Request Contractor Access to VPN

Use this request to

Request VPN access for a contractor, research associate, vendor, or other guest who has a Bowdoin username and password and needs to reach campus-only resources from off campus.

When to Use This

Use this offering when:

  • A contractor needs off-campus access to a campus system to do their work
  • A research associate needs to reach the HPC environment or network files remotely
  • A vendor needs temporary remote access for a defined project

When NOT to Use This

Don't use this offering if:

  • The person is a current faculty, staff, or student member — they already have VPN access automatically
  • The visitor only needs Wi-Fi while on campus — use Request Guest Wi-Fi Access under Campus Wi-Fi
  • You're reporting a connection problem — use Report a VPN Problem

Before You Submit

Have ready:

  • The name and Bowdoin account (or email) of the person needing access
  • Their role and sponsoring department or supervisor
  • The specific resources they need to reach
  • The date range access is needed
Approval required. Contractor and guest VPN access requires approval from a supervisor or faculty sponsor before it can be granted.

What Happens Next

IT reviews the request and confirms the required approval before granting access, typically within 1–2 business days. You'll be notified when access is in place.