Bates College - Computers

Quick Stats

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With the exception of exam times, it’s usually easy to find a computer in one of Bates’ labs. During exams, every building on campus is packed, and study space is as coveted as billboard space in Times Square. Despite the availability of computers, most students opt to bring their own because it is much more convenient, especially late at night when most labs are closed. It helps to have your own computer, but it is not necessary to buy one from the school. Computer labs are often filled with students who actually own computers and are simply seeking an environment with fewer distractions so they can get work done. When students absolutely have to get a paper done, sometimes it helps to work anywhere but their own room. In these cases, the computer labs are really handy.

The biggest flaw with computer resources at Bates is the limited amount of printers in the library, which get slow when 15 students try to print at once. Other than that, Bates is very technologically equipped. If you experience a problem on your own computer, you can take it to the computer help desk. They’re capable of dealing with simple problems, but oftentimes, they aren’t able to help with more complex technological issues, especially those involving Macs. Therefore, exceptionally computer-literate students often become very popular in their dorms—especially Apple experts, since very few people at Bates know much about them. The network at the College is fast compared to those at other schools. In the past, the network had been very slow on occasion, but the school firewalled most of the music-downloading frequencies, and it’s been consistently much faster. Bates does provide a number of online resources, such as subscriptions to journals and the Oxford English Dictionary. Most students, however, will find they spend at least as much time instant messaging their friends and going on Facebook as they do typing papers and doing research.

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Students Speak Out

BatKS says: Bates College 2015 Social Sciences

It is very helpful to have your... It is very helpful to have your own computer and printer, but you don't necessarily need them, as there are many computer labs available on campus. 12345 Computers: March 05, 2009 Report

BatHS says: Bates College 2014 History

Bring your own computer—you will... Bring your own computer—you will regret not having one. You should also bring your own printer. 12345 Computers: February 28, 2009 Report

BatMS says: Bates College 2016 English Language and Literature

The computer labs at Bates are... The computer labs at Bates are usually crowded right before any class period. Since Bates has free printing, students often use computers to print off papers or assignments right before class. But, it's usually easy to find a computer to use on campus, though most students have their own. With WiFi all over campus, it's nice to have a laptop. You can even communicate with campus printers from your laptop. But it wouldn't be a huge problem not to have one—there are several labs around campus that are available with Macs and PCs. 12345 Computers: February 16, 2009 Report

BatRL says: Bates College 2014 Psychology

It completely depends on the time... It completely depends on the time of the semester. During finals, the computer labs are generally full. It's also difficult because a lot of majors require work to be done with special computer programs, such as math or statistic programs, that are only available on the school computers. It would certainly be possible to get by without your own computer, but it makes things easier having your own. During finals, I would be worried that I wouldn't necessarily be able to find one if I didn't have my own. 12345 Computers: February 15, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

Most students bring their own... Most students bring their own computers. The IT office isn’t that great at helping with computer problems, so it helps to have some computer knowledge yourself. The labs are only really crowded around exam times, when it can be hard to find a computer. They also provide free printing and printers, so buying your own printer definitely isn’t necessary. 12345 Computers Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Bates offers wireless Internet campus-wide with password access to the network.

While Bates does offer free printing, the printers in the library are often backed up, especially before each class period. The computer labs in Carnegie basement and Hathorn are less-frequented—great for escaping the crowd.

Bates uses Web-based registration and grading.

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