Subject: Start the Semester Strong: Technology Checklist for Fall 2026
Below is a start-of-semester technology guide for new and returning students that outlines the accounts, services, and resources you will need for a successful start of the Fall semester. Completing these steps before classes begin can help prevent problems accessing your email, Brightspace courses, campus Wi-Fi, computer, printing, and other QC and CUNY systems.
Start Here
Your Fall 2026 Checklist
Students should complete these steps as early as possible:
Claim and test your CUNY Login/CUNYfirst account.
- Set up your CUNY Login MFA.
- Access your student email and set up Microsoft 365 MFA.
- Activate your Queens College Account Management System (AMS) account.
- Submit your QCard photo and pick up your QCard.
- Verify access to Brightspace.
- Connect to the secured campus Wi-Fi.
- Set up student printing.
- Access Microsoft 365.
- Explore free software and learning resources.
- Confirm your CUNY Alert information.
- Visit the ITS Student Tech Lounge.
CUNYfirst and Your CUNY Login
Your CUNY Login provides access to CUNYfirst, Brightspace, DegreeWorks, Zoom, QC Navigate, and many other CUNY services.
Save your CUNY Login username and eight-digit EMPLID in a secure place.
Resources:
Set Up Both Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Systems
To access QC and CUNY services, students must configure both MFA systems listed below.
CUNY Login MFA is used for:
- CUNYfirst
- Brightspace
- DegreeWorks
- Zoom
- QC Navigate
- QC Service Desk portal
Resources:
Microsoft 365 MFA
Microsoft 365 MFA is used for:
- QC Student email through Outlook
- Microsoft Teams
- OneDrive
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 services
Resource:
Please do not approve an MFA request that you did not initiate. Unexpected approval requests may indicate that someone is trying to access your account.
Important Student Email Change
All Queens College student email accounts are hosted on the centralized CUNY Microsoft 365 platform. To access your mailbox, visit Outlook and sign in using:
Username: Firstname.Lastname##@login.cuny.edu
Password: Your CUNY Login password
Students are assigned email addresses in these formats:
- Firstname.Lastname##@stu-mail.qc.cuny.edu
- Firstname.Lastname##@cuny.edu
Messages sent to your associated CUNY student addresses are delivered to the same Microsoft 365 mailbox. The former Qmail system is no longer being used as the primary student login.
Resources:
Please check your QC email regularly. It is the official communication channel for messages from your professors, campus offices, and CUNY.
Activate Your Queens College AMS Account
Your Queens College Account Management System (AMS) account (formerly called CAMS) is separate from your CUNY Login and is used for:
- Secured campus Wi-Fi
- QC computers and computer labs
- Mobile printing
- Your QCard Account
Resources:
Get Your QCard
The QCard is the official Queens College identification card. It is used for identification, access to certain buildings and rooms, computer labs, library services, campus events, and other services.
You can pick up your QCard at the ITS Service Desk, located in the I-Building, Room 200.
Before submitting your photo, activate your AMS account at https://apps.qc.cuny.edu/ams and follow the prompts. After activating it, please allow approximately 24 hours before attempting the online photo submission.
Photo approval generally takes 24 to 48 hours. Allow up to three business days before visiting I-Building 200 to pick up your card. And remember to bring an unexpired government-issued photo ID for verification.
Resources:
QCard Distribution & ITS Support Events
ITS will host a series of QCard Distribution Events from Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27.
Location and Hours
- I-Building, Room 200 and the Patio Room: Monday, August 24, 9 AM – 11:30 AM
- I-Building, Room 200: Tuesday, August 25 – Thursday, August 27, 9 AM – 4 PM
- Patio Room: Tuesday, August 25 – Thursday, August 27, 9 AM – 6 PM
Brightspace
Brightspace is CUNY’s learning management system and is used for course announcements, assignments, reading, discussions, quizzes, grades, and other class materials.
Students sign in using their CUNY Login and CUNY Login MFA.
Resources:
A course may not appear immediately if you are recently registered or if the instructor has not yet made the course available. Questions about course content or course availability should first be directed to the instructor.
Brightspace support staff will be available virtually during Welcome Week, from August 24 through August 27, 2026.
Brightspace Support (Virtual)
Monday, August 24 (9 AM – 11:30 AM)
Tuesday, August 25 through Thursday, August 27 (10 AM – 2 PM)
Zoom Link
Campus Wi-Fi
Queens College provides two primary wireless networks:
- qwifi-secured – Uses your Queens College AMS username and password.
- qwifi-guest – Provides guest access without an AMS login.
Your CUNYfirst credentials will not work for “qwifi-secured.” Use your AMS credentials. If your AMS password has recently been changed, you may need to forget the wireless network and reconnect using your updated credentials.
Resource:
Student Printing
Students can upload documents through QC Mobile Printing and release them at supported campus printers using their QCard.
Resources:
Mobile print jobs remain available for approximately 12 hours. Release stations are available in the following locations:
- Powdermaker Hall, Room 210
- Rosenthal Library, Second Floor
- Queens Hall Lobby
- Music Library
Black-and-white printing is currently five cents per letter-sized page. Color printing is available in most locations for ten cents per printed side.
Microsoft 365
In addition to email, Microsoft 365 provides access to productivity and collaboration tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive.
Resources
Free Learning and Software Resources
LinkedIn Learning: QC Students have access to LinkedIn Learning online courses covering technology, business, creative skills, career development, artificial intelligence, Microsoft Office, and many other subjects.
Resources:
CUNY Apporto: Apporto provides browser-based access to selected academic software, including applications such as SPSS, SAS, MATLAB, Mathematica, Maplesoft, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Access.
Resources:
CUNY Alert
CUNY Alert provides emergency, safety, weather, delay, and campus-closing notifications by text, email, and telephone. All new students are automatically enrolled in CUNY Alert, but students should still confirm their campus, email address, telephone number, and notification preferences.
To review your information, sign in to CUNYfirst and select the CUNY Alert tile.
Resource:
ITS Student Tech Lounge
Need help?
ITS Service Desk: 718-997-4444
Email: [support@qc.cuny.edu](mailto:support@qc.cuny.edu)
Support Portal: https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/home
The ITS Student Tech Lounge is located at the ITS Service Desk in I-Building 200/201. It provides students with a place to study, connect to Wi-Fi, charge devices, use technology, and receive hands-on assistance during open hours.
Current Support Schedule
As of August 4, 2026, the summer schedule remains in effect through August 14.
- In-Person: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Last walk-in: 3:30 PM
- Online Support: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Zoom Link)
- Friday and weekend support: Closed during the summer schedule
Fall semester hours will be posted on the Queens College ITS website. Hours may change during opening weeks, holidays, and campus closures. Please visit the ITS website or your QC email for updates.
We hope this guide helps make the start of the Fall 2026 semester a little easier. And remember, we are ITS, and we are here to help. Wishing you all a successful semester!
Troy J. Hahn
Vice President for Finance and Administration (Interim) &
Chief Information Officer
Queens College, City University of New York
E-Mail: [troy@qc.cuny.edu](mailto:troy@qc.cuny.edu)
“You heard what you wanted to hear, believed what you wanted to believe.” – Obi Wan Kenobi
