Bowdoin CollegeComputers Summary

Written by Danica Loucks

Danica Loucks

Hometown

Hamilton, Mont.

Major

Probably Sociology and German

View all previous student authors

With high-speed Internet connection in dorm rooms, libraries, classrooms, the student union, and just about everywhere else on campus, there will never be a place you can’t check your e-mail. There are even a couple computers in Smith Union and Thorne Hall for students to have quick access to the Internet at any moment. Despite the excellent availability of computers on campus, most students bring their own laptop, most likely to avoid trekking through campus in a couple feet of snow. Bowdoin has a computer purchasing plan with Apple and Dell, so computers are available for purchase at a bargain price.

Students appreciate the availability of computers, decent speed of wireless, the software that is available from IT, tech support, and unlimited printing. However, Bowdoin's technology weak link lies in the unreliability of the printing system. Students can set up their computers to print to any of the printers on campus, but the transaction often doesn't complete—much to the chagrin of students who walk all the way across campus to pick up a document—or the printers break down. There are printers in the libraries and computer labs, and when they break, it often takes a while for the problems to be fixed. While students do bring their own printers to Bowdoin, they rely heavily on the printing system to print assignments or articles for class reading. Despite this frustration, Bowdoin is a technologically friendly campus with a helpful IT staff that is always willing to sort out any technological issue.