Resources for Working from an Alternate Location

Collaborating with your colleagues and business offices remotely can be a big shift for many workers and offices. Geneseo has several tools to assist in collaboration with your colleagues and maintain operations for alternate work locations.Write a friendly overview of what the article is about in this section

  • Find a quiet space that is free of distraction for any online meetings.

  • Recognize the need to be flexible and patient with your team members during times of disruption.

  • Practice with the tools before you need to use them.

  • Follow Work from Home Security Considerations

Collaborating Remotely

Microsoft Teams is a workspace for real-time collaboration and communication, meetings, file and app sharing, and even the occasional emoji! All in one secure place accessible to everyone you choose to collaborate with. Connect with anyone on campus - all Geneseo users are licensed for Teams, making it easier to add people to a team or search, call, and chat. For more information, head to

Tips for video meetings

  • Create a live, editable doc so everyone in the meeting can contribute notes in real-time. Google docs and SharePoint are good places to do this.

  • Assign clear roles such as a moderator, speaker, tech support to ensure minimal glitches during the meeting

  • Strongly recommend all attendees turn their cameras on (if bandwidth allows) to encourage organic connections and accountability that everyone is engaged

  • Use frontal light

  • Be aware of what's behind you

  • Use a headset

    • the headphones that come with your smart phone will work

    • Logitech sells a variety of good headsets on their website.

  • Stay muted while participating until you are ready to speak

  • Join your session a few minutes early to ensure proper connection

  • Make sure you have reliable network access - when meeting from home, be sure that other family members are not using high-bandwidth applications (Netflix, gaming) while you are meeting

  • Ensure quality video (in the event of low bandwidth, forgo video in place of good audio)

  • If asked to provide your name, please use your full name so other participants can identify you

  • Close any applications that are not needed while you are meeting

Accessing Campus Resources

Many of Geneseo's resources are accessible from off campus without any changes to your computer. Some resources require that you use VPN to create a secure connection to Geneseo's network. Some resources that require VPN are:

  • Argos

  • Running Licensed Software (ArcGIS, Maple, Mathematica, Mathcad, MATLAB, Minitab, Spartan, TI-Nspire, Labview, Vectorworks)

  • \\Files server access like departmental shares and projects spaces

  • Extender

  • Appworx

  • Point-n-Click

We have a guide on configuring VPN and you can always contact the HelpDesk for assistance.

Geneseo virtual lab

Whether you are using a PC or Mac with our virtual lab, you can gain access to a Windows based computer with many of the software packages that are licensed to CIT installed on it. The Virtual Lab is intended primarily for student use. Other members of the campus community may make use of this solution but it may be limited to student centered access. See our guide on the virtual lab for more information.

Sharing Files and Documents

Google Shared Drives and SharePoint are the tools we use to share documents amongst your team. Shared drives ensure that everyone has the appropriate access to the files and folders you are sharing. Please see our Google Drive @ Geneseo and SharePoint resources for more information.

Shared drives are considered secure for most college owned documents, but not PII or HIPPA data. For more information see our comparison of file storage services document.

Telephone Services

  • Call forwarding your phone extension: You can forward all calls from your phone extension to an on campus or off campus extension. See the Forward your phone extension to off-campus extension section of this guide.

  • Call forwarding your department phone: You will need to make a request by calling (585) 245-5588 or visiting our online service desk.

  • Voice mail to email: By default, after you receive a voicemail message on your phone you will also receive an email notification.

  • Single Number Reach (desk phone and cell phone ring simultaneously): You will need to make a request by calling (585) 245-5588 or visiting our online service desk.

  • Masking your personal cell phone number: When returning phone calls dial *67 before you call to mask your personal cell phone number. Be aware that this makes your call show up as "No Caller ID" and people may be less likely to answer.

Taking Equipment Off-Campus

Every faculty and staff member must complete the Equipment - Off-Campus Use Form. This form will require approval of the appropriate Department Head and Vice President, before being forward to Procurement & Property Control Services, Doty Hall 315.

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