FAQ
What ID and password do students use to login?
Your BLS Vista User Name is "UMS" plus your Student ID ex. UMS1234567890 and your initial password is boston, all lower case.
Once you log-in, you will be prompted to change your password. Make sure you fill out the secret question category--this will allow you to retrieve your password via email if you forget it.
All students who are registered in online only courses or web enhanced courses will receive an email notification in their UMB Student Email account. All students at UMass have such an account. If you haven't accessed this account yet, please go to UMass Student Email to find more information. You can also have all mailed forward from your UMass Boston email to another email account.
Does BLS Vista work in all labs on campus?
All the Windows PC labs on campus support BLS Vista. Some of the labs which have Mac OS 8 computers do not support BLS Vista, however the new Mac OS 10 and above is supported.
Check with the consultant on-duty if the computer you are using supports BLS Vista or not. For a listing of labs, visit the UMass Boston Computer Labs page.
Can I connect to my BLS Vista course from home?
If you have a computer and an internet connection at home, you can access your BLS Vista course. After logging info your account, click on the Browser Check link in the upper right corner of your My UMassonline page to be sure you are using a supported browser and that it is set up correctly.
Can I connect to Library databases from home?
Students enrolled in a UMass Boston online course are eligible to receive a barcode for access to Healey Library resources located at http://www.lib.umb.edu. UMB library is a rich and valuable academic online resource which will allow you to do most of your research work off-campus. To access most of the resources you will need your barcode number found on the reverse of your student id card.
If you don't have a student ID card or are unable to read the bar code number you can send an e-mail request to: library.circulation@umb.edu. Your request should include your first and last name, student ID number, course name and class number and semester. You will receive the address of the library web site. Barcode access terminates at the end of the semester. (Note: This service is available Monday - Friday 9 - 5 PM)