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Student Telephone Services User Guide

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[Abbreviated PDF version also available]

STUDENT TELEPHONE SERVICES (STS)

Student Telephone Services (STS) is part of the University of Washington (UW) campus telephone system. The UW Technology Service Center provides the dial tone; all you need to provide is a touchtone telephone. (Cordless phones are not recommended because several cordless phones used in close proximity can interfere with making and receiving calls.)

Service Highlights

Long Distance

The UW Technology Service Center has partnered with Marathon Communications, a division of WTI, LLC. to offer a quality, competitively priced direct dial long distance program. Student Telephone Services assigns you a personal STS authorization code. Marathon Communications will bill you directly for all calls made using your code. There are no monthly fees, minimum usage requirements, or calling restrictions.

Marathon Communications is the only long distance carrier available from your STS phone when dialing 1+ the number. Alternatively, you may use calling card services of other long distance companies. You can request Marathon Communications long distance calling cards to use when you are away from your STS phone.

Apply for for Marathon Communications long distance service by downloading and printing this form Complete the form, sign it, and send it to the Student Telephone Services address at the top of the form.

Contacts for your long distance service:


Dialing Instructions

To call another UW campus 206-732 number:

  1. Enter [7-digit number] (last 7 digits of the telephone number)  i.e., 732-3001.

 To call another UW extension (non-206-732) number:

  1. Enter [5-digit number] (last five digits of the telephone number).
    NOTE:   Two UW campus prefixes end with a 2: 732 and 352.  Calls dialed as 2-#### will dial the number as a 352 prefix.
To call a local number, including those within RCS coverage areas (Refer to RCS for more information):
  1. Enter [9] [area code] [7-digit number].
    Note: The area code must be dialed for all local non-UW calls.
To call a toll-free number:
  1. Enter [9] [1] [toll-free area code 800,855,866,877, or 888][7-digit number].
To call a direct dial domestic long distance number:
  1. Enter [9] [1] [area code] [7-digit number].
  2. Listen for several tones.
  3. Enter your STS authorization code.
To call a direct dial international long distance number:
  1. Enter [9] [011] [country code] [city code] [number] [#].
  2. Listen for several tones.
  3. Enter your STS authorization code.
  4. Refer to Marathon Communications. Long Distance Rates to view current rates and country codes.
To call long distance using a calling card or operator assistance:
  1. Enter [9] [0] [area code] [7-digit number].
  2. After the tone, enter your calling card number or wait for the operator to answer.
If you subscribe to other long distance providers, consult with your long distance company for dialing instructions.

Regional Calling Service (RCS)

RCS is the UW's exclusive local calling plan that allows people with a UW telephone to make and receive toll-free calls within the Puget Sound area. All communities in area codes 206, 253, 425, and many 360 communities are part of the RCS calling area. Outgoing calls are made like any other local number using 10-digit dialing. Calls from communities that are normally long distance must first dial a local RCS number to place their calls toll-free to you. To find your community's local RCS number, or for more RCS information, please visit the RCS Web page at www.washington.edu/cac/care/rcs.

NOTE: Credit will not be given for charges incurred for calls made as long distance calls to telephone numbers within the RCS calling area.

STS FEATURE USE INSTRUCTIONS

Call Waiting

A beep heard while you are on a call indicates a second call is waiting to be answered.
To answer a waiting call and to alternate between calls:
  1. Press [FLASH] or the receiver button for approximately one second.
To turn off Call Waiting for your next call:
  1. Enter [*] [7] [0].
  2. Enter the number you wish to call.
To turn off Call Waiting during an existing call:
  1. Press [FLASH] or the receiver button for approximately one second. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Enter [*] [7] [0].

Last Number Redial

To automatically redial the last number you dialed:
  1. Enter [#] [9].

Call Forwarding

To temporarily redirect all calls to an extension or local outside number:

  1. Enter [*] [7] [2]. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Enter number to forward to.  If:
    1. campus 206-732, enter [7-digit number]
    2. campus non-206-732 number, enter [5-digit number]
    3. local outside number, enter, [9] [area code] [7-digit number]

To cancel Call Forwarding:

  1. Enter [*] [7] [3].

Call Transfer

To transfer a call to another extension or outside number:
  1. Press [FLASH] or the receiver button for approximately one second. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Enter the number you want to transfer the call, as follows:
    1. Campus 206-732: Enter [7-digit number]
    2. Campus non-206-732 number: Enter [5-digit number]
    3. Local outside number: Enter, [9] [area code] [7-digit number]
  3. If the phone rings: Hang up to transfer the call.
    If the line is busy: Press [FLASH] or the receiver button twice to return to caller.

Three-way / Conference Calling

To add a second party to your existing telephone call:

  1. Press [FLASH] or the receiver button for approximately one second to put the other party on hold and get dial tone.
  2. Enter the number of the party you wish to add, as follows:
    1. Campus 206-732: Enter [7-digit number]
    2. Campus non-206-732 number: Enter [5-digit number]
    3. Local outside number: Enter [9] [area code] [7-digit number]
  1. If the called party answers: Press [FLASH] or the receiver button to add the party on hold.
    If the line is busy or unanswered: Press [FLASH] or the receiver button twice to return to your original call.

Speed Dialing (no charge, available upon request, contact STS)

To place a call using a personal speed calling code:
  1. Enter [#] [1].
  2. Enter [speed code] (0 through 9).
To program an outside number, extension, or feature code into a list:
  1. Enter [*] [7] [5] [1]. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Enter [speed code] (0 through 9).
  3. Enter the number you wish that code to speed dial.
  4. Enter [#].

Caller ID Service (CIDS) - Optional ($10 connect/$15 quarter, by Visa or Mastercard only, contact STS)

CIDS enables Caller ID phones and peripheral units to display the incoming caller's number. It also enables the unit to store numbers, dates, and times of most incoming calls whether you take the call or not.

CIDS is optional service that you order directly from STS at 206-934-1111. You must provide your own Caller ID phone or peripheral unit. Charges for CIDS are quarterly and are not prorated for partial quarter service. You are responsible for paying for CIDS each quarter until you cancel the service directly with STS. Housing and Food Services (HFS) and local Lorig leasing offices are not responsible for cancelling CIDS

NOTE: Call waiting ID and [*] [6] [9] are not available features at this time.

STS VOICE MAIL SERVICE

Your STS Voice Mail Service will take messages for you whenever your line is busy or unanswered, once you have set up your mailbox. You can retrieve your messages by using any touchtone telephone.

Voice Mailbox Capacities

Notification of New Messages

When you lift your telephone receiver, a series of tones heard before the normal dial tone indicates new messages are waiting in your voice mailbox. Voice mail can also notify you at an alternate local number when messages are in your mailbox if you set up a personal notification schedule. (Refer to Outcall Notification under Personal Options.)

To Set Up Your Voice Mailbox

You must set up your voice mailbox so it will receive your messages. Your mailbox number is the last five digits of your STS telephone number. To set up your mailbox, you will need to

  1. Access the voice mail system and access your voice mailbox.
  2. Change your temporary password.
  3. Record your name.
  4. Provide your greeting.

Access The Voice System and Access Your Voice Mailbox.
There are several ways to call the voice mail system, depending on the phone you are calling from.

From the STS telephone in your unit:

  1. If your telephone number prefix is:
  1. Wait for the voice mail system to answer.
  2. Press [#], followed by your mailbox number (i.e., the last five digits of your STS phone number).

From a campus telephone:

  1. If your telephone number prefix is:
  1. Wait for the voice mail system to answer.
  2. Press [#], followed by your mailbox number (i.e., the last five digits of your STS phone number).

From an off campus telephone:

  1. If your telephone number prefix is:

  2. Wait for the voice mail system to answer.
  3. Press [#] followed by your mailbox number (i.e., the last five digits of your STS phone number).

Change Your Temporary Password

  1. Voice mail will answer with a brief introduction to the system and then request, "Please enter that temporary password now.”
  2. If you are residing at:
  3. Enter a new password that you choose. NOTE: Your password must be at least six digits long and cannot begin with a zero, be the same as your mailbox number, or be a series of repeating digits.

Record Your Name
Record your name as you wish it to ply each time you call the voice mail system, to confirm you have reached the correct mailbox.

Provide Your Greeting
You may use the standard greeting provided by the system or record your own personal greeting.

Listen to Your Messages

Listen to your voice mail messages using any touchtone telephone.
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Follow prompts to listen to your messages.
  3. To erase the message, press [7].
    To save, press [9].

Click on the link to view the STS Message Playback Option Map

Change Your Personal Options

Your password, recorded name, greeting, and notification schedule are all "Personal Options."

Change your password:
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Enter [2] [1].
  3. Enter your new password.
  4. If correct, press [#].
Change your recorded name:
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Enter [2] [2] [1].
  3. After the tone, say your name.
  4. If correct, press [#].
    To re-record your name, press [*].
Change your personal greeting:
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Enter [2] [2] [2] [2].
  3. After the tone, record your personal greeting (up to one minute long).
  4. Press [#] to end the recording.
  5. To review your new greeting, press [1].
    To save it, press [#].
    To re-record your greeting, press [*].

Outcall Notification

Outcall Notification allows you to instruct the system when and where to call you when there are waiting messages. You may change your schedule(s) at any time. You must define your outcall telephone number before turning this on.

Change outcall notification and schedule:
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Enter [2] [4] [2].
  3. Follow the voice mail system instructions to enter your outcall telephone number and to program your outcall schedule. Note: Be sure to use ten digits when entering your outcall number.
Turn outcall notification on or off:
  1. Access your voice mailbox.
  2. Enter [2] [4] [1].
  3. To turn outcall notification on, press [1].
    To turn outcall notification off, press [2].
    To exit, press [*].

Send Your Calls to Voice Mail

When your line is busy or unanswered after four rings, incoming calls will automatically be sent to the voice mailbox for the number called.

Activate immediate voice mail coverage:
(You will hear a single ring, but will not be able to answer any of these calls)
  1. Enter [*] [7] [9].
  2. Your phone will ring once when a call is forwarded to voice mail.
Deactivate immediate voice mail coverage:
  1. Enter [*] [7] [8].
  2. Your phone will now ring normally.

TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS

Modem use: When connecting a modem, turn off your call waiting. This will prevent the signals from interfering with your connection.

Cordless phones: They are convenient but not recommended. Cordless phones in close proximity can cause problems such as interference (i.e. static, or hearing other conversations), calls for different numbers ring through while those to your number do not, etc.

Local calls: When making calls from a campus number to local:

These instructions also apply when forwarding calls and transferring calls to these numbers, as well as adding these numbers to an existing call. (Refer to Dialing Instructions).

Peak calling periods: Heavy call volumes often occur during emergency situations (i.e. inclement weather) and popular calling times. Excessive redialing of busy numbers can cause an overload condition, diminishing the quality of service. During these times, please try your call again after 30 seconds. Service will return to normal when call volume subsides.

Telephone doesn't ring: Verify that your telephone is plugged into the correct jack securely, the ringer is set to the "on" position, and the volume is turned up.

Hear dial tone but cannot call out (cannot break dial tone): Verify that your telephone is set to tone, not pulse.

Telephone rings once and does not allow the call to be answered: Immediate voice mail coverage may be activated. Deactivate it by entering [*] [7] [8]. (Refer to Send Calls to Voice Mail).

Unable to make an off campus call: Enter [9] before the area code and number that you want to call. (Refer to Dialing Instructions).

Unable to make a long distance call: You must obtain an STS authorization code for Marathon Communications service to make a direct dial call. (Refer to Long Distance). If you choose to use another long distance provider, you can only use their services with a calling card or with operator assistance. (Refer to Dialing Instructions).

Message waiting indicator: If you hear a series of tones indicating that messages are waiting but when you check there are none, call your own phone number from your room and leave a test message. Hang up. Access your voice mailbox again and erase the test message. Hang up again and check your mailbox a few minutes later. The indicator should be gone. Conversely, if you think you have a message but do not hear an indicator, check you voice mailbox anyway. If you have any messages, listen and clear them. Then use the test message routine above to reset your message waiting indicator.

TROUBLE REPORTING PROCEDURES

Call STS at 206-934-1111 if the "Troubleshooting Hints" do not resolve your problem. Please be prepared to provide:

STS SERVICE REQUESTS

Residence Hall: Contact Housing and Food Services (HFS) to arrange for telephone service installation, moves within the Residence Hall system, and disconnection. Housing and Food Services will provide you with your telephone number.

Lorig-Managed Buildings (CDA/NCA/RCA): Contact your respective apartment management office to move your telephone number within your complex.

Caller ID Service: Contact STS directly at 206-934-1111, for all requests to add, move, and discontinue Caller ID service in your unit.
NOTE: You will continue to be billed for Caller ID Service until you notify STS to terminate it, whether or not you are residing where the service is connected.

Marathon Communications Long Distance: Contact STS at 206-934-1111 for application and STS authorization code use information. Existing subscribers should contact Marathon Communications about billing questions and address changes at 206-934-1110.


STS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Student Telephone Services (STS) use is conditioned upon the following:

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Campus Information
UW telephone numbers can be obtained by calling 206-543-2100, or from the directories on the Web.

Directory Assistance
Off-campus directory information can be obtained by calling 1-206-555-1212. A call to Directory Assistance must be placed as a long distance call. Refer to Dialing Instructions.

ADDITIONAL STS SERVICES

Contact Student Telephone Services (STS) for the following services. Charges are subject to change:
Activate speed dialing No Charge
Deactivate voice mail service No Charge
Deactivate call waiting No Charge
Add / Move / Disconnect Caller ID Service
(CIDS)		 $10 to add or move, and $15 per quarter
(Billed to Visa/Mastercard only)

STS CONTACT INFORMATION

Visit our Web page at www.washington.edu/cac/care/sts.index.html

Email:help@u.washington.edu
Fax:206-934-1133
Phone: Seattle area: 206-934-1111
Toll-free: 1-888-934-5511
Mail: Student Telephone Services
Box 359540
Seattle, WA 98195-5670

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

POLICE, FIRE, EMERGENCY * DIAL 911