A wide range of information technology resources and support is available at Colby. Computers and network resources, which are recognized as valuable tools for scholars in all disciplines, are used by faculty members and students in all disciplines, and the College is committed to making appropriate computing resources available. In all courses, faculty use computers in some way; in addition to student writing assignments almost invariably done on computers, students frequently will encounter course assignments that require computer use.

The College has a dual Macintosh and Windows computer-standard strategy, enabling a choice of computing platform within the bounds of what can be supported reasonably and effectively within our highly networked environment. The Macintosh is the most common system in faculty offices, labs, and administrative offices, although there is a trend, with the dual standard in place beginning in 1998, toward more equal distribution. Both Macintosh and Windows NT systems are available in the Lovejoy Cluster (Lovejoy 400). Additional Macs are located in the Olin computer classroom (Olin 323) and the library cluster (Miller 16). Specialized Macintosh and Windows computing facilities dedicated to particular departments are located in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geology, Language Resource Center, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Psychology. Macintosh and Windows computers are available for sale at educational discount prices through the bookstore to students, faculty, and staff. About 85 percent of all students own a computer.

Central computing systems include several Hewlett Packard UNIX minicomputer systems for academic use. A Colby account is set up automatically for each student. Each account provides integrated electronic mail and storage of personal Web pages linked to the campus World Wide Web server. Access to these computers is available from computers in all public clusters and from student rooms. The Colby libraries' on-line catalog and links to various academic databases are also available.

Colby's data communications network, built around a high-speed Ethernet backbone through the academic buildings, is available in all student computer clusters and in every faculty office and all classrooms. All residence halls have direct Ethernet access to the network with a port available for each student and additional ports located in many lounges and study areas. The College has high-speed (T1) Internet access.

Assistance can be obtained from the student consultants at Student Computer Services, located next to the Lovejoy cluster, and from the staff of Information Technology Services. Workshops by students and the ITS staff are scheduled throughout the year to introduce the computer and network systems, Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, and Web use and to provide advanced information on specific topics. A newsletter is published to inform users of workshop schedules, provide helpful tips, and discuss policy issues. Web pages provide on-line information.

The Media Services group of ITS, located in the Audiovisual Center in Miller Library, provides support for technology resources in classrooms and elsewhere on campus. (About 45 percent of classrooms have installed data/video display technology.) In addition to offering the traditional equipment delivery and loan services, the group also produces educational materials and provides instruction in many media-related areas. A full complement of equipment, from overhead projectors and computer projection systems to portable video recorders and video editing stations for student and faculty use, is maintained. Through its satellite downlink facilities, Media Services provides multilingual and special-interest programming to the campus via cable TV, which is available in each suite of rooms in the residence halls.

The Information Technology Committee, made up of faculty, staff, and students, advises Information Technology Services and the president. All meetings are open, and those interested in computing issues are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions.

Information about Colby's current events, publications, and academic programs is available on the World Wide Web (www.colby.edu).