Information Technology

Student Accounts and Email

All students are provided with an account that enables them to access campus and internet resources, to send and receive e-mail, and to store documents and files. Students’ account names and e-mail addresses are based on the following convention: the first two letters of the student’s first name followed by the student’s full last name. Jane Doe’s account would therefore be “jadoe” and her email address would be jadoe@ursinus.edu. In the case that there are students with the same last name and the same first two letters of their first names, one student usually has a 1 appended to their address. For example, James Doe’s account name would be “jadoe1.” Students will be able to access their e-mail on- and off-campus by using a web browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari or by using Outlook.

Student Technology Resources

There are public print stations on the first floors of Myrin Library, Pfahler Hall, Olin Hall, Floy Lewis Bakes Center and the upper level of Wismer Center – information on using these printers is available at Tech Services & Support’s Printing webpage. There is a per-page fee associated with the use of these printers, which is charged via the college’s ‘Bear Bucks’ program. More information on this program is available at www.ursinus.edu/bearbucks.

Students have access to an on-line course management system (through which faculty post course materials and facilitate various course activities), the Microsoft Office suite (which includes word processing and spreadsheet packages), other general purpose software packages, internet and web browsing tools, course and discipline specific software packages (including statistical and scientific utility packages), programming languages, the Myrin Virtual Library, and a variety of other digital resources found on the college’s web site and on the internet.

The campus wireless network and the internet are accessible from all academic, administrative, student life, athletic, and residential halls, as well as the library, classrooms, lounges and dining areas. Students are prohibited from establishing their own wireless networks because of the potential interference they pose to the college wireless network.

Several resources can be accessed on the main level of the Myrin Library for creating multimedia objects, developing video presentations, and using other multimedia resources.

Library and IT Services also have a poster printer that is available to students for academic purposes. Charges may apply for use of the printer. Classrooms are equipped with data projectors or digital displays that can be connected to the faculty or student laptops.

Residence Hall Networking

All main campus buildings (including residences and all residential village houses) have wireless networking to accommodate student connection to the Internet. Student laptops can be easily set up and configured for network use, but Technology Support (at the Learning Curve in Myrin) is available to assist as necessary.

The campus-wide networks are intended for individual student use only. Using the connection for any commercial purposes or to create any type of server (game, web, FTP, etc.) is prohibited and may result in the loss of your connection. Using any IP address other than the one assigned to you by Information Technology is also prohibited and will result in the loss of your connection.

Network Storage

The s:\ drive (\\ursinus.local\ucdrives) is a network resource to store, backup and share files. Each student has access to three main folders:

  • The ‘Private’ folder is a location that only you can access, it is a great place to back up your important files and documents, there is a 10 GB limit for this folder.
  • The ‘Public’ folder is a location where you can place documents that anyone can see, but only you can modify or delete, it is a great place to share document with your class and peers. There is a 2 GB limit per individual on this drive (the limit is separate from the one on the private folder) – private files should not be placed here
  • The ‘Share’ folder is a location where faculty and staff can share files within their departments and other working groups, there are no quotas on this folder.

Whom to Contact

The Library and IT Services is located on the first floor of the Myrin Library. All technology related questions including problem reports and service requests, should be directed to extension 3789 or via techsupport@ursinus.edu. When off-campus you may call 610 409-3789. Support tickets can also be submitted through https://requests.ursinus.edu.  

Acceptable Use Policies

Computing resources are provided to support the educational, student life, and community programs of Ursinus College, and any use of these resources for purposes unrelated to college programs is expressly prohibited. Unauthorized and inappropriate use of college computing resources will result in sanctions that will vary depending upon the severity of the offense and could include the revocation of all computing privileges, the college issued laptop and other disciplinary sanctions. The full text of “Responsible Use of Ursinus College Information Technology Resources” can be found on the Ursinus College Information Technology web site at https://www.ursinus.edu/offices/library-and-information-technology/policies-and-guidelines/responsible-use-guidelines-/

Examples of unauthorized and inappropriate use of college computing resources includes (but are not limited to):

  • harassment of others
  • e-mail bombs or unauthorized mass mailings
  • unauthorized (actual or attempted) access or use of another’s account
  • unauthorized (actual or attempted) access or use of college or other computer information systems
  • deliberate attempts to disrupt services or debilitate computing systems
  • installation of inappropriate or unauthorized software
  • installation of inappropriate or unauthorized network services including wireless network services
  • copyright infringement
  • other inappropriate uses as designated by Information Technology

Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

H.R 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), is a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. It includes provisions that are designed to reduce the illegal uploading and downloading of copyrighted works through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. Ursinus is required by this act to provide the following information.
Each college campus must distribute three pieces of information related to copyright policy and law:

  1. A statement that explicitly informs its students that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject the students to civil and criminal liabilities;
  2. A summary of the penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; and
  3. A description of the institution’s policies with respect to unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, including disciplinary actions that are taken against students who engage in illegal downloading or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the institution’s information technology system.

Further information on HEOA and Copyright may be found on the Ursinus College web site: https://www.ursinus.edu/offices/library-and-information-technology/teaching-learning/copyright-and-fair-use/