Colby's data communications network, built around a high-speed Ethernet backbone through the academic buildings, is available in all student computer clusters and in every faculty office and all classrooms. All residence halls have direct Ethernet access to the network with a port available for each student and additional ports located in many lounges and study areas. Assistance can be obtained from the student consultants at Student Computer Services, located next to the Lovejoy cluster, and from the staff of Information Technology Services. Workshops by students and the ITS staff are scheduled throughout the year to introduce the computer and network systems, Microsoft Office applications, e-mail, and Web use and to provide advanced information on specific topics. A newsletter is published to inform users of workshop schedules, provide helpful tips, and discuss policy issues.
Web pages provide on-line information.
The Media Services group of ITS, located in the Audiovisual Center in Miller Library, provides support for technology resources in classrooms and elsewhere on campus. In addition to offering the traditional equipment delivery and loan services, the group also produces educational materials and provides instruction in many media-related areas. A full complement of equipment, from overhead projectors and computer projection systems to portable video recorders and video editing stations for student and faculty use, is maintained. Through its satellite downlink facilities, Media Services provides multilingual and special-interest programming to the campus via cable TV, which is available in each suite of rooms in the residence halls. The Information Technology Committee, made up of faculty, staff, and students, advises Information Technology Services and the president.