Catalyst Leads Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Catalyst Lead?

Catalyst Leads can help users reset UWNetID passwords. Each school has identified one person to be the Catalyst Lead. This person has a special account that allows them to perform password resets.

Catalyst Leads are often also the local expert on the Catalyst Tool suite.

How can Catalyst Leads get help?

If you have a problem with UWNetID accounts, or anything in the UWNetID system, please call 1-800-246-8050 or email help@cac.washington.edu.

Please note the Catalyst Lead is the only person at your school that can use the number listed above. If anyone else in your school has an issue, they need to contact you and work out the issue through you.

What if I have a question about Catalyst?

Email catalysthelp@u.washington.edu for any questions or comments about the Catalyst tools, including the Portfolio tool. Anyone can contact Catalyst Help.

What is a SecurID?

A SecurID is a little plastic card that displays a rotating six-digit number. The number changes every minute or so.

In order to access the support site, you'll need to enter your account username and password, plus the six-digit number. The number is synced to the server, and this ensures the person logging in truly is you, and not someone who has stolen your password!

Hint: The little bars on the left count down the time until the number changes. If you're almost out of bars, you might want to wait a few seconds until the new number comes up before punching it in.

I've lost my SecurID! Help!

Contact Karl Nelson (karln@learningcommons.org) and we'll get you a replacement. Do try not to lose too many, as they are expensive.

What is a PAC?

A PAC--Private Access Code--is a one-time password that allows a user to reset their password. They don't need to remember this once the password has been set.

Do you have any tools available to help users without having them come see me for a reset?

Retrieving Usernames

We realize that the UWNetIDs (dlc + some numbers) are a tad hard to remember. In case your users forgot their ID, it can be emailed back to them on this page: http://www.learningcommons.org/auth/uwnetid/email_my_account

Note: This only works if they use the same email account they entered when the set the account up. Plus, they will have had to type it correctly both times.

Secret Questions

The infamous "Secret Questions" can be used to reset passwords.

When the user created his or her account, they entered answers to three "Secret Questions." They can answer these questions and reset their passwords here: https://uwnetid.washington.edu/renew/

If they haven't set up the Secret Questions, or they'd like to change them, they can visit: https://uwnetid.washington.edu/manage/ (The user will need to log into their account to do this, so this does not work if they've forgotten their password!)