Connecting to the University network provides access to the Internet, including the World Wide Web, the powerful Microsoft Exchange e-mail server, shared directories and other services. New machines are cycled into the labs every semester. An extensive collection of programming languages, data analysis packages and business programs support the curriculum. The academic labs are open for student use every day of the week including weekends, with early morning access Monday through Friday and late night access Sunday through Thursday during the regular school year. Hours of operation are extended during reading and examination periods and reduced somewhat during summer sessions.
Lab assistants are available during all hours of operation.
Coupled with professional staff, they can provide expert advice to the campus community. The academic labs are also scheduled for classroom instruction and equipped so that faculty may incorporate computer and overhead projection into their lectures. In addition to these OIT facilities, departmental computing labs provide many specialized computing environments, such as the Silicon Graphics workstations running UNIX for Computer Science and the Macintosh labs offering high-end graphics and publishing software for several design departments. Software includes Autocad, Accurender, 3D Studio Viz, CAD Overlay, Photoshop and more. All workstations have access to three laser printers, color printer and high-resolution scanners.