Porches FAQ

The Porches FAQ page will help you find solutions to common questions associated with the portal.

• Banner Self Service
• Calendar
• Email
• Groups
• Porches

Banner Self Service

What is "Banner Self-Service"?
Banner Self-Service is the name given to tools originating from our Banner Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.  These include resources for course registration, finance, human resources, and financial aid.

Who can request access to Banner Self-Service Tools?
Faculty, staff and student workers in selected positions

How do I request access to a Banner tool?
With your supervisor, complete and submit the Confidentiality Agreement Form (PDF)

Calendar

What is UD Calendar?
Your UD Calendar in Porches is your Google Apps calendar provided by the university.  If you forward your UD Google Apps account to another email account this channel may be empty.

Is there a master campus calendar of events?
Yes.  A campus Calendar channel is located in the UD Daily tab.

How do I submit events I want to announce to campus?
Go to the Calendar channel, located within the UD Daily Tab.  Click on the View Full Calendar link then click on the Submit an Event link.  Follow the instructions for submitting an event.

What is the difference between the master campus calendar and the UD Calendar?
The master calendar contains events taking place on campus that are open to the campus community.  The UD Calendar is your events, meetings and to do list from your Google Apps account.

Email

What is UD Mail?
Your UD Mail in Porches is your Google Apps mail account provided by the university.  If you forward your UD mail to another account this channel will be empty.

Groups

How do I request a Group?

1. Log in to Porches.
2. Click the “Groups” icon in the top right-hand of your Porches screen.
3. On the “My Groups” page, click the Request Group tab.
4. Complete the form (ignore the“browser control” section) and click the “Submit Request” button.

You will see a message in “Personal Announcements” on the Front Porch tab when your Group has been created and is available for use.

How much information can be stored within a Porches Group?
Groups have a maximum storage capacity of 1 GB.

Porches

What is Porches?
Porches is the University of Dayton’s new web portal (or “intranet”).   It is an evolving digital gathering place designed to provide tailored tools and communications that meet the personal, education and business needs of students, staff and faculty at the University of Dayton.

Who has access to Porches?
All registered students, faculty and staff have access to course information, group tools, class and job tools, calendars, news, email, and more…anytime, anywhere.

What is my Porches username and password?
Porches requires your Novell/LDAP username and password for authentication.

What is single-sign-on?
Single sign-on is the process of logging in once with a username and password to access multiple applications.  For example, by logging into Porches with your LDAP username and password, you are also authenticated to applications such as Isidore, UD Mail and UD Calendar.

Will Porches time me out if I'm not actively using the portal?
Your Porches session will expire after 2 hours of inactivity.

Do faculty, staff and students all see the same information in Porches?

The Front Porch and Life @ UD tabs are the same for all users.   Some content is delivered through Porches based on a user’s “role” (e.g. student, faculty or staff). Currently students see a “student” tab with additional tools for their academic success at UD.

Can alumni use Porches?

Not currently. However recent graduates may have access to Porches for up to six months after graduation.  Alumni can access information at:

http://www.udayton.edu/main/alumni.php

Can retirees use Porches?

Retirees with an active LDAP/Novel log-in have access to a limited set of tabs and channels.

How can I customize Porches to make content more meaningful to me?

Personalize Porches by adding and arranging channels and bookmarks that meet your business and personal needs. 

Find directions in:  Customizing My Tab (PDF)

Please note: some channels are “locked” and cannot be removed.

Can I import bookmarks into Porches?

No, but you can add bookmarks individually to the Porches bookmark channel on “My Tab” so they will be available through Porches from any computer.

Why doesn't the personal bookmark I just added to the My Tab work?

Check the link address.  URLs in Porches require the http:// prefix. If you omitted the prefix from the link, delete the bookmark, then add it again using the full URL address.

How can I get back to the original (or “default”) look of Porches?

From within Porches, select the “Layout” icon in the top middle of the screen and click the “revert to default layout” link.

How can I access My Files from Porches?

Go to the Links section (located in the green banner) and click on the Campus Resources folder.  My Files is located in this folder. 

How can I get training on Porches?

On-line documentation, training movies and registration information for instructor-led training sessions can be found at:

community.udayton.edu/provost/it/training/porches.php

Training movies are also posted on YouTube:

University of Dayton Porches Playlist

How is Porches organized?

Porches is  owned by the UD community and technically managed by UDit. Banner Steering Committee comprising members from Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services, Finance, Human Resources and Student Affairs. Tom Skill, Chief Information Officer is charged with overseeing implementation plans to ensure the Banner project meets its objectives.

How will I know when new channels are added?

New channels are added to Porches regularly.  Preview new channels on the “Channel Showcase” tab.

Who do I contact if I have a great idea for a new channel?

Click the “Porches Feedback” link in the “Feedback” channel at the bottom of the green banner.

Is Porches secure? it does not appear to be using SSL (secure socket layer).

SSL is in effect, but runs in the background. It is invoked when needed, such as logging in to Porches, accessing your Banner information, and external sites.

What browsers are best for viewing Porches?

FireFox, Internet Explorer and Safari - if something does not work in one browser try another before seeking help.

What do I do if I get a “security certificate” message?

Click “yes” to continue.

How do I make comments or suggestions about Porches?

Click the “Porches Feedback” link in the “Feedback” channel at the bottom of the green banner.