New Faculty/Staff

Getting Started with Technology is Easy at Southern Miss!

Follow these simple steps to gain access to the technology you need to work confidently and efficiently.

Step 1. Find out your EmplID from your department’s HR contact.
Step 2. Activate your usm.edu email address.
Step 3. Establish your security questions through SOAR.
Step 4. Review the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy.

Step 1 All faculty and staff are assigned a Universal Employee ID (EmplID) by Human Resources (HR) when their records are created in the HR system. This EmplID is the key to accessing most Southern Miss technology systems. Your departmental HR contact will be able to find out if the Personnel Action Form (PAF) has been completed and forwarded to HR for processing.

Step 2 Contact the Help Desk once the EmplID has been identified to activate your usm.edu address. The Help Desk can be reached at 6-HELP or 64357.

Step 3 SOAR (Southern’s Online Accessible Records) allows a user to reset their own password using self-service hint information. If you forget your password, or if your account is locked after too many failed login attempts, you can reset your password and unlock your account without having to contact the Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk to collect your initial SOAR password. Click here to login to SOAR and start establishing your security information. If you need further instructions, review Self Service Password Reset.

Step 4 Review the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy