Student MFA: Faculty Quick Reference Guide
Faculty Quick Reference Guide - Student MFA Support
Overview
Starting August 25, 2025, students will set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as part of their normal first-login process. This is the same security system you use as staff - just applied to student accounts to protect their academic records and personal information.
What Faculty Need to Know
The Student Experience
New students: MFA setup happens automatically during their first login (same time as password reset)
Returning students: Will see MFA setup prompt when they next log in after August 25th
Process is identical to staff MFA: Same options, same Microsoft interface you already know
Common Student Questions & Your Responses
Student Says | Your Response | When to Refer to IT |
|---|---|---|
"I can't log in anymore" | "Did you get a prompt asking for a security code? This is the same system staff use - let me walk you through it." | If student can't complete setup after guidance |
"Why do I need this?" | "It's the same security protection staff use to keep college information safe. It protects your grades, transcripts, and personal data." | No referral needed |
"I don't have a phone" | "That's fine - you can get a hardware token from the bookstore and use that instead of a phone." | Refer immediately |
"I set it up but lost my phone" | "Contact IT Support - they can help you set up a new device or get you a backup option." | Refer immediately |
"It keeps asking for codes" | "That means it's working! You might need to enter codes more often if you're using different devices or locations." | If student thinks something is broken |
Quick Help You Can Provide
If a student is stuck during MFA setup:
Confirm they're in the right place: Should see Microsoft security setup screen (looks like staff MFA setup)
Guide them to the easier option: Text messages are usually simpler than app setup
Remind them it's one-time: Once set up, they only need codes occasionally
Normalize the experience: "This is the same thing all staff do - you'll get used to it quickly"
Your MFA Experience = Student MFA Experience
Remember: Students are getting exactly the same MFA system you use as staff. If you can point them to the same Knowledge Base articles you used, or describe your own setup experience, that often helps tremendously.
Staff MFA Resources (also applicable to students):
Contact Information
IT Support for Student MFA Issues:
create a ticket
find us on campus
give us a phone call at 1-844-304-6500
join the Zoom helpdesk
FAQ for Faculty
Q: Will this affect students logging into classroom computers? A: No, MFA is only required for off-campus access and certain applications. Lab computers on campus won't prompt for MFA. The only exception will be Mac computer labs (Music & Digital Arts). These speciality labs will require MFA when logging in.
Q: What if a student's phone dies during class? A: They can still access on-campus resources. For off-campus access later, they can use backup methods or contact IT.
Q: Should I try to help students set up MFA? A: Basic guidance is fine (choosing SMS, normalizing the process), but refer technical issues to IT. Don't attempt to troubleshoot authentication failures.
Q: Will international students have issues? A: SMS works internationally, and the authenticator app works anywhere. If students have concerns about international rates, they can get a hardware token instead.