Vassar College - Computers

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Most students bring a computer to campus. Although, it is possible not to bring one. There are ample labs spread out across campus, computer clusters and printers in each dorm, and the laptop lend-out program in the library. But students recommend bringing your own for the convenience and versatility that it offers. If students have the option of bringing their own computer to campus, a laptop is the best way to take full advantage of wireless Internet.

Technology is well-integrated into academic life. Most classes and student organizations rely upon Blackboard, a system similar to those on other college campuses. The Vassar Blackboard allows students to conduct online discussions, take exams, submit papers online, receive announcements, and download files or readings quickly. Although most classes are small, Blackboard is utilized both to continue the discussions that began in class in a less formal or more in-depth setting and to provide a space for small class discussion in the rare course that boasts more than 30 students. E-mail is also a tremendous resource. Professors are very responsive to e-mail (even late into the night), and students are constantly asking questions or setting up appointments with professors to meet face-to-face.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

So far, I’ve been satisfied with... So far, I’ve been satisfied with the campus network. Computer and Information Services has been helpful for me, there is a Mac store on campus, and the computer clusters always have a computer available, although sometimes, the printers do not work and the cluster space is messy. I’d recommend bringing your own computer just to avoid any headache. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

Bring a computer because it will... Bring a computer because it will make your life easier, but don’t feel like you have to go out and buy one if you don’t already have one. Labs are sometimes crowded, but there are a few computers in each dorm if you really need to print something out in a hurry. The computer labs are not always crowded, though some of the older dorms are often missing parts of computers, so they often don’t work. It would be best to have your own computer, but the library also has a lot, and they have laptops you can check out as well. During crunch time, though, they aren’t always available. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

Definitely have a laptop. A friend... Definitely have a laptop. A friend of mine had a desktop and bought a laptop for about $300 the first week of school and has not regretted it. It’s just easier to be portable, and there are wireless Internet connections everywhere. It’s not so hard to access a computer (there are computers in the library, dorms, and the student center, etc), but it’s extremely hard to get anything printed. I don’t have my own printer, so I am always running around campus trying to get a paper printed that is due in five minutes. In fact, I’ve nicknamed the steps by the Computer Center ‘the endless steps of doom.’ Printers are never working on campus and are always crowded. If I were a wiser person, I would invest in a printer, preferably a fast laser printer. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

The computer store at Vassar is an... The computer store at Vassar is an authorized retailer and service provider for Apple computers. Though students are encouraged to use Macs, computer labs are fit with both PC and Macs, and the campus is friendly to both systems. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

E-mail is hypnotic and addictive.... E-mail is hypnotic and addictive. Still, I would suggest having your own computer. It makes life a whole lot easier—writing papers, surfing the net, watching movies, playing games, downloading whatever, and generally having the freedom to do what you wish without needing to answer to anyone. 12345 Computers Report

Facts

Did You Know?

The Computer Center offers workshops and public facilities all over campus to learn basic computer skills, produce for the Web, edit simple or complicated audio tracks and videos, prepare graphics, and create animations.

Vassar has entered into a campus agreement with Apple that allows the college to distribute the iTunes software on campus. Students will be able to make their music playlists available to other students on the Vassar network. Vassar will not attempt to block or restrict the bandwidth for this sanctified music file sharing.

Vassar owns 30 Apple laptops that it lends out to students for use in the library for the day. Getting one of these well-sought-after computers, however, can be a difficult task. You should be prepared to take down anyone ahead of you in line, or worse, arrive when the library opens in order to reserve your laptop for the day.

Hardware support for PCs has now been expanded. Students can drop off their desktop PCs at the help desk on campus to be taken to off-campus, third-party repair facilities. Help with hardware issues for Macs is still provided at the Apple Store located in the College Center.

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