Academic Technology

Academic Office Computers—Where Do They Come From?

In the winter and spring of each year, academic departments are invited to complete the Departmental Technology Planning Survey to describe plans and aspirations for the use of information technologies in teaching, research and departmental activities. The surveys help detail where the department, its faculty and staff would like to be vis-à-vis the use of information technologies within a 4-year time frame.  It is always a good idea to work with your Academic Technologist to complete this annual process.  The ATs are your main advocates within ITS.

The heads of Information Technology Services, working with Academic Technologies, translate these statements of technology-based goals for the following academic year into statements of need for specific computing equipment and software (e.g., new computers and printers, upgrades to existing computers and printers, new application software). Each departmental request is then assessed in competition with those of all other academic departments, and is met on the basis of available funds and institutional priorities.

For more information about the hardware we use, please check out this page on the Wiki.

Computer Software: It's Your Choice

When feasible with the budget, it is up to members of academic departments to determine which applications best meet curricular and research needs. We have a number of different applications currently in use on campus.  Though we encourage faculty and staff to use the more standard programs (they are more compatible and easier for us to help you with when there are problems), please talk to us if there is a specific application you need that isn't currently available on Carleton computers.

Faculty also require a large variety of discipline-specific applications for use in teaching and research. These needs are met through the annual departmental technology planning process, and by the establishment of key site licenses.

We want you to be able use the computing resources that will best facilitate your work.

Computing Supplies

For office supplies (cds, dvds, printer paper, printer replacement parts, etc.), contact your administrative assistant.  There are common supplies available in the Carleton Bookstore, but options can be limited, and your administrative assistant can often get better prices.  Most printing supplies are in Printing and Mailing Services in Leighton.