Starting out means getting access to, well… basically everything. Email, expense reports, mystery portals you didn’t know existed — it can be overwhelming. So instead of sending you on a digital scavenger hunt, we’ve pulled all the logins you’ll need into one easy guide. No guesswork, no “wait, where’s that link again?”, just everything you need to hit the ground running.
You’ve got this — and we’ve got your links.
UMCES-specific
Google Workspace Account
Created: During onboarding by UMCES AL IT | Type: Username + Password | Access: Google Workspace, SharePoint University Intranet |
As part of the onboarding process, IT staff will create an account in the UMCES Google Workspace. This will include:
Your @umces.edu Gmail email address
Your shared calendars
Your Google Drive space, including shared files and folders
Google Docs, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentations
Google Gemini Pro
Google chat
Other Google Workspace apps you may use like Google Keep, Google Drawings, etc.
When the account is created, an email will be sent from Google to the email address you gave during onboarding. This email has instructions on how to set a new password before using your Google Workspace account for the first time.
Note: In some cases, the email from Google does not appear. Contact UMCES AL IT and they can issue a new password reset email from Google.
This password expires yearly. You will begin to receive notices of this expiration 30 days before expiration.
This is the naming convention for email addresses at AL: firstname.lastname@umces.edu
Sharepoint University Intranet – Use UMCES Google credentials. Intranet pages of potential interest:
USM/UMD/Workday
Created: During Onboarding | Type: Username + Password + 2FA | Access: Workday, Microsoft 365, Concur Travel, Zoom |
You must navigate identity.umd.edu and set up your username and passphrase.
You must set up a two-factor authentication (2FA) to use these credentials.
UMCES AL IT does not have any control over these credentials.
This password expires every 180 days.
Workday – used for time entry (hourly), leave requests (salaried), grant reporting (faculty), timesheet/leave request approvals (supervisors). Should log in at least once a week OR when you get task notifications via email
Additional services accessed via your USM/UMD login credentials:
Microsoft 365 – use your username@umd.edu username and password.
UMD Zoom – for video conferencing. This uses your username@umd.edu username and password.
Concur Travel – for conducting work-related travel. This also uses your username@umd.edu username and password.
Tuition remission portal for employee (NOT GRA), spouse and dependent tuition remission requests.
UMD email via Google – These messages should be automatically forwarded to your UMCES email, but you should log in to be sure that you are receiving UMD emails – particularly faculty and students! This uses your username@umd.edu username and password.
SPS Workday
Created: During Onboarding | Type: Username + Password + 2FA | Access: Health Benefits Enrollment |
Workday SPS – different from every day Workday. It is used for initial benefit elections and open enrollment.
Additional information can be found at this link. Workday SPS will use a W number that is generated once you are entered into a benefit eligible position and an email will be sent to your @umces.edu email address.
POSC
Created: By User | Type: Username + Password | Access: Payroll, W2/W4 |
The State of Maryland Payroll Online Service Center (POSC) allows you to view past pay stubs, access your W2, and make changes to your W4 and Direct Deposit.
Note: You will need to read the help links on the left side of the page to get started with your account.
UMCES AL IT does not have any control over these credentials.
This password expires every four months.
Supplemental Retirement Portal
Created: By User | Type: Username + Password | Update supplemental retirement account contributions |
Supplemental retirement website – USM Retirement At Work
Update contributions in real time
You will create your OWN account – user name and password based on your date of birth/ss #
AL-specific
During your time at the Appalachian Laboratory, you will need network security credentials to access many online resources. This is a guide as to what these are, and the appropriate places to use them.
Active Directory Account
Created: During onboarding by UMCES AL IT | Type: Username + Password | Access: Windows shared folders, “AL_WIFI” network, “Inside AL” website |
During the onboarding process, IT staff will create an account in the UMCESAL Active Directory. In accordance with state policy, this account has a pre-expired password, meaning it will need to be changed before the account can be used. To change the password, login to any AL Windows machine, like the ones in the Landscape Ecology Laboratory (room 231). Upon logging in with the temporary password, Windows will ask you to change the password. Once changed, these credentials can be used to access the resources listed above.
Note: You will not be able to use the AL_WIFI network until the account is made active, using the instructions above.
This password expires yearly. You will begin to receive notices of this expiration 10 days before expiration.
While these credentials are the main ones you will use, other systems use different credentials that you may use. Other credentials you may receive:
UMCES AL OpenVPN
Created: Upon request from the user by UMCES AL IT | Type: Username + Password + Certificate | Access: Internal Lab resources from outside the Lab |
UMCES AL IT maintains a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is a way to access computers and resources in the Lab from outside the Lab. Upon request, you will receive credentials to access the UMCES AL VPN.
While the password for this account does not expire, the certificate based on the credentials does expire yearly. You can request a new certificate when necessary from UMCES AL IT.
AL Purchasing System – ALPS
Created: Upon request from supervisor by UMCES AL IT | Type: Username + Password | Access: ALPS online purchasing system |
Upon request from your supervisor/PI, you may receive credentials for an account on ALPS, the AL Purchasing System, available at http://alps.al.umces.edu/ . These credentials are created and managed by UMCES AL IT.
This password does not expire.
Scientific Computing Cluster – SCC
Created: Upon request from supervisor by UMCES AL IT | Type: Username + Password | Access: SCC Virtual Machines, home folder |
Upon a request from your supervisor/PI, you may be assigned a virtual machine on the AL Scientific Computing Cluster (SCC). You will receive credentials from UMCES AL IT for this virtual machine. These same credentials work for any future VMs that you may have, as well as allowing access to your home directory on the SCC from other machines on the Lab network.
This password does not expire and cannot be changed.
AL Online
Created: By the user | Type: Username + Password | Access: AL Vehicle Reservation System |
To reserve a fleet vehicle, you will need to create an account with ALOnline at http://alonline.al.umces.edu/. This site is only accessible via the building network or through VPN. After you have successfully created your account, you may reserve a fleet vehicle at: http://alonline.al.umces.edu/vrs/add.
This password does not expire.
UMCES Website Profile
Created: By AL webmaster | Type: Username + Password | Access: Faculty Website Profile |
Through onboarding, a user account and profile will be established for you at www.umces.edu. You will receive a Google doc containing the login address, your login credentials, and instructions on how to make updates to your profile in case you want to add personnel, publications, references to published web content, or an updated copy of your CV.
This password does not expire.
Faculty Portals
For entering and updating grades
https://ares.umd.edu (UMEG) – Use UMD credentials
https://portal.frostburg.edu/paws/
Credentials will be sent from Frostburg IT department /FSU instructors at AL will also receive a Frostburg email address
Student Portals
For viewing grades and account balances.
Students – View Grades
Grades at UMD: https://registrar.umd.edu/grades-records/grades/how-to-view-grades-gpas
Grades at FSU: https://www.frostburg.edu/about-frostburg/Administrative-Offices/registrars-office/Records/Transcript-Requests.php
Students – View Billing
Other
Moodle: UMCES’s Learning Management System that supports UMCES’ educational programs for students and faculty. For questions and assistance, or to request access, please contact cbl-it@umces.edu.