IT Help Desk | Western Technical College

Current Students

IT Help Desk

Western recently transitioned to a new Student Information System called Colleague. This change required some important system preparations that impact your login for MyWestern, Self Service, Blackboard, and Financial Aid systems.

Your login information to access these systems will change:

  • Your Student ID number will change to include the letter “W” before the number:
    • If you currently have a 9-digit ID number beginning with two zeros “001234567” it will become “w1234567”
    • If you currently have a 7-digit ID number “1234567” it will become “w1234567”
  • To log into the systems listed above and to log in to any on-campus computers, you will use your new Student ID number.
  • Your password will remain the same, as will your student email address. (Note that some links to Blackboard may ask for your email address rather than your ID number to log in.)  

You do not need to get a new Student ID card unless you receive a separate communication.

If you have any issues logging in, please contact the IT Help Desk at PCService@westerntc.edu or 608-789-6266.

Western’s IT Help Desk assists with student and staff login issues (MyWestern, email, Blackboard, network) and maintains Western’s computers, networking equipment, and phones.

Our help desk walk-up hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. We are located in the lower level of the Business Education Center.

You may call the help desk (608-789-6266) or email the help desk (pcservice@westerntc.edu) for assistance at any time. Please include your full name and student ID number if you leave a voice mail message or send an email.

Western staff - Visit the CavNet for additional IT resources.

FAQs - Western's Knowledge Base

Western’s Information Technology Services has a Knowledge Base website to provide answers to common computer-related questions and issues. Please go to https://kb.westerntc.edu to check out the help documents that are available.

Password Reset

For Students:
If you do not know your password, please use this link to learn about the process for resetting your password. 

For Faculty/Staff:
If you do not know your password, please use this link to begin the process of resetting your password. Reference this Knowledge Base document for instructions on resetting your password (https://kb.westerntc.edu/130300).

Login Credentials

Your MyWestern, Western student email, Blackboard, and network user accounts are synchronized so they use the same password.

Here is what you should use for your username for each of these accounts:

  • MyWestern – Use your student ID number.
  • Western student email – Use your student email address.
  • Blackboard – Use your student ID number.
  • Network user – User your student ID number.

If you do not know your student ID number, please contact the Welcome Center (608-785-9553) or PC Service (608-789-6266) for assistance.

Email and Office 365

Microsoft Office 365

As a student, you may download Microsoft Office 365 for free. Please refer to the document in the Knowledge Base (https://kb.westerntc.edu/90126) for more information on how to download this software.

Forwarding Your Student Email

View a video showing how to forward your student email to your personal email address.

Wireless Networks

Students may connect personal devices to the Western-Student wireless network. When you connect to this network, you will be asked to provide credentials. Please use the same login credentials as you use for your MyWestern account.

If you are using a Western-owned laptop or tablet, it should be set to connect to the Technet-Wireless network so you can access network resources, such as printers and network file storage.

If you are a currently registered student, Western is providing access to free wireless access points in several parking lots. See Wi-Fi Locations for details.

Computer Labs

There are computers available on the La Crosse campus for students to work on their assignments. Also, regional locations in Black River Falls, Independence, Mauston, Tomah, and Viroqua will be open for a limited number of current students to use computer labs for online Western classes and services. See the Regional Locations page for available hours.

View the Computer Labs page for more information.

File Storage Options

In addition to using personal devices, such as USB drives, for storing files, Western also offers network file storage (I: drive) and an online file storage option (OneDrive for Business). Please reference this Knowledge Base document for more information about available file storage options.

Printing Information

Each student receives a $3.00 credit to their printing account the first term they attend the college. Charges for printing are incurred both in the classrooms and the computer labs. Your printing balance will be tracked through your network login account, and you can check your balance at any time at http://printing.westerntc.edu.

Charges per print vary per printer, based on color, black and white, etc. and discounts are offered on two-sided prints.

When balances are low and/or depleted, you may add funds ($3.00 minimum) by going to the cashier’s office or regional location cashiers.

Used Computers for Sale

Information Technology Services has used computers, laptops, and iMacs for sale. The types of used computers vary, so please check out our current list of used computer equipment.

View list of used computers currently for sale.

Purchase New Dell and HP Computers at Discounted Price

Students can purchase new computers from Dell and HP at a discounted price. See the links below for more information.

Contact Us for More Information