The College has long promoted the use of information technology in the curriculum and in administrative functions. The network, campus server and Internet architecture provides a wealth of resources that students are encouraged to use. Some basics of computing at Colby:

• Every academic and administrative department uses computers extensively. In the curriculum, the focus continues to be on faculty-student interactions, but information technology provides a wealth of resources to enhance and extend these interactions. The technology provides modern tools for scholars to explore issues within the academic disciplines.
• Student ownership of a computer is not required but it is strongly recommended that students consider such a purchase. Students who do not own a computer are able to use the many computers in general clusters.
• Students are advised to wait as long as possible before making a computer purchase due to the rapid change in technology. Information Technology Services (ITS) offers guidance in a letter sent to students and posted on the College Web site every year in May. Students may purchase from whatever manufacturer they determine provides the best price and after-sale support and service for the system. Student Computer Services in ITS provides support for application installation and operation, as well as network connectivity.
• Student access to computer clusters, including free use of laser printers, is 24 hours/day, 7 days/week when College is in session. There are nearly 100 computers in student clusters and general-access computer classrooms. In addition, there are over 200 computers in specialized departmental clusters and laboratories for use in specific courses and by majors.
• Last year about 95% of students owned a computer and over 95% of entering students had one.
• Colby has a Windows/Macintosh dual standard. Both are fully supported and integrated into the campus network environment.
• Computers are used extensively in the curriculum in all disciplines and for administrative tasks, including course selection and registration. Most routine administrative processes have shifted from paper forms to streamlined web information display and information submission.
• Residence halls have Ethernet (switched 10/100-base-T) networks with a port for each student in dorm rooms. Many lounges, library study areas and classrooms have ports for laptops. The campus has a gigabit network backbone with individual residence halls connected at either 100 Mbps or 1Gbps.
• Wireless (802.11abg) is currently available in Miller Library, the Cotter Union, the Learning Resource Center, the Art and Music Library, and the Pugh Center. Further expansion of the wireless network is planned for each of the next several years.
• The Internet connection currently consists of two partial T3s (10Mbps and 20Mbps) and there is an additional partial T3 (10Mbps) connecting Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges, which share library catalog information and video conference systems.
• Standard software at Colby (Mac and Windows) includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint), which is available without charge to students under a College-wide site license agreement. The antivirus software package Sophos is licensed for every student computer on campus, with updates available on a daily basis. Some additional licensed software is available through network key servers. Specialized software is available on computers in the general clusters and departmental facilities.
• Dell is the Windows computer manufacturer used by the College for allocation to faculty, staff and labs/clusters. Apple Macintosh is used extensively by many faculty. Students should expect to use both kinds of systems in their course of study at Colby.
• An account is created automatically for each student. This establishes an email address and access to web forms for course selection and other processes. E-mail is a primary communication medium in the College for official notices and used extensively by faculty and students to communicate regarding curricular matters.
• Personal web page development by students, faculty, and staff is encouraged.
• Policies regarding information technology are available on the web and students are urged to read these so they understand their responsibilities and their rights. The College takes a strong position supporting individual's rights to privacy, the confidentiality of email as belonging to the correspondents, and the free expression of views in the appropriate general electronic discussion lists within a context of civil discourse.
• A variety of training resources are available, including workshops, on-line documentation, video tape courses, and manuals.
• Students are encouraged to participate in the policy development and advisory functions of the campus Information Technology Committee.
• The College recommends that "Green Computing" be practiced by all members of the community to conserve energy and other resources. Information is available on the Information Technology Services web page and on the Green Colby web page.

Updated comprehensive information about the information technology environment at Colby and the 2007 purchase recommendations will be available here before June 15 and will be sent to all incoming students. For general advice, contact Ray Phillips, director of information technology services, rbphilli@colby.edu or 207-859-4209.

2006 Purchase Recommendations for First-Year and Continuing Students (pdf)

General Information Technology Issues for Incoming Students