Information Technology

Crucial to instruction, research, and creative expression, information technology (IT) is vital for both generating and sharing knowledge. With substantial and continuous investment in IT infrastructure and professional support, Colby provides students, faculty, and staff with high-quality software, hardware, and internet access, along with expert consultants dedicated to the responsive implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions.

All classrooms at Colby are equipped with advanced presentation technology. Academic, administrative, and residential buildings, as well as various outdoor areas, include wireless access technology. To maintain research-tier connectivity to local and global resources, the network linking campus buildings and the internet undergoes regular and frequent upgrades. Prioritizing information security, Colby ensures the safe handling and transmission of community data through robust policies and network safeguards.

The College has supplied numerous computers across academic buildings, many of which are concentrated in general access labs or dedicated discipline-specific classrooms. There are IT facilities equipped specifically for video production, quantitative analysis, spatial analysis, language learning, and scientific computation and visualization. Additional high-performance computational capabilities are provided for student and faculty research locally in campus data centers and remotely from internet resources via a dedicated research network. Students and faculty can borrow laptops and digital recorders from the Miller Library service desk and request temporary presentation technology setups for areas lacking permanent equipment. The checkout room in the Gordon Center provides access to advanced media equipment. Additionally, the Mule Works Innovation Lab, located on ‘The Street’ in Miller Library, serves as a hub for creativity, offering resources such as virtual reality, 3D printing, laser cutting, 3D scanning, and more.

At the College, IT professionals are committed to regularly assessing emerging technologies and working with the community to ensure their proper application. Community members are encouraged to collaborate with these specialists to develop innovative ideas and explore new solutions to challenges and issues. The ITS Support Center serves as the central hub to assist the community and connect its members with the range of IT resources available. ITS Support Services may be contacted by email ([email protected]) or by calling 207-859-4222. Information about the ITS Support Center and support services is available at colby.edu/its.  In addition to information about the ITS Support Center, colby.edu/its provides a link to our Services Catalog, as well as details on connecting to the wireless network and accessing online help.

Community bodies guide decisions about IT resources and professional staff at Colby. The Information Technology Committee, comprising elected and appointed students, faculty, and key administrative staff, provides advice focused on academic issues. The Information Technology Steering Committee, which includes several senior staff members, focuses on administrative matters. The associate vice president and chief information officer (CIO) at Colby serves on both committees, offering strategic leadership in IT planning, programs, and policy, and coordinating the delivery of top-tier services to the College community.