Computing Facilities and Services

Campus computing facilities include microcomputers, central computers, and a direct connection to the Internet.

The central campus network is a high-speed switched Ethernet backbone extending from Law Hall to all campus buildings via a fiber optic network. The network provides data services for all academic and administrative needs in all offices, classrooms (including laboratories and studios), residence hall rooms, and public areas across campus.

There are groups of microcomputers available to all students in a variety of settings around campus. Law Hall is the technology center of the campus. Each classroom is equipped with a variety of multimedia equipment including projection units, data, voice and video connections, and a classroom computer. This facility houses an extended-hours computer lab which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while school is in session. There is a 25-station math/statistics tech classroom, a 22-station computer science tech classroom, and a 13 station wireless computer cart in the psychology research area. Cole Library, the information center of the campus, has wireless capability throughout the building. Located on the library's second floor is a 25-station open access classroom. The Academic Media Studio on first floor has equipment for multimedia presentations and web page development. In addition to a 25 computer foreign language/multimedia technology classroom, College Hall also has full wireless access and a wireless cart housing 25 wireless notebook computers. Armstrong Hall has five multimedia classrooms and a 12-station music/theatre technology classroom. The West Science Center is equipped with a wireless network cart housing 13 wireless notebook computers and LCD projector for classroom use. There are a number of specialized computer facilities used by academic departments in Norton Geology Center, two in West Science Center, Armstrong Hall music lab, Writing Studio, and the Career Services Center. In addition to two public kiosks used for Internet access, The Commons is also equipped with wireless connectivity.

Since 1991, Cornell has been connected to the Internet. Through this connection, students, faculty, and staff are able to access resources such as research libraries, data files, software, sounds, and images. We are also able to communicate with friends and professional colleagues world-wide. Internet resources can be accessed from any machine directly on the campus network. Since 1993, Cornell has maintained a campus site on the World Wide Web. The URL for this site is http://www.cornellcollege.edu/.

Information Technology, located on the third floor of Law Hall, is responsible for hardware and software support for the college network, administrative systems and instructional technology resources. The college employs approximately 35 student assistants to provide hardware and software support and to answer questions and solve problems in computer labs. Details on lab hours and facilities are easily accessible on Cornell's World Wide Web site. Assistance is provided to students for class projects through the Academic Media Studio located in the Cole Library.

A variety of software can be ordered for personal purchase and is available at educational discounts through the Bookstore. Although owning a computer is not required, students are strongly urged to bring one with them to campus. Information Technology personnel are available to consult with interested buyers.

All rooms in student residence halls have been wired on a "port-per-pillow" basis with data connections so all students may access the college network through the campus residence hall network (ResNet). ResNet provides students with access to the campus network as well as other services, including technical help to connect their computer to the network from their residence hall room, a FAQ section on the Cornell Web page, e-mail accounts, Internet access, and consultation computer repairs and purchases. In addition to the "port-per-pillow" wired connection all resident hall lounges have wireless access.

All residence hall rooms have been wired for cable television with 51 channels of cable television service.