Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is an AI tool that lets users ask questions, get summaries, draft content, and retrieve information through a simple chat interface. All faculty, staff, and students at URI have access to the base level of this tool through the Microsoft 365 suite.

While this provides access to a useful set of AI prompting capabilities, please note that more advanced features of Microsoft Copilot, such as integration across Microsoft tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, are not available at this time.

Executive Lead

Robert Viens

Technical Lead

Mark Oliver
moliver@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Community Services
Tier 2 Support

About the Service:

Features

  • AI Assistance: Ask questions and get clear, conversational answers powered by AI.
  • Content Support: Draft, rewrite, or summarize text to save time and improve clarity.
  • File Uploads: Share documents for quick analysis, summaries, or idea generation.
  • In-App Access: Use Copilot Chat in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to get context-aware help.
  • Web Insights: Pull in information from the public web to enhance your work.
  • Flexible Use: Apply Copilot Chat to brainstorm, learn new topics, or refine communication across tasks.

Access

Sign In:

Support and Training

Resources:

Knowledge Article 

Get Help:

For questions or consultations regarding Microsoft 365 Copilot chat, contact the ITS Service Desk at helpdesk@uri.edu or explore the Microsoft Support Center.

 

Respondus Logo

Respondus is a secure assessment tool designed to enhance online exam integrity at URI. The Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) restricts students from printing, copying, accessing other sites, or switching applications during computer based exams. LDB is most effective for in-person computer based exams, since students could use other devices to bypass restrictions.

Executive Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable

Technical Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable
rogersmd@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Teaching and Learning

About the Service:

Access

  • There is a Respondus lockdown browser (LDB) license for select departments on campus.
  • Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) is currently approved for use on Nursing department computers. The approval does not extend to other campus departments. Other departments interested in purchasing a license may submit a Service Desk ticket to request more information.

Securing Exams

  • In-Person Exams: Lockdown Browser – LDB works to secure in-person exams only. LDB alone does not secure online remote exams. LDB requires that a client be installed on the laptop/computer for it to work with the Brightspace integration, and needs to be updated 2x per year. See below for departmental approvals.

Support

Brightspace Logo

Brightspace is URI’s learning management system (LMS). It is a web-based, mobile-friendly, hosted learning platform used for delivering course content and other online learning resources. Brightspace contains a flexible suite of tools for creating custom content for online delivery. Instructors can promote student engagement and successful learning outcomes through utilization of the many Brightspace tools and features.

Executive Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable

Technical Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable
rogersmd@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Teaching and Learning

About the Service:

Access

Training and How-To Guides

Access to Top Hat is integrated into the University Single-Sign-on (SSO) solution via the Office 365 portal at https://web.uri.edu/its/office-365/. If you are having problems with your SSO credentials, please go to https://password.uri.edu to reset your password. This process will synchronize all of your passwords except eCampus.

Support

  • 24/7 Support – Live Chat
    Look for the LiveChat icon on the home page as well as a bunch of other locations in the product – if you need help at any point, just click on the icon and get connected directly to Brightspace staff, even when the URI Service Desk is closed.
  • ATL Pedagogical Support
    Get pedagogical support from the Office of Advancement of Teaching & Learning
    Tyler Hall, 9 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI 02881
    Web: https://web.uri.edu/atl
  • IT Service Desk
    Get support for all issues related to eCampus, email, internet connections, wireless, smartphones and tablets, laptops, desktops and more.

Additional Information

Check out this page for latest announcement and additional information on course shell creation, course merging, Brightspace integration requests, Pulse app, and more topics.
Go to More Info About Brightspace

Turning is now part of “echo360, rebranded as PointSolutions“. PointSolutions is a versatile, full-featured, flexible tool that helps instructors engage and assess participation with interactive questions. Use the PointSolutions app to evaluate learning, gather valuable data, and give everyone a voice no matter how big the class, training session or event. For more information on logging in or getting help see KB0010175.

Executive Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable

Technical Lead

Michelle Rogers-Estable
rogersmd@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Teaching and Learning

About the Service:

Cost

  • PointSolutions pricing for URI students:
  • 1 Year License – $24.99 || 1 Year License with Clicker – $46.98

    Access to PointSolutions is integrated into the University Single-Sign-on (SSO) solution via the Office 365 portal at https://web.uri.edu/its/office-365/. If you are having problems with your SSO credentials, please go to https://password.uri.edu to reset your password. This process will synchronize all of your passwords except eCampus.

Access

Access PointSolutions via O365 Portal

Navigate to URI Microsoft 365 Portal, and select tab on the top of All apps icon on the bottom right corner of the pae and select PointSolutions All apps.
Log on to Microsoft O365 Portal

Access PointSolutions in Brightspace

In Brightspace, select the course you are teaching, navigate to Content tab on the Nav bar, select Existing Activities–>External Learning Tools–>URI TurningPoint Poll System to access PointSolutions in Brightspace.
Log on to Brightspace

Support and Training

 

Dismiss message

eCampus Has Moved to SSO

eCampus now utilizes Single Sign-On (SSO) for a faster and more secure login. Visit myapps.microsoft.com and look for the eCampus tiles.
📌 Remember to update your bookmarks to myapps.microsoft.com!

eCampus is the University of Rhode Island’s central online system for Student Administration, Financials, and Human Resources. Students, faculty, and staff use eCampus to manage class registration, timesheets, payroll, requisitions, and other administrative tasks.

Note: Access is integrated with URI’s Single Sign-On (SSO). If you experience login issues, visit myapps.microsoft.com directly – not using saved links or bookmarks.

Executive Lead

Scotia Roopnarine

Technical Lead

Jeroen Soeurt

Support Team

ITS Enterprise Applications
helpdesk@uri.edu

About the Service:

Features

Campus Solutions Tasks: Manage classes, financial aid, and employee timesheets

Financials Tasks: Submit requisitions, purchase orders, and travel authorization

Human Resources Tasks: Access the staff directory and view compensation history

Access

How to Log In:
Use your URI credentials to log in through the Microsoft MyApps Portal. Locate and select the eCampus tile once signed in.

First-Time Access:
New users must Register for eCampus. This includes students, faculty, and staff.

SSO Reminder:
eCampus is only accessible via URI’s Single Sign-On. Make sure you’re not using outdated bookmarks or links.

Browser Tips:
If you have trouble accessing the portal, clear your cache and cookies. See support instructions under the Support section.

myapps portal Register for eCampus

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble logging in:

Locked out of eCampus? Contact helpdesk@uri.edu.

ITS Service Desk
Walk-in support is available M-F 8-5 in the basement of the library
virtual machines with icon of computer gear and cloud

Virtual Machines (VMs) at URI provide flexible and efficient hosting for applications and services. Hosted on VxRails infrastructure, VMs share hardware and software resources to optimize scalability and cost-effectiveness. URI offers both on-premise and cloud-based virtual machine options, customized to meet the specific needs of applications and usage requirements.

Get Help

For assistance with virtual machines or to request a consultation, contact the ITS Service Desk.

Executive Lead

Chi Shen

Technical Lead

Brad Jasperson
bradj@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Cloud & IT Infrastructure

 

Wordpress Logo

WordPress is URI’s open-source content management system (CMS), enabling the efficient creation and maintenance of institutional websites.

Managed by External Relations and Communications, WordPress supports a unified and professional web presence for the university, guided by the URI Web Policy.

Get Help

For more information or to request a consultation about WordPress, contact the ITS Service Desk.

Additional Resources

Executive Lead

Brandon Fuller

Technical Lead

Brandon Fuller
bjcfuller@uri.edu

Support Team

Distributed IT
URI External Relations and Communications

Wired Networks with icon of ethernet cable

The URI wired network provides robust Ethernet connections to thousands of locations across campus, ensuring reliable access for devices such as VoIP phones and desktop computers that require a physical connection.

Managed by ITS Infrastructure Networking, the system delivers high-speed, secure connectivity for academic, administrative, and operational needs.

Get Help

If you encounter an inactive or damaged network wall jack, or need a new network jack installed, contact the ITS Service Desk. Note that new installations require a fee.

Executive Lead

Mark Fester

Technical Lead

Mark Fester
mfester@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Networking

Wifi with wifi icon

The University of Rhode Island provides campus-wide WiFi access through three networks:

  • URI Secure – The recommended encrypted network for students, faculty, and staff.
  • URI Open – For initial setup and guest access.
  • EDUROAM – Available for visitors from participating institutions.

For best security and performance, all URI account holders should connect to URI Secure using their university credentials.

Executive Lead

Mark Fester

Technical Lead

Mark Fester
mfester@uri.edu

Support Team

ITS Networking

About the Service:

WiFi Networks and Access

URI Secure

  • Provides encrypted, authenticated connections.
  • Best for daily use by students, faculty, and staff.

Device-Specific Setup Guides

URI Open (Guest Network)

  • Available for short-term use and initial WiFi setup.
  • Guests can follow the instructions in this Knowledge Base Article to get connected.

Eduroam (For Visitors)

  • Simply connect to EDUROAM using your home institution’s login credentials.
  • Available for visitors from institutions that support EDUROAM.

Troubleshooting and Support

Common Connection Issues

  • General Troubleshooting: Knowledge Base Articles.
  • Android Users: Some Android devices may require disabling randomized MAC addresses (Instructions).
  • Gaming Consoles & Smart Devices: Register devices manually using this guide.