Incoming new students may have limited access to certain Okta applications until account permissions are updated in July — a normal part of the Bowdoin onboarding process. This article explains what to expect, what requires no action, and when to contact the Service Desk.
How to add Touch ID, Face ID, or Windows Hello as a biometric authentication factor in Okta for faster and more secure sign-in to Bowdoin services. Covers device setup, Okta configuration, and using the biometric factor in a web browser.
Bowdoin's password requirements plus strategies for creating strong, memorable passwords — including passphrases, password managers, and common patterns to avoid. Applies to all students, faculty, staff, and emeritus accounts.
Explains how to reset or change your Bowdoin account password through the Okta portal, covering three scenarios: changing a known password, resetting a forgotten password using self-service recovery options, and requesting an assisted reset through the Service Desk.
How to regain access to your Bowdoin account after getting a new phone when you no longer have access to your old device and cannot complete Okta Verify multi-factor authentication. Covers contacting IT to reset your Okta factor and re-enrolling Okta Verify on the new device.
Explains how to set up Okta Verify on a new or replacement phone after already having a Bowdoin account. Covers self-service options when another sign-in factor is available, Bluetooth transfer between devices, and how to get assisted re-enrollment from the Service Desk when no other factors are set up. Applies to iOS and Android devices.
Instructions for adding Okta Verify to an additional device — including a Bowdoin-issued iPad or a macOS or Windows laptop — so you have a backup option for completing Bowdoin's multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirement when signing in to Bowdoin services.
Steps to immediately secure a Microsoft 365 or Okta account when a device is lost, stolen, or compromised — including changing your password and remotely ending all active sessions on both platforms.
Troubleshooting steps for Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff who are signed in to their Bowdoin account but still cannot access specific web pages or services — covering permissions, browser issues, cached credentials, and account status.