity. Even if someone obtains your password, they cannot access your account without having your registered MFA device. 

Starting in September of 2022 all staff, faculty, and students will be required to use MFA. 

The Microsoft Authenticator App does have the ability to check the device location.  Location data is used to determine the device location at the time of authentication.  For example:  If there is a login attempt with a successful MFA verification but the MFA device location originated from North Korea we would block that until we could verify the authenticity of that login attempt. 

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MS MFA), also known as MS MFA or "Two-Step Verification" uses mobile technology to send an authentication request to your registered device. When you log in, a notification will be sent immediately to your smartphone or another registered device. You simply tap Approve on the screen if using the authenticator app or use a numerical code sent to your device, which verifies that you are the person logging in. 

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MS MFA) provides extra protection for the sensitive information our systems contain in case you are a victim of phishing or hacking. If someone steals your credentials and tries to access your account, your username and password will not be sufficient to log in. The thief will also need to have access to your device to complete the login process. If someone else tries to log in to your account, you will be notified on your device and you can deny them access instantaneously.  

  • iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)
  • Android devices (phone, tablet)

Multifactor Authentication will be required when you log into most web-based applications such as the My杏吧原创 portal, Blackboard, Email, Colleague, Self Service, and Citrix just to name a few.  At this time MFA is not required to log into the Windows operating system and local apps on a physical desktop but you will need it to access the web-based applications both on and off campus. 

Each time you access one of the above services either in a new browser session or on a different device, you鈥檒l be required to sign in and use Multi-Factor Authentication. After that session is established you will not be required to reauthenticate with MFA for 10 hours. For this reason, it is NOT recommended that you use any shared device.  If you do use a shared device do not save your login credentials and be sure you log out of all sessions, clear your browser history, and restart the device when you are done using it. 

Having a second-factor verification sent to a designated email address is not considered to be a safe method, as it can more easily be intercepted by a cyber-criminal.  Email account takeovers are a common form of cybercrime.  A personal mobile device or security device is in your physical possession and therefore less likely to be intercepted by a cybercriminal.  As a point of reference, many major online account service providers like Google and Apple no longer allow email as a second factor for many of their services. 

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MS MFA) lets you register multiple devices to your account, so you can always access your account even if one device is temporarily unavailable. We recommend no more than necessary with a max of three devices just so you don鈥檛 lose track of a device with authentication privileges on it.

Although the use of the Microsoft Authenticator app on a mobile device is recommended, you can opt to use a physical hardware security key.  To do so please contact the helpdesk at 724-287-8711 ext 8441 for assistance getting one.

Physical hardware security keys must be requested.  Please contact the helpdesk at 724-287-8711 ext 8441 for assistance getting one. Physical hardware security keys generate a one-time passcode, which can be used to enter on-screen when prompted as your secondary authentication method. 

If you do not have internet access and cannot receive a 鈥淧ush鈥� notification through the Microsoft Authenticator app you can use a one-time passcode. You can generate a passcode in the Microsoft Authenticator app even without internet access and enter the six-digit code. 

The most common reason why your account is locked is that you have entered an incorrect password or the MFA has failed at least 5 times. In this case please contact the helpdesk at 724287-8711 ext 8441. 

Contact the helpdesk at 724-287-8711 ext 8441. 

If you get a push notification from the Microsoft Authenticator app that you did not request, that means someone else is trying to log in using your account and your account may have been compromised. Tap the Deny button in your Microsoft Authenticator app or take no action if a code is pushed to your device and contact the helpdesk immediately at 724-287-8711 ext 8441. 

Microsoft Authenticator authentication requests require a minimal amount of data -- less than 2KB per authentication. For example, you would only consume 1 megabyte (MB) of data if you were to authenticate 500 times in a given month. If your device is connected to Wi-Fi, no mobile data will be used. If you use the code generated by the Microsoft Authenticator App, no data will be used and you can limit application updates to Wi-Fi only in the settings on most phones. 

In most cases, iPhone and Android phones automatically transfer your applications over to a new device when you switch to a new phone.  In this case, the Microsoft Authenticator app should transfer as well.  In some cases, you may need to reauthenticate on the new device.  If you are having trouble after moving to a new device contact the helpdesk at 724-287-8711 ext 8441. 

Contact the helpdesk at 724-287-8711 ext 8441.

No. The Microsoft Authenticator app has no access to change settings or remotely wipe your phone. The visibility Microsoft Authenticator requires is to verify the security of your device, such as operating system version, device encryption status, screen lock, etc. Microsoft uses this to help recommend security improvements to your device. You always are in control of whether or not you act on these recommendations. 

Computer & Technnology Purchases

If you鈥檙e buying a new computer, choose based on your needs (everyday use vs. gaming/design/video editing). Look for:

  • Processor: 2.5鈥�4.0 GHz (dual- or quad-core preferred)
  • RAM: At least 8GB (more for multimedia use)
  • Storage: 256GB+ SSD or 500GB+ HDD
  • Consider energy-efficient and eco-friendly models.

 

Other Student Services

  • Office 365 Access: Students keep Office 365 for 14 months after their last class.
  • Unofficial Transcripts: Available in my杏吧原创.
    • Academic Profile > View Unofficial Transcripts
  • 1098-T Form: Available in my杏吧原创 > Tax Information