Jump to content

New and Existing Staff

From Swarthmore Knowledge Base

Swarthmore Account

All employees of Swarthmore College are provided an employee ID and username after their employment requirements are completed by Human Resources (staff) or the Provost's Office (faculty). Most staff will receive their account information during new employee orientation, otherwise your hiring manager will contact you with instructions.

If you are an employee and have not received your account username, notify Human Resources for staff (610-328-8397) or the Provost's Office for faculty (610-328-8319).

Account Usage

Your username and password can be used to access most campus digital services, such as:

  • The campus network (Wi-Fi)
  • Google Workspace, including Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets
  • mySwarthmore
  • Banner administrative software
  • Moodle, Swarthmore's learning management system

For guidelines on responsible conduct while using Swarthmore accounts and services, please review our Acceptable Use Policy for Swarthmore College computer systems and networks.

Setting Your First Password

  1. Visit password.swarthmore.edu and click the Claim Your Identity link at the bottom of the login screen.
  2. You will see a Welcome screen, click Next.
  3. Enter the username and employee or student ID number provided to you by the college. Click Submit.
  4. You will be asked to review and agree to the Swarthmore College Acceptable Use Policy. A link will be provided for review. Once done, check the box to agree to the terms and click Next.
  5. Enter at least one recovery option, but both are recommended. After you enter the option(s), click Update. The options include:
    1. A non-Swarthmore email address
    2. A non-Swarthmore mobile phone number
  6. Set up your Duo 2-factor authentication device registration. You will be walked through the Duo set up process depending on the device type you chose.
    1. You will need to install the Duo Mobile app to complete device registration. Contact the Help Desk if you are not able to install the Duo Mobile app.
  7. You will be asked to enter a password. When you click into the text field, the requirements for setting a password at Swarthmore will show as a dropdown window below the text field. As you fulfill the requirements, they will automatically be checked on the list. Once you have a password that passes the checklist, re-enter it in the field below to confirm it. Click Next.
    1. At any time you can click on the eye icon on the right-hand side of the text fields to see the password.
    2. View our page on tips for creating strong passwords.
  8. You will see a confirmation screen that you have completed the process to claim your account. Click Complete.

Duo Two-Factor Authentication

Swarthmore uses Duo two-factor authentication to help you keep your Swarthmore account secure. This kind of authentication requires something you know (like your account username and password) coupled with something you have (a device registered with the service such as your cell phone). Requiring interaction with a device you have with you ensures that only you are able to access your account, even if your password were to be compromised. For more information about Duo please visit Getting Started With Duo. You will be prompted to register your duo device during Swarthmore account setup, when you Claim Your Identity.

It is highly recommended that you register more than one device with Duo to make sure you never have an issue logging into your account. 

Requesting Computers, Equipment, and Services

Discuss with your supervisor what computer, peripheral equipment, and access to services you may need. Some of these can be set up during your account creation, your supervisor may be able to grant you access to some services, and some requests may need department approval. Departments can request equipment and services for new staff through our support portal (support.swarthmore.edu). The Service Catalog requires login with a Swarthmore account.

Some common things departments request for new staff on our support portal include:

For additional resources on purchasing a computer, you can check out our guide on Buying a computer.

Once services are set up for you, such as office phones, you will receive notifications at your Swarthmore email address. Please make sure you check there for updates and further instructions. If you requested physical equipment, we will coordinate how to get that equipment to you through the request process.

If you need assistive technology or equipment, please review the Human Resources page for Faculty and Staff Disability Resources.

Swarthmore Virtual Private Network (VPN)

When you're working online remotely, use SwatVPN (VPN = virtual private network). The VPN client software for SwatVPN is called Cisco AnyConnect. Not only does VPN secure the network communication between your computer and the College, but it also provides you access to resources only available from on-campus and the same level of network protection that you have while on campus. Note that if you don't "control" or own the network you're on (e.g. public WiFi), you should absolutely use VPN for any college-related activities. By the way, VPN isn't just for Macs and PCs, you can also install it on Chromebooks as well as iOS and Android devices.

How to Install the Swarthmore VPN

On a computer:

  1. Open a web browser
  2. Go to https://swatvpn2.swarthmore.edu/ShibSSO
  3. Log in using your Swarthmore user name and password
  4. Wait while it checks for Java (may take a minute or so)
  5. If Java detection fails, you will be directed to download and install VPN
  6. Click the AnyConnect VPN link to download and save the file to your computer
  7. Go to the installer that downloaded to your computer, and double-click on it to install

On a mobile device:

Connecting to the Swarthmore VPN

  1. Search for and launch the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
  2. In the blank text field enter the server name “swatvpn2.swarthmore.edu/ShibSSO” then click Connect.
    1. This connection may already be listed as SwatVPN Login in the connection dropdown. Access the dropdown by clicking the arrow on the right-hand side of the text field.
  3. A new window will open with the Swarthmore login page. Enter your Swarthmore credentials and click Login.
  4. The DUO prompt will then appear in the window. If you have logged in and verified with DUO recently, this page may skip past the prompt. If not, verify with your DUO method to continue.
  5. You are now connected to VPN! The next time you open Cisco AnyConnect this connection should already be listed in the text field for you.n Cisco AnyConnect this connection should already be listed in the text field for you.

Connect to the Swarthmore Wi-Fi (eduroam)

You can connect to the campus Wi-Fi, eduroam, using the steps below.

  1. Connect to the eduroam Wi-Fi network.
  2. For username, enter your full email address (e.g. jdoe1@yourinstitution.edu).
  3. Enter your home institution password.
  4. For Android devices and Chromebooks: follow these configuration instructions.
  5. Accept/trust the security certificate if prompted, and follow any instructions to launch the registration webpage (see Register your Computer below).
    1. You can review the certificate and verify that it is the correct one by comparing with the following fingerprints (not case sensitive), as of December 2025:
      1. SHA1 fingerprint: D8 5B 86 04 B0 B0 9B 1E 60 0B F0 FA 70 13 E5 7A A7 E0 2F 6C or
      2. SHA256 fingerprint: 8E 3D A8 37 D5 32 9B 09 48 43 AA 94 8C BA A9 A4 FF C8 73 AF 7B 7C D9 4F 16 EC 51 35 7F E0 C4 15

Information Security

Keeping your account and data secure is very important. Using Duo, the Swarthmore VPN, and having up-to-date anti-virus protection are only a few things you can do to keep your data safe. Please check our page on how to work and learn safely while remote. Please also check out our tips for better Wi-Fi.

Zoom

Zoom video conferencing is available for all staff. You will use this service to provide virtual class access and attend meetings. You can access Zoom via the web at swarthmore.zoom.us or download the desktop or mobile applications. For more information on Zoom, please visit our Zoom Video Conferencing page.

Software

The most commonly used software should already be loaded onto any college-issued computers you may receive. Additional software can be browsed and downloaded from our software page.

Contact the Help Desk

Below is a list of all of the ways you can contact ITS or find information:

Retrieved from "https://kb.swarthmore.edu/index.php?title=New_and_Existing_Staff&oldid=3394"