Evaluating Information Technology

Requirements, Services and Costs

Overview

EDUCAUSE reminds students that they are also consumers. Find out what services Brandeis offers and how they will benefit you.

Fees and expenses

What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus? What does it cover?

Brandeis charges a technology fee, which is part of a student's tuition once per semester. This fee covers all University Network (UNet) services, everything a student will need related to network access.

Will you be required to purchase your own computer?

Students are not required to purchase their own computers as numerous public computers are available, but many students choose to do so.

Does the campus make computing and network access financially accessible? Is special student pricing offered for computers and peripheral equipment?

If interested, students at Brandeis can get discounts on select Dell and Apple computers. Information is available on the hardware purchasing webpage.

Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in residence hall rooms or for off-campus access?

Each student living on campus has access to one Ethernet connection to be used for their campus phone and computer connection. The two devises can share the one connection simultaneously. A second connection (i.e. for an additional computer or an Ethernet printer) is available for a small fee. It should also be noted that the campus is increasing the range of its wireless network, of which students with the required hardware can access the Internet with no additional fees.

Technical support

What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?

The Information Technology Services website maintains a list of recommended and supported hardware and software.

What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and when are they available?

Students can find assistance with hardware and software questions by going to the UNet Help Desk. The Help Desk can be contacted via phone, AOL Instant Messenger, or in person. Specific questions regarding work for class, such as a multi-media presentation or using WebCT, can be answered by the Instructional Technology Resource Center.

Does the campus have a plan for keeping its hardware and software current, and if so, what is the replacement cycle?

Yes, Brandeis University has a plan in place to keep the hardware on campus up-to-date. Participating computers in the Desktop Refresh Plan get replaced with new equipment every four years. The Printer Refresh Plan replaces participating printers every six years.

If you bring your own computer to school, what kind of technical support can you expect from the campus?

Brandeis supports both Windows and Macintosh computers. There is a hardware repair shop on campus for your convenience. Some software, such as Norton AntiVirus is available for free to all students. The Instructional Technology Resource Center has documentation available for popular software, such as the Microsoft Office package.

Other services

How does the campus support printing for students, and is there a charge for this service?

While students can use personal printers, there are public printers available in computer clusters on campus. Black and white laser printing costs ten cents per page. Color laser printing costs fifty cents per page.

Does the campus provide wireless network coverage? If so, how much of the campus has wireless connectivity?

Brandeis offers wireless network coverage in much of the campus. Up-to-date wireless locations are available on the LTS website. The wireless coverage is not intended as a replacement, but as a supplement to the wired ethernet network, and it is provided as a convenience for the Brandeis community.

This page was last modified on: Apr 18, 2007