Every Boston College student, faculty, and staff member will be assigned unique credentials when they first become a member of the BC community. Online services and resources restricted to the BC community require authentication using a BC username and BC Password or Secondary Password.

Username

Every Boston College student, faculty, and staff member has a unique username that is assigned when you first become a member of the BC community. Your BC username is generated using a portion of your last name, often combined with random letters. Online services and resources restricted to the BC community, including Agora Portal, require authentication by entering your BC username and BC Password.

When and how do I get my username?

  • Students receive their username via email after they are officially enrolled.
  • New faculty and staff receive their username during the hiring process.
     

If you do not know your username, contact the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or your Technology Consultant (for faculty/staff).

Security Note: Although you can use "username@bc.edu" for your BC email address, Boston College highly recommends giving people your "friendly" email address (firstname.lastname.#@bc.edu) to help protect your BC credentials.

 

Issues with your BC Username?

BC usernames are generated using a portion of your last name, often combined with random letters. Usernames are only needed to sign onto BC systems and will not be changed unless there is a very good reason, such as a security issue.

If there is an issue with your BC username, contact the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or your Technology Consultant (for faculty/staff).

BC Password

Keep your BC Password Safe

Do not leave your password written on a piece of paper or share it with anyone else. Your password and other security credentials are confidential and should be protected.

Your BC Password enables you to access many BC applications and systems including Agora Portal and EagleApps. Make sure to set the answers to the Challenge Questions. In the event you forget your BC Password, your answers to these questions will allow BC Help Center staff to confirm your identity and reset your password.

If you're new to BC, you will be assigned a temporary BC Password, which you must change the first time you log into Agora Portal.

Print

Secondary Password (for BC Gmail)

Use your Secondary Password to log into BC Google Workspace applications (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive, etc.). Note: Log in to BC Google Workspace using the format username@bc.edu.

Create/Change Your Secondary Password

Your Secondary Password must be a different password than your main BC Password. Requirements are detailed on the Secondary Password Change/Create page in Agora Portal.

  1. Log in to Agora Portal.
  2. On the My Services tab, click Change Secondary Password.

PIN

Your PIN is used to log in to voicemail on your BC phone.

New to Boston College

Your initial temporary voicemail PIN will be emailed to you by BC Information Technology Services. You will be required to change it at first login. See the complex PIN requirements on the Voicemail Setup page.

Change Your PIN

To change your voicemail PIN via:

  • Phone: Dial 2-4006 (on-campus) or 617-552-4006 (off-campus). To be prompted for your extension (e.g., ID), press * (star) during the greeting. When prompted, enter your current PIN. Press 4 from the main menu; then press 3 (preferences); press 1 (PIN) and follow the prompts.
  • Web (not available for shared or department voicemail): Log in to vm.bc.edu using your BC credentials and BC 2-Step Verification. Then, at the top of the page, click Settings. From the Passwords menu, click Change PIN.
     

Note: See the complex PIN requirements on the Voicemail Setup page.

For Shared & Department Voicemail: You must call the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) to have it reset.

Reset Your PIN

If you forget your voicemail PIN:

  • You can reset it anytime at vm.bc.edu > Settings > Passwords > Change PIN. See the complex PIN requirements on the Voicemail Setup page.
  • You can also call the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357).
     

For Shared & Department Voicemail: You must call the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) to have it reset.

Challenge Questions

Challenge Questions are used to verify your identity in the event you forget your password. You are required to set answers to three challenge questions, such as your favorite color or your favorite food. Your answers will allow BC Information Technology Services staff to confirm your identity and reset your password.

Create/Change Your Challenge Questions

  1. Log into Agora Portal, and select the Change Challenge Questions link. Note: Student employees, faculty, staff, and anyone using Eagle VPN will also be prompted to use BC 2-Step Verification to confirm their identity.
  2. Follow the online prompts to change your Challenge Questions.