Technology Guide for New Students
University Information Technology Services (UITS) is here for you, Owls! This guide will help you begin to find your wings at KSU.
Get technical assistance
Contact the KSU Service Desk for Assistance at 470-578-3555 or studenthelpdesk@kennesaw.edu. You can also visit our website: https://service.kennesaw.edu/technology.
Service Desk walk-up counters:
Kennesaw: Pilcher Building, Rm 106
Marietta: Academic Building, Lower Level
Manage your NetID
Find your KSU ID
Your KSU ID (e.g., 000192837) is a nine-digit number that is created when you apply to KSU. Your KSU ID is printed on your acceptance letter, and you can also look it up online: KSU Lookup.
You will use your KSU ID to access in-person services such as walk-up services at various campus departments. You will also use it to set the initial password for your NetID.
Click here for an instructional video on locating your KSU ID and NetID, and activating your NetID.
Activate your NetID
Your NetID (e.g., jbrow42) is your unique identifier for electronic accounts at KSU. You will use your NetID to access course registration via Owl Express, student email, D2L Brightspace, and campus computing resources. You must activate your NetID. The ability to set up your password and NetID is available 24–48 hours after you have been fully admitted to the university.
Test your NetID and password
Go to the NetID Customer Portal. Log in with your NetID and password. If you are successful, you will be logged in to the NetID Services page.
If you need assistance, go to the NetID Password help page or contact Student Technology Services at 470-578-3555, by e-mail at studenthelpdesk@kennesaw.edu, or in person at one of our walk-up counters: Pilcher Building, room 106 (Kennesaw) and Academic Building, Lower Level (Marietta).
Activate your DUO two-factor authentication account & register your mobile device
Duo provides an extra layer of security for your NetID, ensuring that no one but you can access your account, even if your password becomes compromised. You will be prompted to authenticate through Duo each time you log in to Duo-compatible services such as KSUmail, Office 365, Owl Express, and D2L Brightspace.
Go to the DUO help page to get started.
Check your KSU student e-mail account
Access your email account right away to make sure you are on track. Remember that Kennesaw State will send all official emails, including those from the Office of the Registrar and Financial Aid, to your KSU Student e-mail address. You can sign-in to your student email account using your NetID and password.
Start using Owl Express
This online system is used to register for courses. It also provides you with an easy and secure method of accessing your student records and financial aid information. Click here to access Owl Express.
Connect your laptop or iPad to the KSU WiFi Network
Start using D2L Brightspace
Most KSU courses use an online learning management system called D2L Brightspace. There is a compatibility checker to make sure that your computer will run D2L Brightspace optimally. Running this browser checker is a great way to get prepared for your upcoming online courses. Click here to log in to D2L Brightspace. You can search the Knowledge Base for quick tips on using D2L Brightspace.
Please note that you are unable to view all of your D2L Brightspace courses until a few days before the start of the term, or up to 48 hours after they have been added during Drop/Add or Late Registration.
Additionally, course materials are not available until released by your instructor, which may mean you cannot see them until the first day your class meets.
Download software
Most KSU-supported software, including Office 365, is available at desktopsoftware.kennesaw.edu.
To install the Microsoft suite on your device, follow these directions.
Learn new skills in OwlTrain
As a Kennesaw State University student, you have access to many online trainings (self-paced courses and e-books) offered by UITS as well as online tutorials for popular software in OwlTrain at no charge.
Click here for instructions on using OwlTrain.
