***unable to logon to alpha/beta with university username/password***

Alpha and beta should accept your university username/password (also known as LDAP password) automatically.
If this does not work for you then from IT Services:

"Quick way to test your LDAP password is
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/test/secure/
If you have problems with this, contact the IT Helpdesk.

There is also a potential problem if someone has never changed their password. 
Probably the best way to check this is to try to mount a drive. How to do that:

On the Windows desktop, right click on the MyComputer icon and select Map Network Drive. 
Fill in the Folder box with \\nexus\<username> replacing <username> with your actual account name e.g abc12.
Unclick the box "Reconnect at logon".
Click on "different username".
Fill in username and password and click OK Click on Finish

All being well, this should mount your user filespace on the central file store. 
What is important is whether this works or not.

If it doesn't, you should go to
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/itsupport/Youraccount/Accountsandpasswords/
and click on Password Changing Page.
(Note that you will have to use the new password for other password-dependent things such as email.)