Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Campus Resources:
What kinds of computer resources are available on campus?
The College provides a network port for each student in a residence hall room, along with connections in many classrooms and throughout the Kinlaw Library. Three general-purpose computer labs are available to students, though most elect to have their own computer. If students bring their own computer, Information Services will provide them with directions for connecting it to the network. Internet access and individual email accounts are available to all students. Students of Asbury College can receive discounts from Dell and Apple. [more information ].
Is any software provided for students by the College?
Yes, students are licensed for our anti-virus software, Sophos, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Office includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and FrontPage. All enrolled students are licensed to use Microsoft Office on their own computer. They may purchase an installation CD for a small fee from the College Bookstore. Any class-required software is available in our computer labs. For information on installing the anti-virus software, see http://eaglenet.asbury.edu (on-campus access only).
Do students need their own computers?
Not necessarily. The need varies by department and the area of study chosen by the student. Most departments do not require nor expect students to have their own computer. When a computer is required to complete class assignments, the computer labs on campus are readily available with all necessary software and printers.
What is available in the computer labs?
We provide computers running either Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows XP. Both color and black/white printers are available as well as scanners. All necessary software for classroom assignments is also available in the labs. All computers are equipped with DVD burners. Students are given server space to store their files, which is also accessible from any network port on campus.
What are the minimum requirements for student computers on campus?
Apple
Windows
Processor
G4
P4
Operating System
Mac OS X
Windows XP
Memory/RAM
256MB
256MB
Hard Drive/HDD
40GB
40GB
Networking (for both)
10 or 100Mb Ethernet network interface card (NIC) and standard category 5 network cable. Optional: wireless 802.11b or 802.11g.
Is there a wireless network on campus?
Yes, the Kinlaw Library, cafeteria, and the Grille have wireless access. Students may use their own wireless access points in their residence hall rooms. We do require all network devices to be registered with Information Services before connecting to our network. For more information, please call the I.S. Help Desk at 859-858-3511 extension 2177.
What operating systems are supported on campus?
Mac OS X and Windows XP.
Though troubleshooting support is not provided for Linux, it is compatible with the campus network. Students who choose to use Linux are responsible for configuring their own systems.
Does the campus network support voice or video communication over the Internet?
Due to limited Internet bandwidth, Asbury College does not support voice or video communication over the Internet. Video cameras and Internet phone software will not function properly through the campus Internet connection.
Does the campus network support instant messaging?
Yes, many of the instant messaging systems function on our network. The college does not limit or block instant messaging.
Bring a Computer to Campus
What support can Asbury College provide for a student computer?
Information Services will provide instructions for configuring the computer for the campus network. If needed, the Help Desk can assist with basic software configuration in the dorm room, including installation of Microsoft Office. Basic software support is available for commonly used applications. Advanced software issues will be handled by fulltime staff as time permits.
Since Asbury College offers on-campus support, do I still need to purchase the manufacturer's warranty?
Yes. The Asbury on-campus support is primarily software support. Students are responsible for purchasing replacement parts or the manufacturer's warranty. Some vendors provide on-site repairs. We recommend that you purchase that service.
Can Asbury students receive any computer discounts?
Yes. Asbury students can receive discounts from Apple and Dell. For purchasing information, visit the student computer purchase page .
(Note: Asbury College does not receive commissions from these vendors when students purchase computers. We are simply providing a way for students to save money on their computer purchases.)
Does Asbury recommend purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer?
Yes. We strongly recommend purchasing an extended warranty to cover expensive repairs after the initial warranty. The recommended Dell desktop computers and laptops are bundled with a multi-year warranty. Apple computers ship with a standard one-year warranty unless Apple Care is chosen, which extends the warranty to 3 years.
What printer should I buy?
The College does not have a preference as to which printer you purchase or bring to campus. At this time, the College repair technicians do not provide repair services for printers. All computer labs are equipped with printers.
What if students bring old computers to campus?
They are free to use them on campus. It may not meet their needs for the entire four years, but it is wise to wait until students know their needs before buying a new computer.
Phones
What phone services are provided on campus?
Each residence hall room has one phone jack and extension number. In addition, each phone extension includes voicemail. Students must provide their own phone. Local phone calls are free of charge. Long distance calling cards are available at the College Bookstore and local retailers.
Cable TV
Is cable TV provided on campus?
Yes. Each residence hall room has one cable TV outlet. Students must provide their own TV and coax cable. The cable TV system includes 4 local channels, 31 Dish Network channels, and a variety of campus channels. Channel line-up cards are available at the Help Desk.
Who to call?
If you experience problems with cable TV, residence hall phones, or personal computers, call the Help Desk at extension 2177. During weekday evening hours, student workers are available to provide support.
What to bring to campus?
- 1 Coax cable (for your TV)
- 1 Telephone (one per dorm room)
- 1 Ethernet (network) cable* (for your computer)
* Most students require a 20'-30’ network cable to allow greater flexibility for computer placement in the dorm room. Please keep this in mind when purchasing a network cable.