1. What is WITS?
2. Which residence hall are networked?
3. What does it mean to be "networked"?
4. What are the advantages of this connection?
5. What does one have to do to get connected?
6. If my student has problems with his/her network connection, will WITS help?
7. Does Willamette have a wireless network? Can students use it?
8. Where would my student go for help if his/her computer has a problem or needs repair?
9. What does my student need in order to have computer repair done?
10. What if my student does not own a computer? Will he/she be okay?
11. Where can my student purchase computer hardware and software?
12. There's been a lot of talk about inappropriate material on the Internet. Does Willamette censor/filter information?
13. What is my student's email address?
14. Does Willamette have a web page where I can keep myself informed of the latest happenings?
15. Do you offer voicemail for students? If not, will answering machines work?
16. How can students make long distance calls?
17. Can my student use his/her calling card?

 

1. What is WITS?

Willamette Integrated Technology Services. We provide instructional technology, network, computer, multimedia, audio-visual, and telephone services on campus. For more information about us, check our web page at: http://www.willamette.edu/wits/

2. Which residence halls are networked?

All residence halls, except the Haseldorf Apartments are networked.

3. What does it means to be "networked"?

A personal computer can be connected directly via ethernet to the University network without the use of a modem.

4. What are the advantages of this connection?

Better and faster access to the campus network to make use of the campus information system - including the library catalog, email, and the Internet.

5. What does one have to do to get connected?

A student needs:

1. a network-ready computer - either a Macintosh or a Windows PC with a 10/100baseT ethernet card.
2. a Category-5 (twisted pair) ethernet cable.
3. a web browser (Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer).

Once the ethernet card has been installed, just connect the ethernet cable from the computer to the port in the room, boot the computer and follow the instructions. Most students find that they can get connected with no further assistance. Check out the WITS CD, "Technical Guide for Opening Days," for more detailed instructions.

6. If my student has problems with his or her network connection, will WITS help?

WITS provides some support for residence hall connections. When your student arrives on campus, he or she will be provided with a CD containing instructions and documentation that will help him or her get connected. If your student needs help with the CD, he or she may call the WITS Help Desk. WITS personnel will be available to answer questions about residence hall network connections during the first two weeks of instruction.

7. Does Willamette have a wireless network? Can students use it?

Yes, Willamette does have a "Wi-Fi" or 802.11b wireless network that extends through most of the academic and public buildings on campus. Any student may use it. The wireless network does not currently exist in the residence halls, so all students bringing computers to campus will need a network adapter for a wired ethernet connection. If your student is bringing a laptop to campus, you may wish to consider getting a model that has both wired and wireless networking built into it or purchasing a separate wireless network card so he or she may conveniently connect to the campus network and the Internet in classrooms, the library, the snack bar, of the dining hall. For more information, see: http://www.willamette.edu/wits/services/network/wireless.htm.

8. Where would my student go for help if his or her computer has a problems or needs repair?

Students should call the WITS Help Desk. If the problem cannot be solved over the telephone, the Help Desk will request a WITS technician to contact the student. If the computer is under warranty your student should contact the manufacturer directly. If the computer is out of warranty, your student can drop off his or her computer at the WITS main office and, for a $20 fee the technican will diagnose the problems and give the student a quote for repair. Any required repair service willl be done on a time and materials basis, payable at the time the machine is picked up.

9. What does my student need in order to have computer repair done?

Students must have original CDs with cases for both the operating system and application software, warranty information and customer service numbers.

10. What if my student does not own a computer? Will he or she be okay?

We have a number of computer facilities on campus, several of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although these facilities are crowded during peak times, students can do all necessary work using university owned computers.

11. Where can my student purchase computer hardware and software?

Gateway and Apple hardware as well as standard software can be purchased through The Willamette Store at an academic discount.

12. There's been a lot of talk about inappropriate material on the Internet. Does Willamette censor/filter information?

No, we do not. We treat students as adults. Users are responsible for determining what is appropriate and what is not appropriate.

13. What is my student's email address?

An email address is a student's username, followed by @willamette.edu. A student's username is usually the first letter of the first name followed by the first seven characters of the last name. If a person's name is Gwen Sunken, for example, her username is gsunken@willamette.edu. However, there are exceptions (like multiple students with the same first initial and last name). Students will be assigned usernames when they create their Willamette network accounts or when they register their computers on the campus network.

14. Does Willamette have a web page where I can keep myself informed of the latest happenings?

Yes: http://www.willamette.edu/

15. Do you offer voicemail for students? If not, will answering machines work?

No, we do not offer voicemail, and yes, answering machines will work in student rooms.

16. How can students make long distance calls?

All students receive a unique access code that can be used to connect to an outside line for long distance. Based on this code, calls are billed to each student's account monthly.

17. Can my student use his or her calling card?

Yes. Students can call the access number for the card (e.g. 1-800-CALL-ATT) and use it from there.

 

Last Update: 02/28/03 by aawhite