Campus resources FAQs

Free parking is available in designated areas behind Building 23 and along Akron Road (green zones only).

EV charging is not available on campus. Do not use outdoor electrical outlets to charge personal vehicles.

Yes. Guests are welcome with prior approval, as CMU-SV is a closed campus. To request access, email facilities@sv.cmu.edu at least 3 days before the visit with your guest’s full name and the date and time they plan to arrive. Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Your guest may need to show this at the NASA gate. Be sure to review the visitor guidelines and required documentation on our website.Check our website for required documents.

If you're stopped at the Moffett Field or Ellis gate entrance, try the following:

• Show proof of student status. Present your CMU-SV enrollment confirmation email to help explain why you’re entering campus.
• Call for support.
  • Julie Kailath, Associate Director of Student Services: (650) 335-2846
    • Stacy Marshall, Facilities Manager: (650) 335-2852
• Contact NASA Protective Services at their non-emergency line: (650) 604-5416. Let them know you're a CMU-SV student and explain the situation (for example, if you’ve lost your ID).

Still have questions? Email student-services@sv.cmu.edu. We’re here to help.

Lost or Stolen ID Cards
Complete the CMU ID Request Form and email it to idplus@andrew.cmu.edu with a cc to student-services@sv.cmu.edu. In your email, ask them to mail your new ID to the CMU Silicon Valley campus.

• Lost cards have a $30 non-refundable replacement fee.
• Stolen cards can be replaced for free if you include a police report or CMU incident report verifying the theft when sending in your CMU ID Request Form.

Student Services will contact you when your new ID arrives and let you know where to pick it up.

NASA security is aware that new students receive their CMU IDs during orientation or the first week of classes, so there is some flexibility during that time. Once you receive your CMU ID, you’ll need to show it every time you enter the gate.

A few important reminders:

• Before arrival: Review the onboarding instructions in your Canvas course.
• Driving? Bring a valid driver’s license to show at the gate.
• Access begins on your orientation date. You won’t be able to enter campus before then.
• Your CMU ID becomes your keycard for campus buildings after orientation.

If you run into issues, call NASA Dispatch at (650) 604-5416 and explain that you’re a new CMU-SV student.

Questions before you arrive? Email student-services@sv.cmu.edu.

CMU-SV can be accessed:

• Summer Semester Hours: Doors are unlocked Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Regular Hours: Doors are unlocked Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Weekends & Holidays: Doors remain locked; you’ll need your CMU ID card to swipe in.

Important: Your CMU ID card is required to access campus buildings outside of unlocked hours. Campus business hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Locked Out?
First, try asking a nearby student, faculty, or staff member for help.
If no one is around, follow the steps outlined on our Facilities & Campus Policies page.

Smoking is only allowed in the designated outdoor area behind Building 23 on the east side near the parking lot. Follow all posted signs. Dispose of cigarette butts in provided ashtrays, not on the ground.

Use Google Calendar with your Andrew account to reserve a room. Some rooms require approval; if so, you'll get a confirmation email. For recurring meetings or special setups, email facilities@sv.cmu.edu.

To help keep things fair and accessible, here are the key policies when using a room:

• Rooms are for groups of 3 or more. (Individual use requires advance approval, like for an interview.)
• Reserve up to 2 weeks in advance. For longer or recurring meetings, email facilities@sv.cmu.edu.
• Reservations are limited to 2 hours max. Include any setup or testing time.
• Use a clear, descriptive title in your calendar invite and invite all attendees.
• Arrive on time. If you're more than 10 minutes late, others may use the space.

Help keep our spaces welcoming for everyone:

• Do not occupy a room you haven't reserved.
• Don’t leave personal items to "hold" a space.
• Clean up after yourself — toss trash, wipe surfaces, and return furniture to its original layout.
• Be courteous to whoever’s using the space next.

These first-come, first-served spaces are great for individual or small-group use.

• Open spaces: Room 129 and CMIL
• Outdoor patios: Ideal for quick chats or small study groups
• Quiet study areas: Located:
  • On the 2nd floor near the elevator
  • In hallways near classrooms 109/110, 211, and 118

Please keep the noise low, especially near classrooms.

Our dedicated support teams are here to help:​

• General IT support: For issues related to email, printing, or other IT services, contact help@sv.cmu.edu.
• Audio/visual services: For AV equipment or classroom tech support, reach out to av@sv.cmu.edu.
• Facilities: To report building issues or request maintenance, email facilities@sv.cmu.edu.
• Main campus services: For assistance with services like The HUB or Student Information Online (SIO), contact it-help@cmu.edu.
• General inquiries: For non-technical questions, please contact your home department.

CMU-SECURE is the preferred wireless network for CMU students, faculty, and staff. It’s fast, secure, and works across a wide range of devices—laptops, phones, tablets, and more.

Most students will use CMU-SECURE whether they're in Pittsburgh or on the Silicon Valley campus. If you've already set it up elsewhere, you may not need to do anything new.

Setup instructions:

1. Go to the CMU wireless setup page.
2. Select your device for step-by-step instructions.
3. Still having issues? Try these CMU network troubleshooting steps.

Visitors can connect via CMU-GUEST, using an access code provided by a sponsoring faculty or staff member.

Note on usage:
CMU-SV follows the university’s airspace guidelines, which apply to all users of the wireless network.

Effective Fall 2022, all students use their standard CMU @andrew.cmu.edu account for university communications and resources. However, you will still see the @sv.cmu.edu or the @west.cmu.edu domain used by staff and some automated campus systems. This domain is specific to the Silicon Valley campus and helps identify communications coming from our local team. Regardless of the domain, if it’s coming from a CMU address, it’s official.

You can create an email alias to make your address easier to remember or share. It’s especially helpful if your Andrew ID isn’t easily recognizable.

Example:
If your email is acunning@andrew.cmu.edu, you could create an alias like andycunningham@cmu.edu.

Good to know:

• Your alias will always end in @cmu.edu — not @andrew.cmu.edu.
• All email sent to your alias will still land in your same inbox.
• Your alias won’t change how your name appears in the CMU directory or how you log into CMU systems.
• You’ll still use your Andrew ID to log in everywhere.
• Once you set up an alias, you won’t be able to change it, so be sure to select something you’ll be okay with for the entirety of your time at CMU.

Create an Email Alias:

1. Visit emailtools.cmu.edu
2. Log in with your Andrew ID and password
3. Click Manage Email Addresses
   
4. Select Create an email alias, enter your preferred alias, and click Next
5. Add the alias to your CMU Google account if needed

Your CMU Google Calendar helps you stay organized, manage your schedule, and connect with others. You can:

• Schedule meetings and invite others
• Reserve rooms (if room calendars are available to your account)
• Add team or shared event calendars

To manage your calendars:

• Use “Add a coworker’s calendar” or go to the Other calendars dropdown to add others by email
• Click the gear icon (⚙️) > Settings > Calendars to view and adjust calendar settings
• From there, you can
  • Hide calendars
  • Change notifications or reminders
  • Unsubscribe from calendars

Need help? Visit the Google Calendar Help Center.

There’s a lot happening at CMU-SV—career workshops, community events, student org meetups, and more. The CMU-SV Student Events & Activities calendar is your go-to source.

It includes events from:

• Student Affairs
• Career Services
• Academic departments
• Open student hours with staff

Be sure to subscribe during onboarding. You can also copy individual events to your personal calendar to stay organized and make the most of your time here.

Visit the campus resources page for more information on technology services, including room reservations and equipment loans.

These fees are required and cannot be waived. The technology and transportation fees apply to all CMU-SV students. The student activities fee is mandatory for students enrolled in 19 or more units.

These are handled by the University Registrar, not individual departments or at the campus level. You can request one by following the steps listed on this CMU verification page.

If you witness or experience something that raises ethical concerns, you can report it through the Carnegie Mellon University Ethics Reporting Hotline:

• Toll-Free Phone: 1-844-587-0793
• Online: cmu.ethicspoint.com

Reports can be submitted anonymously if you choose.

Visit our online Information Center for departmental points of contact and CMU-SV and departmental directories.

Course catalogues can be found on our website.

Here’s where to go for additional policies, including academic and university-wide policies.

• All CMU-SV Campus Policies
  Facilities & campus policies
• Academic and Community Policies (University-wide)
  The Word: Student Handbook: This includes academic integrity, community standards, and more.
• General University Policies
  University-wide policy directory