Faculty Handbook
II. University Computing
University Computing (UC), located on the Midtown campus (Old Main, Suite 303), and the Westside campus (Westside Classroom Building, Room 119), supports a diverse computing environment consisting of Windows servers, Windows desktops and laptops, PCs and Macs. The WestConn community relies on UC for support with academic and administrative services, software training, network and telecommunication issues, residence hall and remote computing, application development and programming requests, data base management, as well as management of computing facilities and technology equipped classrooms. Various facilities exist on each of WestConn campuses in an effort to maintain an effective information technology environment for the WestConn community, and to provide faculty and students with hands-on computing experience. To learn more about the technology services available from University Computing, visit www.wcsu.edu/technology/.
Computer Centers at Midtown and Westside
The Westside Computer Center is located in the Westside Classroom Building, Room 117. The Midtown Computer Center can be found on the main level of the Ruth Haas Library. The Campus Center Computer Center (C4) is located on the third floor of the Westside Campus Center. All offer approximately 30 to 66 desktop computers (PC and Mac) in each facility. These facilities support a variety of software packages for student convenience including: Microsoft Office, Visio, Sharepoint Designer, Visual Studio, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Acrobat, Photoshop, Dream Weaver, Illustrator), iLife, SPSS Statistics, Maple, the Gimp, and more. These facilities also support specialized software on various machines per academic requirements and are equipped with black and white and color laser printers, as well as color scanners. Each computer center is also equipped with one or more group workstations, where those students working on group projects may do so more comfortably in the designated areas allotted and a graphic station.
The machines in the computer centers are connected to the university’s network, which allows data and applications to be shared and provides access to the various file servers. All full-time, part-time, and graduate students must have a WestConn Account, WestConn Email and a valid WestConnect Card to use the computer facilities at WestConn. These facilities are staffed with student computer center assistants during operational hours, which are posted each semester, intersession, and break. The computer center assistants' main responsibility is to monitor the facilities and provide assistance whenever possible. Students needing extensive help should visit the Student Technology Training Center.
To learn more, visit www.wcsu.edu/technology and click on “Classrooms/Labs”.
Student Technology Training Center
The Student Technology Training Center (STTC) is located on the Midtown campus in the Student Center, Room 225. The role of this facility is to provide students with a comfortable environment where they can experiment with and learn about technology. The primary goal of the STTC is to improve student life, outside of the classroom, by creating and maintaining an environment in which all students can empower themselves with a practical understanding of current technology. Students needing individualized computer assistance should utilize this facility. The focus of this facility is on the various workshops offered, the individual assistance and tutorials provided, and the hardware and software available. The STTC, funded by the technology fee is not designed to be a classroom or lab. To this end, the roles and goals of the facility are:
- to be a valuable technological resource to all students, regardless of their level of knowledge of computers and technology;
- to provide an environment in which students will feel comfortable exploring and learning a variety of new technologies;
- to provide the technological and intellectual tools necessary;
- to empower students with a better understanding of today’s technology;
- to integrate student life with technology in an effort to better prepare students for today’s and tomorrow’s classroom and business environments; and
- to improve student morale, outside of the classroom, in an effort to increase retention at the University.
The STTC is staffed with students who have interests in the various and diverse technology fields and who are dedicated to facilitating the empowerment of the university’s student body. Students looking for help with the technical aspects of using Microsoft Office products, various graphic design software packages, computer equipment and peripherals, the Internet, Webpage design, and other tasks will find the help they need in the STTC. This facility has the same variety of hardware and software as the Midtown and Westside computer centers. To learn more, visit the STTC's website at www.wcsu.edu/sttc. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with a member of the staff call 203-837-8715.
Midtown and Westside 24-Hour Labs
There are three 24-hour labs, open seven days a week and holidays throughout the year for student convenience. One lab is located in the Westside classroom building, Room 247c. the other labs are located on the Midtown campus in the Student Center, Room 214, and in the Science Building, Room 127. These facilities support desktops and/or Macintosh desktops and are equipped with at least one black and white laser printer in each facility. To gain access to these labs, students must swipe their WestConnect Card through the facility's card reader. The 24-hour labs are not staffed but are monitored and maintained regularly. It is the responsibility of each student to use these facilities in accordance with CSU and WestConn's computer policies. These facilities support the same software as the staffed computer centers.
For more information on the computer centers and services available to students, visit www.wcsu.edu/technology/students.
To report any problems, of if you have any questions, please call University Computing at 203-837-8467.
Technology Classrooms
All of WestConn’s classrooms that are appropriate for technology are equipped with technology, offering the ideal hands-on learning environment for both students and instructors. Two types of technology classrooms exist at the university. One type includes the basic standardized technology, including a projector, instructor workstation, VCR/DVD, and laptop connection. The other is a multi-station technology-equipped classroom containing the basic standardized technology described above and also includes student workstations and a printer.
Each school has a technology committee made up of various faculty in the school. Each school technology committee chair sits on the Information Technology Committee (ITC). The school technology chairs, along with other members representing different technology areas on the ITC, decide which classrooms are brought up with technology each year. The ITC is a recommending body to the CIO (Chief Information Officer), as well as a mechanism for disseminating information throughout the university. The ITC developed a 4-year replacement plan where technology in the classrooms, labs, and faculty offices are refreshed every three to four years. It also states when new multi-station technology classrooms are added. The technology chairs and their committees also decide the distribution of desktops and laptops to faculty.
To learn more about each technology facility available at Western and to view the rooms, visit www.wcsu.edu/technology/techroomshome.html.
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Instructional Technology Center is a collaborative effort of Academic Affairs and University Computing. This is a designated area (Ruth Haas Library, Room 416) for faculty to obtain assistance with integrating technology into their curriculum. These units have partnered to provide time, technology, and expert assistance. They are available to assist faculty with learning new technology and/or making better use of current technology in the classroom. It is important to provide support for faculty using instructional technology in the classroom and this center presents such opportunity.
To learn more about the Instructional Technology Center and to view current schedule of workshops, visit www.wcsu.edu/technology/techrooms/istc.asp.
WCSU MOBILE
For quick on-the-go access to important information and services including news, announcements, email, weather, phone numbers and much more, please visit http://m.wcsu.edu on your smart phone. Accessible anytime, anywhere.
WCSU Mobile is also available as native apps for both iPhone and Android devices. Please visit the iTunes App Store, or Google Play to download the app to your device.
