Service overview
Minerva is a user-friendly web interface to Banner, the database where McGill's student and financial data is stored.
Faculty and staff have access to self-service menus Personal and Employee. Administrators, instructors and student advisors also have access to one or more administrative menus in order to perform tasks associated with their role in the University.
- For details on Minerva access, training and FAQs, see the appropriate section of this article.
- For details on a specific Minerva menu - audiences, purpose, authorization required - see Minerva menus for Faculty and Staff.
- To log into Minerva immediately, go to http://www.mcgill.ca/minerva
Who can use it
All McGill faculty and staff.
Former staff have access to the self-service Personal and Employee menus.
How to request & access the service
What you need to access Minerva
Authorization and training
No training is required for self-service menus, such as the Personal and Employee Menus. For other menus, authorization and training may be required depending on your role at the University, as described in Minerva menus for Faculty and Staff.
IDs and Passwords
You can log in using either your McGill Username and Password or your McGill ID/Minerva PIN combination. However, if you have a valid McGill username, your McGill ID and PIN will eventually be phased out, so it is recommended you use your McGill credentials.
Staff who perform administrative tasks in Minerva, such as updating student records or viewing/updating financial records, also need a Banner UserID and Password, even if they do not use Banner for their administrative tasks.
How to access Minerva
- Log in with your McGill Username and Password. Alternately, you can log in using your assigned McGill ID number and initial PIN
NOTE:
If you have a valid McGill username, your McGill ID and PIN will eventually be phased out, so it is recommended to use your McGill credentials to log in.
- If logging in for the first time with your assigned McGill ID number and initial PIN, you will be prompted to:
- Accept the terms of the Responsible Use of McGill IT Resources.
- Change your initial PIN to one of your one choosing.
- Choose a security question and set the answer.
- If necessary, click on the HELP link at the top of the Login screen for detailed instructions to help you set up / change all credentials.
To access and log into Minerva directly, using any of these methods:
- Bookmark the Minerva Login screen.
- Enter the URL in your browser: https://www.mcgill.ca/minerva.
See the FAQ section of this description for more questions and answers on access.
Cost
There is no cost associated with this service.
Availability
Minerva is available 24 X 7, except during scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Check the System Status page for announcements regarding service interruptions.
Frequently asked questions
- What's my PIN for Minerva?
You should have received an email from Human Resources with your initial PIN and instructions for changing it to one of your own choosing. If you did not receive this information, call the IT Service Desk at 514-398-3398. - How many IDs and Passwords do I need to access what I need in Minerva?
That depends on your role as faculty or administrative staff. See the How to request section of this article. - Which Minerva menus should I have access to, and do I need any authorization?
Best practices & policies
Anyone using Minerva agrees to the Policy on the Responsible Use of McGill IT Resources
Regularly change your Minerva PIN using the Personal Menu option, using the guidelines for secure passwords.
If you access or use privileged information in carrying out your tasks, do not use, pass on, or alter the information in any way not directly connected with your work responsibilities. This applies to information in any format, whether electronic or paper. When no longer needed, confidential documents should be stored securely or shredded. Consider any archival or legal requirements prior to disposal.
Always be sure to log out of Minerva when you are finished and never leave your computer unattended while you are logged into Minerva.
Training & documentation
Courses requiring registration:
- For faculty and non-administrative staff - No training is required.
- For administrative staff - Ask your supervisor which courses from the following systems your may be required to take in order to get access to all the Minerva options you need:
Self-serve resources:
- For all users: Onscreen instructions and HELP files accessible from the menu within Minerva
- For faculty and staff:
- For users of Minerva Finance Information (FIS) System:
How to's on Minerva Finance (Fund) Administration Menu
Support
- For Student Information System questions, contact a SIS Local Specialist.
- For Finance Information System questions on funds, transactions, financial policies, and procedures, contact the Finance Help Desk or call 514-398-FINE (3463).
To report system unavailability or slow response, or problems logging in:
To request registration in an IT Training course on behalf of someone else, or when self-serve registration is unavailable:
- Complete the IT Services system training registration (Special request) form.