Requirements, Services & Costs

• What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus and what does it cover?

There is no technology fee at Hamilton. Access to all computing facilities is provided to all members of the Hamilton community.


• Are students required to purchase their own computer?

No. However, more than 97% of our current students have their own computer connected to the campus network. Computers are increasingly becoming integrated into the teaching and learning experience, so use of computing is a regular part of each student's Hamilton experience.


• How does the campus make computing and network access financially available to all students?

There is no fee for access to the network and we have many computers accessible to students that don't own their own computers.


• Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in the dorms or for off-campus access?

No additional fees are assessed. If you have a network-ready computer, then we provide the necessary software for connecting to the network, reading e-mail, transferring files, and surfing the web.


• What kinds of support services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided on campus, and during what hours of operation?

The college provides help connecting student computers to the network and supports all standard hardware and software listed in the next section. In addition, an easy-to-use Network Connection CD is provided at check-in. To help prevent loss of productivity due to viruses and spyware, personalized help is available during the first three weeks of the semester for students who need to bring their computers into compliancy with our security guidelines. Please refer to http://www.hamilton.edu/college/its/support/computer-compliance.html for details. Phone support is available M-F (8:30AM-4:30PM) and Su-Th (4:30PM - 10:00PM). For computers that are compliant, or have problems not related to compliancy, students can choose between in-office appointments and in-dorm appointments with our student-based Support On Site (SOS) service. A fee-based full service repair center ( VITEC Solutions) is also available on campus M-F for hardware, operating system, and compliancy related problems. Training is provided in a variety of ways including workshops, on-line self-guided courses, and one-on-one appointments.


• What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?

For new and returning students, hardware and software standards are listed on the What do I Need to Know About Bringing a Computer to Campus? web page. Broader institutional hardware and software standards are also described on the campus web site. Using campus standard software assures that there will be support available when you have questions.


• Does the campus have a plan for keeping the hardware current, and, if so, what is the replacement cycle?

All computer equipment is on a 3 - 5 year replacement cycle.


• How does the campus support printing for the students, and is there a charge for this?

There is no charge for printing. Printers are available in all computer labs and are accessible over the campus network from anywhere on campus.

Key Resources

Services (phone numbers)