Your Falcon Key is the username and password used to access a variety of resources at Fitchburg State. You'll receive your Falcon Key at orientation or in an email.
Contact the Help Desk if you need assistance with your Falcon Key.
Changing Your Password
Enrolling in Password Self Service
We suggest you enroll in Password Self Service. After enrolling, you can use Password Self Service to:
- Reset your password if you forget it
- Unlock your account if it's locked
Password Self Service
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Visit the Password Self Service page.
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Enter your Falcon Key username and password and click Login.
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Click the Enrollment tab.
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Configure your two security questions making sure to do the following:
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Select a question from the dropdown.
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Enter the answer.
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Confirm the answer.
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Important: Please choose questions that have answers you will remember!
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Click Enroll.
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Visit the Password Self Service page.
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Enter your Falcon Key username and password and click Login.
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Click the Change Password tab.
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Enter your current password in the Old Password field.
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Enter your new password in the New Password and Confirm New Password fields.
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Click Change Password.
Employees with University-Issued Computers
Important: There are two methods to change your password on a Mac, depending on whether you are using the new system or not. If your Mac is using the new password change method, it will have a key icon in the menu bar (at the top right of your computer screen).
New Method
Use these instructions if you have the key icon.
- Locate the key in the menu bar at the top right of your screen
If the key is grayed out, you are not connected to the university's network and need to connect to FSUwifi or a wired network jack on campus - You will be prompted to enter your Falcon Key password and your computer login password (they most likely are the same)
- Click on the key again and select "Change Password..."
- Enter your old Falcon Key password, your new password, and verify your new password
- Restart your computer
Legacy Method
Important: You must be on campus and connected to the FSUwifi or wired network for this method to work.
- Verify you are connected to the FSUwifi network
- Save your work and close open applications
- Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner
- Select System Preferences
- Select Users and Groups
- Select Change Password...
- Enter your old password, your new password, and verify you new password
- Restart your computer
- If you see a message "The system was unable to unlock your login keychain.":
- Select Update Keychain Password
- Enter your old password on the next screen.
- When prompted for you Wi-Fi password, enter your new password (it can take some time for the prompt)
- Open your mail application and enter your new password when prompted
- If you see a message Hold for Authentication when printing:
- Go to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access
- Delete any entries that have the word Papercut in the name
- Your printer should prompt you for a username and password the next time you print
Follow these steps when you're on campus and connected to the university network:
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Press Control-Alt-Delete and select Change a password.
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Enter your old password and then enter and confirm your new password.
If you're off campus and unable to get to campus before your password expires, you can reset your password using Password Self Service.
Note: If you have a Mac and you use Password Self Service to change your password, you should visit the Help Desk when you return to campus and we'll resync your computer with your new password.
Password Requirements
Please refer to our Password Policy (PDF) for password complexity requirements and other password information.