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About BearNet, the Shawnee State University Campus Housing Wi-Fi Network

Shawnee State University contracts Spectrum Community Wi-Fi to provide internet connectivity to all campus housing units.

The Wi-Fi network in your campus housing apartment is called BearNet. The BearNet campus housing Wi-Fi network is separate from the rest of the campus network and is only available to student housing residents.

How to Access BearNet

To connect your personal devices to the BearNet campus housing Wi-Fi network you need your personal Spectrum Community Account information. This information arrives by email to your @MyMail.shawnee.edu email address a few days before your scheduled housing move in date. The Subject of the email is “BearNet Housing WiFi Information”. This email looks like the example below and contains all the information you will need to access the BearNet Wi-Fi network.

Please Note you will ONLY use the login information in this email for the Campus Housing BearNet Wi-Fi network.

screenshot of example email

BearNet Support

To get help:

If you need assistance with the BearNet Campus Housing Wi-Fi, you should call Spectrum Community Wi-Fi directly.

For 24 hour a day, 7 day a week Spectrum Community Wi-Fi Technical Support:

Call 1-855-895-5302

There should be a Spectrum Community Wi-Fi magnet with the phone number on your apartment refrigerator for easy reference!

Spectrum Community Wi-Fi FAQS

Q: How do I sign in to my WiFi network?

A: First, turn on your device’s WiFi and select your Unit SSID (above) in the list of available networks.  Please enter the passphrase provided.  Once connected, open your browser and attempt to go to any website.  You will be redirected to a website where you will be asked for your username and password credentials.

(Note: depending on your browser settings you may see a security alert when being redirected – please click “continue to website.”)  Follow the screen prompts to get your device authenticated. 

Q: What if I can’t connect to WiFi?

A:  First, make sure WiFi on your device is turned on.  Next, make sure you select the your Unit SSID (above) in the list of available networks.

If you don’t see this network, you might be too far away from the signal source.  If you have only one or two bars, you may also need to move closer to the signal source.

Q: Can I use a VPN on my WiFi?

A: Spectrum Community Solutions does not provide a VPN option but if you have a VPN from your school or company, the WiFi will accommodate it.

Q: What if I forget my username or password or need other help with my WiFi?

A: Contact IT Services in the library for username or password, or call Customer Support at (855) 895-5302 anytime, day or night.  If you are calling Customer Support for assistance, please have the MAC address for your device ready.  If you do not know how to retrieve your MAC address, Customer Support will walk you through this process.

Q: Can I access other devices on my network?

A: Yes.  All devices connected to your secure WiFi network can “see” each other and share files through your home network (You can have up to 10 active devices in your network.) To connect these devices, sign in to Spectrum Community Solutions WiFi from your computer, go to charter.guestinternet.com, enter your username and password credentials and choose your location.  Then add the device to the list of authorized devices and connect the device to your WiFi network

Q: What if my device doesn’t support the WiFi network?

A: Some devices, like gaming systems and printers, may not have Internet browsers or support security features used by Spectrum Community Solutions WiFi. To connect these devices, sign in to WiFi from your computer (go to charter.guestinternet.com), and then add the device to the list of authorized devices.   You will require the MAC address of the device.  Then connect the device to your WiFi network

Q: Is the WiFi network secure?

A: Yes.  When you sign into your Unit SSID (above) only devices you register with your credentials will be authenticated and authorized to use the network.  Devices in your personal group will be able to communicate with each other, but no other user on the network will be able to “see” your devices. 

Q: Is there a certain version of WiFi that my devices must use?

A: The WiFi equipment installed in your unit utilizes the 802.11a/b/g/n on both the 2.4Ghz and 5GHz bands.  While your devices will connect and run regardless of what version of WiFi they use, the fastest speeds will be obtained with those devices that also have 802.11n capability.

Modifying or tampering with the WiFi equipment or installing personal WiFi access points is prohibited as it can interfere with the availability of WiFi in your unit and can result in the loss of WiFi service to you and other residents in your unit. Call (855) 895-5302 with any issues concerning the WiFi equipment.

Important Notice to Students on
File Sharing Statement and Copyright Infringement

Sharing of copyrighted materials over the network, such as video games, software, music, images, videos, publications, or any other protected materials is a violation of federal copyright statutes and is strictly prohibited. Students who are cited in infringements notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) will have their SSU Network access and Housing Wi-Fi suspended. Repeat violations will result in judicial referral. Violators may be subject to serious fines and penalties.

Facts Students Must Understand:

  • Digital items such as video games, software, music, and movies are copyrighted. 
  • The download of copyrighted materials must only be done through authorized channels such as streaming subscriptions (Amazon, Netflix, etc.), authorized resellers (PlayStation, Steam, Xbox, Nintendo, Amazon, etc.) or an app store (Apple, Android, etc.)
  • Downloading copyrighted materials from sites like BitTorrent and Pirates Bay is illegal.
  • Downloading copyrighted materials outside of the authorized channels is unlawful and you could be subject to civil or even criminal prosecution.
  • There are serious consequences for copyright infringement including fines of up to $150,000.00
  • Shawnee State University receives notices from our ISP when students violate this law. These violation notices specifically identify the person making the download.
  • Your Housing Wi-Fi will be disabled if you violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)