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RamPoint Frequently Asked Questions

General
Content, Channels, and Tabs
Courses
Groups
Calendar
Email

General

Question:
What is RamPoint?

Answer:
RamPoint is Colorado State University's new web portal that provides personalized access to web services. You can customize RamPoint so that the information and tools you need and want are available when you log in. All registered students, faculty and staff have access to course information, group tools, campus life, work life, personal calendars, email, and more -- anytime, anywhere.
Question:
How do I login to RamPoint?

Answer:
Point your web browser to http://rampoint.colostate.edu and login using your CSU eID.
Question:
What is my portal username and password?

Answer:
RamPoint uses your CSU eIdentity (eID) for authentication. For faculty and staff, your eID eName and ePassword are the same as your lamar username and password. If you have questions or problems logging in, you may contact the Computing Help Desk.
Question:
Is my information secure? Why don't I see the key lock security symbol at the bottom of the screen?

Answer:
Security for RamPoint is provided by Verisign. Because most pages are actually frames within a page you may not see the key icon that indicates a secure page; however, the pages are still secure.

Your personal information on RamPoint is protected through your eID. Only by logging on with your eName and ePassword can your information be accessed. For this reason, it is very important that you do not share your eID with anyone. No one, including support staff, needs to know your password for any reason. For your protection, it is essential that you log out of RamPoint whenever you leave your computer so that your personal information is not exposed.
Question:
When is RamPoint available and how long is the time-out for inactivity?

Answer:
The portal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some channels rely on data from systems that are down for backup and maintenance during the evening. These channels may not be available in the portal during that time.

If you forget to log out of RamPoint, the portal will automatically time out after 2 hours of inactivity. This is a security feature that helps prevent others from gaining access to your private information (student records, financial information, your online coursework, etc.), particularly when you are using a public computer. Warning: This is not a substitute for logging out. The only way to absolutely ensure that your information remains secure is to LOG OUT before you leave the computer.
Question:
How do I get help with RamPoint?

Answer:
For general help with RamPoint click the Help icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. If you have questions or problems, contact the Computing Help Desk.
Question:
Who can I contact to make comments or suggestions for the portal?

Answer:
Your comments and suggestions are most welcome at rampoint@colostate.edu.
Question:
How can I get training on RamPoint?

Answer:
RamPoint has excellent on-line help and that should be your first resource. Click the Help icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen to view the on-line help pages. Computer Training and Support Services (CTSS) provides hands-on workshops for faculty and staff, including RamPoint's course and group tools. Classes are offered twice a semester. Watch eComment for CTSS workshop announcements. CTSS workshop handouts are available on the Web at http://www.ctss.colostate.edu/sub_traininghandouts.aspx. Students should check with their college labs to see if training on RamPoint is available.
Question:
Can retirees use RamPoint?

Answer:
If a retiree has an active eID, they can login to RamPoint using their eID. A retiree will have a limited set of tabs and will be able to add a limited set of channels.
Question:
Can alumni use RamPoint?

Answer:
No. However, former students may have access to RamPoint for a short period of time. Alumni can access RAMrecords from outside of the portal (at ramrecords.colostate.edu using their PID and PAC. RAMrecords provides access to services such as address update, transcripts, billing information, and more.
Question:
Why does RamPoint log me out without letting me know first?

Answer:
RamPoint is equipped with a "tickle" feature to remind you that the 2 hours of inactivity is almost up. This feature is a "pop-up" window and will only be visible if "pop-ups" are allowed for the RamPoint web site.
Question:
Why don't my browser's"back" and "forward" buttons work properly in the portal?

Answer:
The best way to navigate through the portal is to use the tabs and the links within RamPoint. The "back" and "forward" buttons in your borrower may move from tab to tab or channel to channel, but if changes have been made or other logins have been made, using the browser's navigation buttons may not have the desired effect.
Question:
What is Campus Pipeline?

Answer:
You may see the term Campus Pipeline on various portal pages. Campus Pipeline is the previous name of the portal software that is now called RamPoint.

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Content, Channels, and Tabs

Question:
Do faculty, staff, and students all see the same view of RamPoint?

Answer:
No. Faculty and staff see a different default view of RamPoint than students see. The content that an individual sees is determined by their role at the University. Currently the possible roles are student and faculty/staff. Individuals are presented with a different set of tabs and channels containing the default content for their role.
Question:
How do I customize RamPoint?

Answer:
You can easily customize RamPoint by adding new channels and tabs and removing those that are not useful to you. To customize your view of the portal, click the Content/Layout link in the upper left hand portion of the screen. click the tab you want to change. You can then add, modify, or delete columns and channels on that tab. When you are finished click the back to link to return to RamPoint. If you cannot figure out how to do something on a tab, click the Help icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. Under the Portal Help Menu select How Do I... to get help on adding, modifying, or deleting columns, channels, and tabs.
Question:
How can I get back to the original look (default view) of the portal?

Answer:
On the RamPoint login screen, click in the box Reset Your RamPoint Profile. NOTE: When your layout is re-created you will lose your bookmark settings and ALL customizations made to ALL TABS and CHANNELS. Your Calendars and email will not be affected.
Question:
Can I import bookmarks into RamPoint?

Answer:
Bookmarks cannot be imported into RamPoint at this time. You can add bookmarks individually to the RamPoint Bookmark channel on the Home tab.
Question:
How will I know when new channels are added?

Answer:
New channels will be added regularly. Watch for a notice on the Home tab showing RamPoint News that will describe a new channel and its location.
Question:
I have a great idea for a new channel. How can I contribute a channel to RamPoint?

Answer:
See http://rampointproject.colostate.edu and check out the Channel Developer section or email your idea to rampoint@colostate.edu.

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Courses

Question:
What course communication tools are available in RamPoint?

Answer:
RamPoint can include a course home page, news, links, message board, chat, email and more. It is up to the instructor to determine if he/she wants to use the RamPoint communication tools. For example, an instructor may choose to use the portal tools, WebCT, or a standard web site. If instructors have questions about which options to use, they should visit http://rampointproject.colostate.edu. Under the Faculty/Staff section, look for information on Course and Group Tools.
Question:
How do the RamPoint course communication tools differ from WebCT?

Answer:
RamPoint's course tools are primarily for communicating with students through a course home page, message board, calendar, and groups. WebCT offers a more robust set of course tools, including automated tools for assignments, quizzes, tests, and grades. (For more information, visit http://rampointproject.colostate.edu. Under the Faculty/Staff section, look for information on Course and Group Tools).
Question:
Is training available on the course communication tools?

Answer:
Yes, Computer Training and Support Services (CTSS) provides hands-on workshops for faculty and staff, including RamPoint's course tools.
Question:
How do I link a WebCT course to the portal?

Answer:
Instructors can click the Teach/Advise tab and then click the My Courses channel. click the red Edit icon next to the course you want to link to. When you click this icon a pop-up window appears that allows you to select RamPoint or Other. Select Other and enter the URL of your WebCT course. The course will then be visible to your students in their My Courses channel.
Question:
I have developed a web site for my course and would like RamPoint to link to this site. Is this possible?

Answer:
Yes. In RamPoint, click the Teach/Advise tab, then click the My Courses channel. You will see a red Edit icon beside each course you teach. When you click this icon a pop-up window appears that allows you to select RamPoint or Other. Select Other and enter the URL of your WebCT course. The course will then be visible to your students in their My Courses channel.
Question:
Can the list of students that the instructor sees in the course communication tools be exported or viewed in a printable format?

Answer:
No, but a work around is to highlight the text, press control-c (copy) to copy it, open up MS-Excel, then control-v (paste) to paste it and work with the list in Excel.
Question:
How often is the My Courses channel updated?

Answer:
Information moves from campus databases to the portal at various intervals throughout the day and night. Some portal information is updated immediately and other data may take up to 24 hours.

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Groups

Question:
Where can I learn more about the group tools?

Answer:
You can read about group tools by clicking on the Help icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Select Groups under the Help Topics Index to access the Groups Help Menu. To learn how group tools are being used at CSU, see http://rampoint.colostate.edu. Under the Faculty/Staff section, look for information on Course and Group Tools.
Question:
How do I request a group?

Answer:
Faculty/Staff: Select the Groups icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen, then select the Request Group tab. Your request will be sent to the RamPoint Content Administrator for approval. As soon as your request has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification.

Students: If a student organization would like to use the Group Tools, the group must be registered with the Student Organizations Office. Registered student groups may contact the Student Organizations Office to obtain a RamPoint Group Request Form. Once the form is completed and approved by the group sponsor, the Student Organizations Office will electronically request the group. The group sponsor can then delegate group administration to any group member. The Student Organizations Office may be contacted at: Campus Activities Center Lower Level, Lory Student Center, 970-491-1115.
Question:
How do I join a group?

Answer:
Select the Groups icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen, then select the Groups Index tab to browse the list of available on-line groups and request membership.
Question:
I uploaded a file for my group, but some members cannot download it. Why is this happening?

Answer:
Some web browsers cannot access filenames that have spaces in them. When uploading files for your group, ensure that the filenames do not contain spaces. For example, to make a file named topics to discuss.doc available to everyone, it should be stored with a filename of topics_to_discuss.doc.

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Calendar

Question:
What calendars are available?

Answer:
All students can use RamPoint's free electronic calendar. Faculty and staff may choose to use the portal calendar or continue using Corporate Time calendar (the University standard).

Portal Calendar

Question:
Where do I find information on using the portal calendar?

Answer:
To find information on the portal calendar, click the Help icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. You will see a pop-up window titled Help Center. Select Calendar under the Help Topics Index to see the Calendar Help Menu.
Question:
Why do I have more than one calendar in the portal?

Answer:
Portal users may have multiple calendars. You will have a personal calendar, and you may have multiple group and course calendars.
Question:
Can I combine my portal calendars?

Answer:
Yes, your portal calendars may be combined by creating a calendar set. To create a Calendar Set, click the Portal Calendar icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. Select the Calendar Sets tab. click the New Set icon. Enter a name for your calendar set in the Set Name box. For more help on calendar sets, click the Help icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. Select Calendar, and then click the Calendar Sets Tab folder.

Corporate Time Calendar

Question:
Can I access my Corporate Time calendar from the portal?

Answer:
Yes, faculty and staff can access the web view of their Corporate Time calendar by clicking on the Corporate Time icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen.
Question:
Can I merge my Corporate Time calendar with the portal calendar?

Answer:
It is not currently possible to combine your Corporate Time calendar with the portal calendar.

Outlook Calendar

Question:
Can I access my Outlook calendar from the portal?

Answer:
If your college or department offers Outlook Web Access, you can access your Outlook calendar from the portal by clicking on the Outlook icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen.
Question:
Can I merge my Outlook calendar with the portal calendar?

Answer:
It is not currently possible to combine your Outlook calendar with the portal calendar.

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Email

Question:
How do I read my email in RamPoint?

Answer:
You can check your email via the Web using WebMail by clicking on the WebMail icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. At the WebMail login screen, select your server and enter your email login name and password.
Question:
Can I access my email using Outlook?

Answer:
If your college or department supports Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), you can read your mail by clicking on the Outlook icon in the upper right corner of the RamPoint screen. If your department does not support Outlook Web Access, you cannot get to Outlook from the portal.

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