EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Membership is open to institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and other related associations and organizations.
EDUCAUSE has formulated a Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus. It is designed to help you ask the right questions to match your educational and social needs and financial capabilities with the resources available at the colleges and universities on your "short" list. In a knowledge-driven era, higher education is essential and information technologies, resources, and services will enrich your educational experience.
We duplicate the 4 sections of that guide here with answers:
Requirements, Services & Costs
There is a strong interaction between the quality and extent of services a campus offers and the costs associated with this infrastructure. There is also a tremendous variation in the ways campuses charge for these services. To evaluate the benefits received, and to be able to directly compare costs, you will need answers to these questions.
What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus and what does it cover?
None. We believe in the value of technology in education and we are committed to providing services that will fulfill the college's mission of providing a superior education.
Are students required to purchase their own computer?
No. However, it is often an advantage to work in the dorms, especially during exam periods when the labs are busy. Therefore, OIT recommends that students purchase their own computer.
How does the campus make computing and network access financially available to all students?
Williams College has a large number of computers and printers available to students in public labs. There are no scholarships available for purchasing a computer. However, financial aid recipients may be eligible for a one-time increase of their student loan by up to $2,000.
Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in the dorms or for off-campus access?
There are no fees for any network access. Every dorm room has a network connection. When off-campus, most campus services can be accessed through a proxy server via the web, but students need to have their own internet service provider.
If I bring my own computer equipment to school, what kind of support can I expect from the campus?
During First Days, we have a team of STCs (Student Technology Consultants), as well as OIT staff, who work through Labor Day weekend to setup first-years' computers on the network. We also provide CDs for those students who want to perform the setup themselves. STCs also provide computer support during the year. They are available for help almost 80 hours a week. STCs are not authorized to do hardware repairs.
What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?
See the guide to purchasing a computer for our recommended computer models, as well as minimum specifications.
What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and during what hours of operation?
Our Help Desk assists Faculty/Staff with computer issues from 8am-4:30pm during the week. Our STCs support our students for over 80 hours during the week. We teach computing workshops throughout the year, as well as anytime anywhere training (for all students, faculty, and staff) in the form of Element K.
Does the campus have a plan for keeping the hardware current, and, if so, what is the replacement cycle?
Our public lab computers and faculty/staff computers are replaced on a 2-3 year cycle.
How does the campus support printing for the students, and is there a charge for this?
Printing is free. There are a large number of public printers (including color printing) available for students. Most labs also have their own printers.
