Fall 2008 note to students from Candace Fleming, Vice President and CIO, CUIT

Welcome Students!

On behalf of Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT), welcome to campus!

As the central Information Technology unit at the University, CUIT provides Columbia students with central computing and communications services such as email, Internet access, telephone service, the Student Information System and SSOL, the CourseWorks course management system, computer labs, ColumbiaNet kiosk stations and electronic classrooms.  

Over the summer, CUIT staffers were busy creating, installing and upgrading many of the technology resources used by students, most notably:

• We installed 11 new electronic classrooms on the Morningside campus - in Hamilton, Kent, Fayerweather, Pupin, Journalism, and Philosophy. Electronic classrooms include electronic podiums, screens, projectors, PCs and touch-panel controls, as well as DVDs, VCRs and speakers.
• We are also partnering with the Medical Center on the fall opening of 17 new electronic classrooms in Hammer, and an additional 21 eclassrooms are planned for spring semester.
• We installed faster, state-of-the-art wireless networking throughout many locations on the Morningside campus as well as the K-8 School.
• We replaced the printers in all residence halls and computing labs with new HP 9150s for faster printing and higher reliability.
• We installed wireless in one residence hall - Broadway Res - as a pilot to see how students like and use wireless in residence halls.
• Working with Student Services, we replaced the old federal work study payroll system that required paper timesheet submittal with a web-based system for work study job posting and electronic time sheet submittal.
• We increased the reliability of your new Columbia University ID Cards by implementing some additional sophisticated "mirrored" hardware that automatically comes online in the case of any problems with the primary hardware, assuring high availability of security systems.
• With the Libraries, we began work on the Digital Social Sciences Center in Lehman Library - IAB 323. The DSSC is slated to open in October with an additional 20 high-end workstations, scanners, high-speed printers, and a presentation practice room (with projection/recording capabilities) for students.
• We are working in conjunction with the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Housing Services to promote the Columbia University Green IT Initiative. We are educating students about the importance of buying green, saving energy, and recycling or properly disposing of electronics.
• During Orientation Week CUIT will staff a "Greening Station" in Carman Lounge to help students save energy by giving assistance with the power management settings. You can also receive help greening your computer at the CUIT Helpdesk Support Center at 202 Philosophy Hall.
• With Public Safety, we continue to enhance our security and communication systems. Please remember to update your cell # through SSOL to assure that Columbia can reach you via text messaging as well as email in case of emergency.
• And of course, CUIT provides all Columbia students with technical PC and MAC support through the CUIT Helpdesk. For technical assistance with computers, telephones or network connectivity, you can email askCUIT@columbia.edu or call the CUIT Helpdesk at 212-854-1919. You can bring notebook computers and other hardware issues to the CUIT Helpdesk Support Center located in 202 Philosophy. Please call the Helpdesk first, as some issues may require an appointment.
  We will also be working on a "facelift" for the walk-in Client Service Center - more to come by spring semester!