OIT

Technology at NDNU – A Guide for Students & Parents

Notre Dame de Namur University provides up-to-date, appropriate technology to "address the constantly changing educational needs of our diverse society and provide strong liberal arts programs and professional studies" as part our our mission. We promote the use of technology to enhance collaboration, active learning, the development of technological competence, and our other core values.

Below are frequently asked questions about technology on campus (based in part on the Consumer Guide prepared by Educause, the academic technology organization). The information is from the NDNU Office of Information Technology (OIT). The questions and answers are grouped under:

Academic Experience

What percentage of campus courses use electronic information to enhance the course (for example, syllabi, reading lists, discussion groups, demonstrations)?

Well over half of NDNU courses use some combination of e-mail, Web syllabi and discussion boards, analytical software, and course-specific electronic resources. This proportion is steadily growing.

Are technology resources available, used effectively to enhance the learning experience, and designed to prepare graduates in your major for successful technology use in their careers?

NDNU provides a fast, reliable campus network enabling internet access for all students. Students access the network through computer labs and through network connections in residence hall rooms, lounges, and classrooms.

Wireless access is available in the Library, many classrooms, and in favorite outdoor spots like the patio of the Tabard Inn. Campus computer labs include Windows, Macintosh, and Unix computers. Students can also use computers in Campus Center and the Gellert Library.

What library resources are available on-line (catalog, databases, special collections)?

NDNU's Gellert Library maintains an on-line catalog accessible from anywhere on the World Wide Web. The library Web site, library.ndnu.edu, also provides access to selected online reference resources, an extensive collection of on-line databases, and full-text electronic journals and newspapers.

What electronic reference materials are licensed and how accessible are they from outside the library (for example, in the residence halls or off campus)?

Access to on-line subscription resources, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and subject-specific databases, is available campus-wide. Most of these are also available to NDNU students from anywhere on the World Wide Web through access codes available from the library. Further details are available from the library at library.ndnu.edu.

How does the campus help students develop computer skills?

Regular credit courses are offered to develop computer competency. Technology is also incorporated into the majority of courses. Special short courses (typically for one unit) in Computer Science are available in such subjects as Web-page creation, statistical software, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); these can be taken in conjunction with a course that makes use of the software or independently.

Does the campus allow students to receive credit for courses taken electronically from other sources?

Yes, on the same basis as traditional courses. In each case, credit is granted by the Registrar.

Does the campus have a specific computer/IT competency requirement for all undergraduates?

Not campus-wide. Technical competencies are built into each program as appropriate.

What percentage of faculty has a networked computer available to them?

All of our faculty have networked computers in their offices.

What percentage of faculty use e-mail regularly?

Almost all -- some 95-100%.

Administrative Experience

What information about admission and financial aid is available on-line, and can necessary forms be submitted electronically?

Admissions and Financial Aid information is available on-line, linked from www.ndnu.edu/future. Applications for admission can be submitted on-line or downloaded from our Apply Web page.

Is the University Catalog, including campus policies, available on the Web?

Yes, the Catalog, including campus policies, can be viewed on-line.

Can a student access his or her personal student information/data on-line?

This capability will be available in 2003-2004 for the initial groups of students.

Can a student find out his or her grades on-line or by phone at the end of a semester?

Yes, currently by phone and online in 2003-2004 for the initial groups of students.

Is registration, including dropping and adding courses, processed electronically?

Students can search the continuously updated course schedule on NDNU's Campus Portal. Registration, dropping and adding requires an advisor's signature and thus cannot be completed remotely.

Can students pay bills, receive loans, and make campus bookstore purchases using on-line procedures?

Purchases can be made from the campus bookstore online.

What campus and community services are covered by "smart cards" or "debit cards"?

Dining Services, the Library and the copy center in the Library use smart cards.

What student information does the campus provide routinely to parents?

News about campus life, athletics, cultural and other events are kept current on the University Web sites, including www.ndnu.edu, news.ndnu.edu, athletics.ndnu.edu, and the Argonaut Student Newspaper.

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), personal, academic and financial information on students, other than directory information, is not provided to parents or others unless the student has signed a release form. More information can be found in the Catalog under Privacy Rights of Students.

Social Experience

What percentage of students on this campus has full-time use of personal computers?

All residence halls have connections to the campus network and Internet in each room. About half of the students own a computer. All campus students have access to the computer labs and satellite areas.

What is the ratio of public access computers to undergraduate enrollment?

There is approximately 1 public access computer for every 11 undergraduates.

What percentage of students use e-mail and other software applications on a regular basis?

100%.

Does the campus allow personal student Web pages?

Yes, students simply request space on a Web server from the University's Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically?

Directory information is restricted to the secured campus Intranet.

Is there a campus code of behavior for use of computing resources?

Yes. The policy can be found on-line at www.ndnu.edu/webweaving/acceptableuse.html.

What social activities and services are available over the Web?

Campus concerts, plays, lectures, exhibitions, and other happenings are listed at www.ndnu.edu/artsandlectures. The Athletics Department maintains its own Web site at athletics.ndnu.edu, and the Argonaut Student Newspaper.

Are there Web sites for student organizations and clubs, and are these linked to the campus home page?

Various student organizations maintain their own Web sites; these are not linked to the University home page.

Requirements, Services, and Costs

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

No fee is charged.

Are students required to purchase their own computers?

No, with the exception of some graduate programs in the School of Business and Management. The University provides ubiquitous access to campus computing through general and departmental labs, the Campus Center lounge area, and the Gellert Library. Labs encourage collaborative computing and foster student and faculty interaction.

How does the campus make computing and network access financially available to all students?

Campus computing and network access costs are included in tuition.

Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in the dorms or for off-campus access?

No, these are basic educational services included in tuition and residence fees.

If I bring my own computer equipment to school, what kind of support can I expect from the campus?

Office of Information Technology staff support network connections to dormitory rooms (as well as labs and classrooms). Resident Assistants in the dorms also help with connectivity questions (how to connect to the campus network). University staff do not repair personally-owned computers. Students are encouraged to contact the dealer for support of their private computer.

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

There are no campus-wide requirements. Some programs in individual departments make their own recommendations, and some graduate programs in the School of Business and Management have specific requirements.

What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and during what hours of operation?

Resident Assistants in the dorms help with connectivity questions. OIT staff help with the online course management system. Training is available through various courses, as noted above. There is not a general help desk for student computer questions.

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

Yes. Classrooms, labs and faculty workstations each have a planned replacement cycle.

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

All campus computers use laser printers at no charge.

A Note about the Educause "Consumer Guide" for Technology on Campus

Educause is an association which shapes transformational change in higher education. To assist families and students in evaluating information technology on college campuses it has prepared a "Consumer Guide for Parents." The NDNU Office of Information Technology has compiled the answers above as they apply to the University