Computer Services

HCC provides a variety of computer services and state-of-the-art classrooms and labs to meet the changing technology needs of students and faculty.

HCC Login ID and Password

Use your HCC login ID and password to access myHCC, HCC email, campus computers, password services, and the HCC wireless network. HCC’s online password services tool, available at www.howardcc.edu/PasswordServices, allows students to initially set up and manage their HCC login credentials and reset forgotten passwords. Your HCC login ID usually consists of the first initial of your first name + the first seven digits of your last name + the last four digits of your student ID number. For example, if your name is “Art Vandelay,” and your Student ID number is 1234567, your HCC login ID would be “avandela4567.”

Password services will walk you through the initial set up of your identity and password and with changing your password every 6 months thereafter.

myHCC

myHCC is the center of your digital life at Howard Community College! Use it as the starting point for many online services. After logging into myHCC with your HCC login ID and password, you can view college calendars and announcements, check email, use password services, and access Self Service to:

  • Plan and register for classes (visit howardcc.edu/register for more information);
  • Pay your bill;
  • Order transcripts;
  • View class schedules, grades, advising assignments, financial aid and scholarship status, and academic course history; and
  • View tuition refund and withdrawal deadlines.

Student Email

The college recognizes email as an official method for communication with students. Students are expected to act upon all official communications received at their college email address. Access email within myHCC, or directly from https://outlook.office365.com by using your HCC email address and password. Check your email regularly, delete messages that you no longer need, and empty the Deleted Items folder to ensure you will be able to continue sending and receiving college email. Students may forward their email to an external email account. It is recommended that students who choose that option select the "forward and delete" setting. For instructions on email, visit howardcc.edu/email.

Your student HCC email address is usually yourfirstname.yourlastname@howardcc.edu. Your instructor’s college email address is usually their firstinitiallastname@howardcc.edu.

Canvas and Online Courses

What is Canvas?

Canvas is the college's learning management system (LMS).

What is a learning management system?

A learning management system is an online place for your courses. How you interact with your Canvas course depends on the modality (method of course delivery).

  • Face-to-Face courses use Canvas to post their syllabus and grades. Many classroom instructors also use Canvas for supplemental materials, quizzes, and class activities.
  • Online courses have activities, assignments, discussions and more in Canvas. Looking to access your online course on Canvas at Howard Community College (HCC)? Once the term begins, head to myHCC or www.howardcc.edu and click on "Tools and Resources" and then "Canvas." From there, simply enter your HCC Login ID and password to log in. To ensure the best experience, it's recommended to use the Google Chrome browser.

How do I learn how to use Canvas?

Need help with Canvas?

Canvas 24/7 support via chat and phone is available by using the Help icon in Canvas in the blue, global navigation on the left of the Canvas screen.

How do I learn more about Online Learning?

Visit HCC's Online Learning webpage for more information. Additionally, once in Canvas, you can review the Orientation to Online Learning module by clicking on to the New2HCC icon in the global navigation on the left.

Wireless Internet Access

Using your personal laptop or other device, open a browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and log in to the student wireless network, HCCSTUDENT, using your HCC login ID and password. For limited access, you can use HCCGUEST without log in.

Mobile Alert

HCC’s Mobile Alert system enables you to receive instant notification of important campus information and emergency announcements to your cell phone, email, pager, or desktop RSS application. Subscribing to the service is optional and free; however, standard text messaging charges from your carrier may apply. Visit www.howardcc.edu/mobilealert to learn more and sign up.

Computer Labs and Printing

HCC provides multiple open computer study labs, which offer a quiet academic environment where students can study, do research, and complete class assignments. These labs are equipped with PCs and Macs offering Internet access, scanners, printers, CD/DVD writers, and software based upon the needs of the academic community. Credit students may log in using their HCC login ID and password. Computer lab and help desk staff are stationed within the DH-110 lab to assist users with logging in, software, and other questions.

Students are allocated a specific dollar amount at the beginning of each semester that allows free black ink printing up to that dollar limit. The free printing allocation is shared across other campus computer labs in the Library, Health Sciences lab, Learning Assistance Center, Math lab, and Writing lab. The price of each single-sided page is 10 cents, each duplex (double-sided) page is 15 cents, deducted from your print balance as you print jobs. Students can purchase additional printing funds online using a credit or debit card while logged into a computer in any of the labs listed.

Computer Study Lab Locations and Hours

 

Fall & Spring Semesters

Duncan Hall, Room DH-110

443-518-4602

Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.

 

Clark Library, Room CL-203

Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.

 

Learning Assistance Center, Room RCF-340
Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

File Storage

Students are encouraged to use cloud storage, such as Google Apps and Microsoft Onedrive, for storage of personal files. To access, visit

Students have access to install Microsoft Office 365 on their personal computers. Please go to https://www.microsoft365.com, use your HCC email address and password to login, then choose "Install and more" in the upper right corner.

Laptop Loans

The Help Desk offers laptops for full-time credit students to use. To check out a laptop, go to the computer lab in CL-129, Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Laptops are loaned during fall and spring semesters, starting the second week of each semester, for periods of 4 to 24 hours. No laptop loans are available summer and winter semesters.

Technology Service Center

The Technology Service Center provides a central point of contact for students with questions or problems concerning password issues, email, myHCC, online course access, wireless access, registration, software, and other technology problems. Visit us in the RCF Welcome Center (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm), call us on 443-518-4444, or visit https://howardcc.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/66/Portal/Home/ .