Spring 2024 – System Upgrade FAQs

What is the Student Gateway?  
The Student Gateway is a new student portal to meet your academic and financial aid needs. The new Student Gateway launched on Monday, July 1, and will replace both myUWS and the myFinancialAid portal.

What will I use the Student Gateway for?  
You’ll be able to do everything you previously did using myUWS and the myFinancialAid portal using the Student Gateway, including:

• View your course schedule
• View your grades
• View your financial aid award letter and accept your offer
• View and pay your bill
• Update your personal information
• See what’s new and upcoming at UWS
• And much more!

Beginning with fall 2024 registration, students who self-register will also use the Student Gateway to register for courses.  

How do I access the Student Gateway?  
Starting on July 1, you will find a link to the Student Gateway by going to the “Inside UWS” button on the UWS website and clicking on Student Gateway. Future communications from the university asking you to take action such as registering for courses will also include a link to the Student Gateway.

Bookmark the link today!

You will need to log into the Student Gateway with your UWS username and password.

I’m having trouble logging into the Student Gateway. What should I do?  
Be sure you’ve entered your UWS username and password correctly. If you still cannot access the Student Gateway, please put in a Help Desk ticket or call 800-747-8367 for assistance.

What system will I use to register for summer term courses?  
Please contact [email protected] if you need to add or drop courses for the summer 2024 term, and they will assist you.  

Beginning with fall 2024 registration, students who self-register will also use the Student Gateway to register for courses.  

What system will I use to view my spring term final grades and my summer term schedule?  
Students can view their final grades for spring term in myUWS or the Student Gateway.  

What is happening to Canvas?  
UWS will transition to a new version of Canvas as part of our affiliation with The Community Solution Education System (TCS).

When will UWS transition to the new version of Canvas?    
The new iteration of Canvas goes live for students in summer term on Friday, July 5, 2024.

What will happen to all of my current Canvas course content and files?  
Once new Canvas goes live, you will still be able to access previous courses and content in the old version of Canvas, but it will be accessed on a separate site. The new version of UWS Canvas will not include your current or previously completed coursework.

Access to the current version of UWS Canvas will eventually be discontinued and students will be routed to the new Canvas website at that time. Any files not previously downloaded will become inaccessible once this occurs.

We strongly suggest that you download content from any current and previous courses in Canvas that you may wish to save for future reference now.

Note that after June 29, Panopto videos will no longer be available in UWS Canvas due to the conclusion of the contract with Panopto. If you return to an old course, the videos will not appear. This is not an error.

What types of files and course materials should I download and keep from Canvas?  
We recommend downloading:

• Course syllabi,
• All graded assignments,
• Any articles or other course files you found particularly useful, and
• Any material to assist with board exams.   

Note that after June 29, Panopto videos will no longer be available in UWS Canvas due to the conclusion of the contract with Panopto. If you return to an old course, the videos will not appear. This is not an error.

How do I download the current Canvas course content and files I want to keep?  
See these instructions for how to download a course file in Canvas. You can download multiple files at the same time by selecting more than one file at once. Canvas also provides 24/7 phone, email and chat support, available in the Canvas Help menu which can be found on the bottom left of every Canvas page. 

How long is course content available in Canvas?    
Access to UWS electronic resources ends when you complete your academic program, so it’s important to download the materials you wish to keep now. More information about access to UWS electronic resources can be found in Policy 3603 Student and Employee Access to Electronic Resources.

Will other systems be upgraded as well?  
Starting on July 8, in conjunction with the launch of the new Canvas, UWS will begin to use a new test security platform called Respondus LockDown Browser that interfaces directly with Canvas. This means that students will no longer need to use external testing platforms such as eMedley/ExamN or ProctorU. Testing will happen in a secure online environment using Canvas in conjunction with Respondus starting in summer term.  

If your course requires use of Respondus, you will find directions provided in a module in the course.  

Where can I get help with my IT questions?
Students and faculty can get help via the Help Desk Portal. The Help Desk Portal is designed to streamline accessing IT support and features: 

• A mobile-friendly interface, 
• Comprehensive user guides for common questions, and 
• Improved routing to ensure you receive help in a timely manner. 

You can also access the Help Desk by calling 800-747-8367.  

Beginning Monday, July 8, the Help Desk portal replaces tickets submitted to [email protected]. Emails sent to [email protected] will receive an automatic reply with the link to the Help Desk Portal and the phone number.  

You will also be able to access the Help Desk portal via the Student Gateway.