This guide will provide you with details on the most common technical questions and needs during the first week of the semester.

Information Technology extends a warm welcome to you!

This guide will provide you with details on the most common technical questions and needs during the first week of the semester.

If you don't find what you are looking for, please feel free to contact the PioTech Center, the IT service desk, we are here to assist you further!

Connect to Wi-Fi

Connecting a laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet:

These devices should be connected to the Sacred Heart network.

1.     Open your network connections list in the tray (top on MacOS, bottom on Windows) or on your phone, navigate to Settings > Wi-fi.
2.     Select Sacred Heart.
3.     Enter your SHU username (example: if your email is redb63@mail.sacredheart.edu - the username is redb63) and password.
4.     Click Connect.
5.     Accept/trust certificate (if prompted).

Connecting on an Android phone? Follow these steps instead (link).

Connecting other devices:

Other Wi-Fi capable devices such as consoles, virtual assistants, entertainment systems, TVs, and so on, should be connected to SHU-DeviceNet. Here is how:

1. Retrieve the Wi-Fi MAC address from your device.
   • Refer to the documentation for your individual device, as MAC address location varies.
   • Some devices have the MAC address on a sticker on the underside/backside.
   • Some devices have the MAC address in the Settings under Network/Advanced/Connection etc.
2. Go to SHU-DeviceNet site (link) on a phone or laptop that is connected to the Sacred Heart network or VPN.
3. Sign in with your SHU username and password.
4. Click Add.
5. Enter a device name - this is for your use to recognize which device it is.
   • Do not include any apostrophes
6. Enter the MAC Address of the device.
   • The MAC address may be entered in any of the following formats.
     • AABBCC112233
     • AABBCC-112233
     • AABB.CC11.22.33
     • AA-BB-CC-11-22-33
     • AA:BB:CC:11:22:33
7. Enter a Description (optional).
8. Click Submit.
9. Go to the network connection selection on your device.
10. Attempt to connect to the SHU-DeviceNet network.
    • If you are prompted for a password, enter: SacredHeart

MySHU Portal

MySHU Portal is home to many of the services provided to you by the university. You might have already accessed it by now when you first set up your account!

1. Access MySHU Portal at myshu.sacredheart.edu (link).
2. Sign in with your full SHU email (ex.: redb63@mail.sacredheart.edu) and password.

MySHU Portal was updated on August 3rd, 2025. Services and information are displayed as cards and your view can be customized! To learn more about how to use the new portal, see this article (link).

Access Courses

Courses are located on Blackboard. To view your courses, browse syllabi, and first week materials:

1. Sign in to MySHU Portal.
2. Click the Blackboard icon in Quick Links card.
3. Once in Blackboard, select Courses on the left.
4. Browse your current or upcoming courses within Blackboard.

Note: often, faculty do not open the course until the first week or even the first day of class - don't worry if you see "Course not available" status on the course before then.

Sacred Heart Email

Check your email for any notifications about your move-in and start of the semester. This is where you will receive emails from your professors, your program, clubs and organizations, as well as the university as a whole. There are usually many events happening at the start of the semester to help you engage with your new community, and they are primarily communicated via email.

You can access your email directly at outlook.office.com, through a phone or desktop app, or through MySHU Portal.

Via MySHU Portal:

1. Sign in to MySHU Portal.
2. Click the Outlook icon in Quick Links card.
3. If prompted, select or type in your Sacred Heart email and select Work or School to sign in.
4. Browse your email box.

Via a phone/tablet app:

Check out these articles for adding your Sacred Heart email to a phone or table email application:

• Adding Email on iPad or iPhone
• Adding Email on an Android Device

Via a desktop application:

1. Sign in to Microsoft 365.
   • Did you know, all students get a Microsoft 365 Enterprise license while taking classes at Sacred Heart? 
2. Click Apps.
3. Click Install Apps in top right corner, then Microsoft 365 Apps.
4. A new page will open. Click Install Office. The download will begin.
5. Run the installer. Microsoft 365 will install.
6. Check your Applications for Microsoft applications and start Outlook.
7. Sign in with your full Sacred Heart email and password.
8. Emails will begin loading from latest to earliest.

Check Student Planning and Advising

Student Planning and Advising, or SPA, is a site that helps you track your course assignments, your progress in a program, add/drop courses, browse the course catalogue, and more.

Sign in to SPA:

1. Sign in to MySHU Portal.
2. Click the SPA icon in Quick Links card.
3. Sign in to SPA with your Sacred Heart username (first part of your email, such as redb63) and password.

Check your schedule:

1. Sign in to SPA and click Student Planning.
2. Click Go to Plan & Schedule: 
3. On the Schedule tab, select the right semester to view your schedule.
   1. The courses will be listed out on the left, and any synchronous courses will be displayed in the schedule view on the right.
4. Make sure to check the location for your course the morning before your class by expanding Meeting Information dropdown for the course. Classrooms can change at the last minute, always double-check location on SPA before the first class.