• I am a new user. How do I log in for the first time?
  

  The first time you begin using CougarTrack you will need to activate your login to get access. To activate your CougarTrack login you will need your seven-digit employee or student identification number. During the activation process, you will set you username and password. You will also set a security question and answer that is used to verify your identity in case you forget your password. After you have completed the sign up process you will be able to immediately access CougarTrack.

• What is a College ID and where do I find it?
  

  Your college ID is the seven-digit number that is on your student or employee ID card. Students can also find this number printed on their admissions letter, grade cards or bills, and faculty and staff can find their number in the upper-left hand corner of their pay stub or direct deposit transaction report.

• Is setting a security question and answer mandatory during the login activation process?
  

  Yes. The security question is used to verify your identity if you forget your password. You will be asked the question you originally entered. If you answer it correctly, you will be allowed to set a new password. For that reason, it is important to not share your security answer with anyone else or they can get access to your email, grades and your other secure information.

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• I’ve forgotten my password. What do I do?
  

  Navigate to the CougarTrack logon page, then click the link Forgot your username or password? on the left menu. Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new password. You will need your college ID number, and then you will be asked the security question and answer that you setup when you first activated your login.

• What do I do if I’ve forgotten my password, but have also forgotten the answer to my security question?
  

  Your security question is used to verify your identity. If you have forgotten both your password and your answer, you need to call our Help Desk at: 875-4357 or (800) 231-2391 ext 4357, or email them at CCHelpDesk@ccis.edu.

• I do not know my College ID number that I need to create a new password in CougarTrack. How may I obtain my college id?
  

  Your college ID is the seven-digit number that is on your student or employee ID card. Students can also find this number printed on their admissions letter, grade cards or bills, and faculty and staff can find their number in the upper-left hand corner of their pay stub or direct deposit transaction report. Due to federal regulations (FERPA), students may obtain their college ID by visiting a local campus with a photo ID or by calling Student Records at 1.800.231.2391 x7526 to arrange mailing of your ID number. Faculty and staff may contact the Technology Solutions Center by calling 1.800.231.2391 x4357.

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• I received an email that says I need to change my password. Why do I have to do that?
  

  For security reasons we ask that all staff and faculty reset their password every 90 days. You need to change your password prior to the expiration date or you will be locked out of CougarMail and CougarTrack. For more information, see the Columbia College Password Policy.

• How do I go about changing my password?
  

  Go to the Change Password page and follow the instructions.

• Can I reuse my previous passwords?
  

  New passwords must differ from the last three passwords created and used.

• Are there any characters that I cannot use when creating a password?
  

  Passwords should contain letters and numbers only.

• Do you have any tips on creating a good password?
  

  Create a password that is meaningful and easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. It should be a minimum of eight characters.

  • Choose characters from these two categories:
    • Alphanumerical letters (a-z, or A-Z) Passwords are cAse sensitive
    • Numbers (0-9)
  • Do not use a dictionary word (in any language) or proper name. These are easy for hackers to decipher.
  • Do not use repetitive series like “abc123”.
  • Create passwords that cannot be guessed from any personal information (such as your name, address, SSN, phone number, birth date, etc…) Password example: Choose a phrase and use the guidelines above to make it into a password. The movie title “Raiders of the Lost Ark” can become: R8rsL5tRk (Note: Do not use this example as your password!)
  • Memorize your passwords. Passwords should never be written down.
  • Protect your passwords from others. Never share your passwords with anyone else.

  If others have access to your CougarTrack password they can read your email, forge emails from you, see your grades, obtain your transcript and access your other confidential information.

  For more information, see the Columbia College Password Policy.

• Are passwords case sensitive?
  

  Yes. If your password is DIO_3388 then dio_3388 will not work.

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• How do I create my username?
  

  Your username is created for you when you first activate your login. It is a one-time process. See above for more information about activating your login.

• I’ve forgotten my username – how do I recover it?
  

  If you forget your login you need to go to the password and username recovery form page. You will need your college ID number (defined above) and then you will be asked the security question and answer that you had set when you first activated your login. Once you have completed the process you will be shown your username and you will be asked to create a new password.

• May I change my username?
  

  Usernames are created based on legal first and last name entered in the administrative software system at Columbia College. After officially changing your name with Columbia College your username will update to reflect the new information.

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• What is CougarTrack?
  

  CougarTrack is portal to all network services, and a link to it is located at the top of every page throughout the Columbia College website. With its integrated login management, CougarTrack allows you to access your college email (CougarMail), calendar, CougarLink, WebAdvisor, D2L (if an Online Campus student or instructor) and many other network resources. You have the opportunity to choose your password when you activate your CougarTrack login. To increase the security of the computer network, the password policy requiring certain formatting and periodic changing of passwords is currently being implemented.

  Students can

  • Access their academic transcript
  • View their grades and GPA
  • Print their grades
  • Search for courses and check availability
  • View their class schedule
  • Verify the status of their transcript request
  • Access student ePayment account
  • View award letter
  • Make gifts to the college
  • View housing information
  • And much more!

  Faculty can:

  • Enter grades
  • Enter student attendance
  • View their class rosters
  • View their advisees

  For more information, please contact Columbia College’s Help Desk at 1.800.231.2391 ext 4357

• Who qualifies for access to CougarTrack?
  • Students
  • Applications (Prospective students who have applied to the college)
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Administrators
  • Alumni
• What do I need to do to start using CougarTrack?
  

  You will need to activate your login to get access. It is a one-time process. After that, you will be able to log in with the username and password that you will have created in the login activation form. For more details about the activation process, see the new user information above.

• When will I no longer be allowed to access CougarTrack?
  

  Students and alumni of Columbia College will have a lifetime account to CougarMail and CougarTrack. This includes all students and alumni from the home campus, extended campuses, and Online Campus students. You do not have to finish school at the college in order to retain access. Even if you only take one class, you will be allowed to continue use of CougarTrack and CougarMail.

  Faculty and staff CougarTrack accounts are accessible until the end of employment with the college.

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