Information Technology

Albion College has been recognized as a leader in providing technology resources and support to students, faculty and staff. The Information Technology staff provides superior technical skills and customer service to the campus community.

Powering Albion College's high-speed network is a fiber optic dual-Gigabit Ethernet backbone that extends to every residence hall room, public lab, faculty office and classroom. In addition, the College has a wireless network with significant campus coverage. These networks are connected to the Internet via a fractional T3 line. Windows-based computers are the campus standard, although other types of workstations are used for specific applications. All students, faculty and staff members are automatically provided network accounts that allow them access to e-mail, file and World Wide Web page storage. Graduating students are provided with a lifetime e-mail account. As part of campus agreements, students receive updated Microsoft Office Suite and anti-virus software. Technical assistance can be obtained from the Help Desk, or from student technology assistants in the evening hours in the library.

Public computer facilities are available in Olin Hall and Putnam Hall, and an advanced technology computer lab in the Ferguson Student, Technology, and Administrative Services Building is equipped with digital imaging, digital video and wireless capabilities. Dell and Macintosh laptops are available for signout in the Stockwell-Mudd Libraries and in Information Technology in the Ferguson Building. Specialized computing facilities dedicated to particular departments, residence hall computer labs and technology-enhanced classrooms, are located throughout the campus. In addition to classrooms with installed computers and projection, portable media systems supporting classroom instruction are also available in a number of campus locations.

The Instructional Technology department provides support for faculty, staff and students in their use of technology to enhance teaching, learning and research. The department supports a media development lab for those requiring assistance with digital imaging and digital video editing projects, and loaner equipment such as laptop computers, projectors and digital cameras. Online training is available throughout the year to introduce the computer and network systems, Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, graphics, Web use, and to provide advanced information on specific topics.

Administrative computing systems run on Ellucian's Banner, based on the Oracle database system. Most of the College's business applications are run in the Banner system, including registration and student records, finance, financial aid, human resources and institutional advancement. In addition, Web interfaces to Banner are provided for students, faculty and staff.

Information Technology is committed to providing appropriate technology resources and support to meet student, faculty and staff needs. Detailed information on services is available at www.albion.edu/it.