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RolmPhone Tutorial

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Operator Information


Columbia Operator: Dial 90 or 212-854-1754

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Note: Columbia operators do not accept or connect collect calls.

Outside Operators

Verizon Operator: 989-0
AT&T Operator: 989-00
Other Operators: 989-1010XXX-0

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Dialing Instructions


Types of calls
 Dial the following
Morningside campus
 4-XXXX (officers and administrators)
3-XXXX (students)
1-XXXX (digital Centrex)
Tie lines to Medical Center, TC, etc.
 See inside back cover of directory
Local, long distance, and international
 93 + area code and number
Personal Security Code (PSC)
 97 + PSC + area code and number
Calling card
93 + 0 + area code and number + card number
Calling card from restricted phones*
 989 + 0 + area code and number + card number

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Outgoing Telephone Service


Types of service
 You can dial the following areas
Intra-campus*
 Intra-campus, tie lines, toll-free 800 numbers** only
Local
 Intra-campus, tie lines, toll-free 800 numbers**, 212, 718, 917, 646 area codes
Metropolitan
 Intra-campus, tie lines, toll-free 800 numbers**, 212, 646, 718, 347, 516, 631, 845, 914, 203, 917, 908, 973, and 201 area codes
Domestic and Canada
 Intra-campus, tie lines, toll-free 800 numbers**, all domestic area codes, Canada, and 809 area code
International
 Intra-campus, tie lines, toll-free 800 numbers**, all domestic area codes, Canada, 809 area code, and international locations.
* Intra-campus phones (restricted phones) can be used to make external calls if you are billing the call to your calling card or a Columbia-issued Personal Security Code (PSC).
** Some 800 numbers are billable calls. Check if "toll-free" is indicated. Be aware that most 800 numbers with a call processing system (press 1 for repair, press 2 for help, etc.) are not toll-free.

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RolmPhone Feature Buttons


RolmPhones are fitted with feature buttons labeled for their functions (HOLD, FORWD, etc.) and access code buttons (#,*, and FLASH), which activate certain steps in the dialing procedures.

Not all RolmPhones are configured with the same feature buttons. However, the function of a feature button can be duplicated by using access code buttons, as indicated below.

HOLD - Allows you to temporarily hang up without disconnecting your caller.
 • Press HOLD and hang up.
To reconnect:
 • Press line button of call being held and pick up handset.

CONNECT - Allows you to connect to a camped-on call, a parked call, or alternate between callers.
 • Press CONNECT.
To reconnect with a transferred call or to alternate between parties on your line:
 • Press CONNECT.

TRANSFER - Allows you to transfer a call to another extension or an operator.
 • Press TRANSFER.
 • Dial the other extension.
 • Announce that you are transferring a call and hang up.

CAMP - Allows you to connect to a busy RolmPhone when it becomes free. (Callback camp-on)
 • Press CAMP (or # 1) when you hear busy signal. Hang up.
When the line is free, you will be notified by a long ring.
 • Pick up your line. You will hear the line you camped on immediately start to ring.
To cancel a callback:
 • Get dial tone and press CAMP (or # # 1). Hang up.
Note: If you stay on the line of a busy RolmPhone extension, you will automatically be connected once the line is free. If you hang up, your waiting status is canceled. (Automatic Camp-on)

CONF (Conference Call) - Allows up to eight parties to be brought into a conversation.
 • Dial the first person's extension (or 93 + outside number)
 • Press FLASH.
 • Dial the next person's extension (or 93 plus outside number).
 • Inform the called party that this is a conference call.
 • Press CONF (or FLASH * 4) to connect that person. If a call is refused, or if extension is busy or unanswered, reenter the conference by pressing CONNECT.
 • To add another party, repeat steps listed above, starting with Press FLASH.
 • To drop the last party connected, press FLASH and * * 4.

FLASH (Consultation Call) - Allows you to put a conversation on "soft" or temporary hold, while you call another party.
 • Press FLASH.
 • Dial second party's extension (or 93 + outside number) and converse while the first party waits.
 • Press CONNECT to return to your original call.

SAVE/RPT (Save/Repeat) - Allows you to save a number so that it is automatically dialed later.
 • Get dial tone and dial the number or extension.
 • Press SAVE/RPT (or FLASH # 4) and hang up.
To call your saved number later:
 • Press SAVE/RPT (or # 7).

FORWD (Call Forwarding) - Allows your calls to ring at another extension. To forward a call:
 • Get dial tone, and press FORWD (or # 9).
 • Dial the extension to which you want your calls forwarded. Hang up.
To cancel the forwarding:
 • Get dial tone and press FORWD (or # # 9). Hang up.
Note: To forward your calls to PhoneMail, see below.

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PhoneMail Access Numbers


The following is a summary of basic PhoneMail features.

To use the PhoneMail system you need to know the specific three access numbers for your building. Each of these three PhoneMail access numbers is used to perform a different function:

Direct Access Number - Use this number to:
  • Listen to your messages.
  • Change your greeting, password, and other options.
  • Record messages to send to other PhoneMail extensions.
Note: You can program the Message Waiting (MSG WTG) button to dial your Direct Access Number automatically for you. To do this, dial # # 30 followed by your Direct Access Number and hang up. When you want to use PhoneMail, just press the MSG WTG button and follow the prompts to access your mailbox.

Station Forward Access Number - Use this number to forward your calls to another extension or to PhoneMail. (How to forward your calls)

Guest Access Number - Use this number to leave a message directly into someone's PhoneMail box. (Useful if the line is busy or if you don't want to speak to someone personally.)

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Creating and Changing Passwords


To create or change a password you will need to know the current password attached to your extension. If you don't know what it is, please call the CUIT Helpdesk at 1-212-854-1919 to request a password reset.

The password on your extension will be changed to a default password which will be given to you by the phone representative. With the default password you will be able to get into PhoneMail and create a password of your own choosing. To create or change a password:
  1. Dial your Direct Access Number and password. PhoneMail will ask you to push the pound sign (#) if you are at your own RolmPhone, or to enter your extension if you are at another RolmPhone.
  2. Dial the current or default password and press #. You are now in what PhoneMail calls "home state". Follow these PhoneMail prompts to create your own password:
    • Press 9 for Mailbox Options.
    • Press 3 to change your password.
    • Dial your new password.
    • Press # to verify your new password.
Please note: it is extremely important to create your own unique password to ensure the security of your PhoneMail messages and to protect yourself against possible PhoneMail abuse.

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Sending Messages to Multiple Recipients


This is a simple way to send your message to several people. This feature is available to anyone who has a PhoneMail mailbox.
  • Dial your Direct Access Number and password. Press 1 to record your message.
  • Press * to review your message, and press # after you have finished recording.
  • Enter the first extension (called "destination" by PhoneMail). PhoneMail will prompt you for the next extension(s) and then for delivery options. You can cancel delivery of your message by pressing 6.
Note: Prefix codes are required for dialing to or from some remote campus locations. If you get the message "this is not a supported extension", but you are certain that the extension you are dialing does have a PhoneMail box, you will probably need to dial a prefix code first. Dial the three-digit prefix code for the building you are calling, followed by the extension you want to reach.

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Creating a Personal Greeting


Students have only one greeting, either system or recorded.

If you do not create your own personal greeting, the PhoneMail system greeting will answer your calls and announce your extension. To create or change your personal greeting:
  • Dial your direct access code and password to get into the PhoneMail system.
  • Press 8 for Answering Options.
  • Press 1 to change personal greetings. Follow the PhoneMail prompts to record your greeting. Be sure to press * # to let the system know you are finished recording.
To change your personal greeting:
  • Dial your Direct Access Code and password to get into the PhoneMail system.
  • Press 8 for Answering Options.
  • Press 1 to change personal greetings.
Follow the PhoneMail prompts to record your greeting. Be sure to press * # to let the system know you are finished recording.

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Forwarding Your Calls to PhoneMail


You may choose to have all your calls go directly to your PhoneMail box. This is helpful when you do not wish to be disturbed by calls or if you leave your office for a period of time (vacation, etc.). Your callers are forwarded immediately to your mailbox without having to wait for the four rings it normally takes for the PhoneMail system to forward the call.

To forward your calls:
The light on your primary extension will flicker, indicating that your calls are now being forwarded directly to your PhoneMail box. No calls will ring at your extension. To cancel forwarding:
  • Get dial tone and press FORWD button (or # # 9). Hang up.
The flickering light by your primary extension will disappear. You will now get calls at your extension.

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PhoneMail Short Cuts and Tips


Short Cuts When Listening to Messages
3 Skips header and goes directly to message
2 Skips from one header to another
7 2 Skips from one header to previous header
* Stops message (press 3 to continue listening)
* 2 Stops message and skips to next header
* 6 Stops message and deletes it
* 4 Stops message and saves it
* 7 3 Stops message and replays it
* 7 7
 Stops message and replays header
* 7 8 Stops message and replays last 8 seconds
* 9 3 Stops message and skips to end of message
* 9 8 Stops message and skips forward 8 seconds
* 7 # Stops message and returns to home state
2 3 to listen to messages (instead of 3) Play messages in reverse order (newest first)
5 to listen to messages (instead of 3) Play messages continuously without PhoneMail prompts.
Short Cuts When Leaving Messages
1 Skips personal greeting & goes right to message prompt
* Replays message, rerecords message, or cancels message (follow PhoneMail prompts).

Abbreviated Prompts

As you become more familiar with PhoneMail, consider using abbreviated prompts. They are much shorter than standard prompts and can save you time. To change the level of prompts you receive, just follow these simple steps. (You can switch prompt levels back and forth at any time.)
  • Dial your Direct Access Number and password. Press 9 for mailbox options.
  • Press 2 for prompt level. The system will tell whether you are receiving regular prompts or abbreviated prompts.
  • Press 1 for standard prompts, 2 for abbreviated prompts.
Direct Access Number Short Cut

You can program the "message waiting" button to dial your direct access number automatically. To do this, dial # # 30 followed by your direct access numberand then hang up. Now you can just press the message waiting button to reach the PhoneMail system.

PhoneMail Decision Tree

The PhoneMail Decision Tree can help you maneuver through the system while you listen to the oral prompts. These prompts are only guides. Once you know the system, you don't have to wait for the prompts. Or you can choose to hear abbreviated prompts by pressing 9 for Mailbox Options and 1 for Prompt Level. If you need assistance while in PhoneMail, press "0" for instructions. If you have tried that and still need help, call the Communications Help Desk at extension 40000.

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Telephone Orders, Installations, Repairs


To order telephone equipment or new installations or to discontinue service, please go to the Optional Services page.

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