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.

  • 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

Additional Resources:

Collaborating Remotely

Geneseo employees have several options for working with colleagues remotely. Google calendar makes it easy to add video conferencing to any meeting. 

Google Hangouts Meet

For video meetings Google Hangouts can quickly and easily be created in Google Calendar, see our guide. For more information, visit this Google guide. Hangouts Meet is already included with G Suite for Education.

Tips for video meetings

  • Create a live, editable doc so everyone dialed in can contribute notes in real-time.Google docs and the college wiki 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:

  • Banner
  • 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 are the best tool 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 resource for more information. CIT recommends the google file stream utility to easily access Google drive files from your PC, Mac, or mobile device.

Google 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. If you are already off-campus and need to forward your extension please contact CIT.

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.

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

There are two (2) options for tracking the laptops and/or desktops that faculty and staff will be removing from campus in support the Governor's directive for non-essential employees to work from home, when possible, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  *Please choose whichever process works best for your areas.*

(1) Standard Procedure - Have each faculty and staff member 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.  

(2) Alternative Process (Given Current Circumstances) - Have your departments prepare a listing of the individuals who will be removing laptops and/or computers from campus.  Next to each name, the person creating the list simply needs to write the "laptop" or "desktop" and the make of the computer (i.e., Dell or Apple).    I can see the details of the specific computers assigned to them via CIT's data base, so we'll be able to track.   Note, this option assumes approval by the appropriate VP and Department Head, given present circumstances.

Requesting Help

For questions, contact the CIT HelpDesk by calling (585) 245-5588 or visiting our online service desk.

NEW! CIT has added real-time chat and remote support capabilities. Submit a request on our remote help portal to get immediate assistance between 8:30 am and 4 pm.

Ideas for Working From Home

What can you do once you have fulfilled your performance goals and work plan listed in your alternate worksite location agreement?  You should always consult with your supervisor first to see if they have additional objectives for you.  The following list has been developed to provide additional ideas that will make productive use of your time working remotely.

  • Learn something new on LinkedIn Learning.  LinkedIn Learning is an online training library that teaches the latest software, creative and business skills.