What is ResNet?

Computing resources have become an integral part of higher education, and students at Saint Mary's College have access to a wide variety of technology resources and support. These resources include ResNet and the Computer Clusters and Classrooms.

ResNet refers to the residential student computer network at Saint Mary's College. Students are encouraged to bring personal computers to campus to connect the campus network and the Internet from their residence halls. ResNet at Saint Mary's College provides:

• A personal 100Mbps wired Internet connection for every student living in the residence halls
• Detailed instructions for connecting to the network
• Software for accessing Internet resources (World Wide Web, electronic mail, course-related software and materials, online library catalogue)
• Disk space on our network (referred to as a "personal network drive") to save files to and/or host a web page. This space is accessible from any networked computer on campus, eliminating the need to carry disks across campus from computer to computer. This network space is also backed up by Information Technology every night, which makes it a secure place for important papers and other files.
• Free virus protection software for your personal computer (McAfee VirusScan for Windows and Mac OS X).
• ResNet Computer Consultants (RCCs) who are available to assist with connecting students' computers to the network and other basic computing questions.
• The ResNet Office and the ResNet Helpline, which are staffed in the afternoons and evenings by ResNet Computer Consultants (RCCs), for immediate troubleshooting assistance.

Saint Mary's College and Information Technology also provide students with:

• A Saint Mary's e-mail account that is accessible from any computer with access to the Internet.
• A Microsoft Campus Agreement for students that allows students to purchase a single copy each of Office 2007 for Windows, Office 2008 for Mac, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Upgrade. We will offer students the software for $10 per software title for their personal computer.
• Wireless network and Internet access in many academic buildings, as well as the dining hall and student center. Wireless network and Internet access is currently available in some residence halls, and will appear in the remaining residence halls as early as the 2009/2010 academic year.
• Approximately 200 computers in our computer clusters - areas with networked Macintosh and Windows computers that have many popular software packages installed on them, as well as course-specific software. Any Saint Mary's student can use the computers in the clusters. There are clusters available in the library, classroom buildings, and each residence hall, many of which are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Even if they own a personal computer, students will often work in the computer clusters because of the software and hardware available. The clusters also provide a study space away from the distractions of a residence hall room.

Information Technology expects all students to respect copyright and licensing restrictions on software and other digital media (including MP3s and MPEGs), and will not provide equipment or software support for any computer on which unauthorized materials are known to exist. Students illegally distributing copyrighted material using the Saint Mary's network will lose computing privileges and face additional disciplinary action via Student Affairs.

Information regarding the proper use of computing resources at Saint Mary's College can be found in the College's Acceptable Use Policy, as well as Information Technology's complete policy document, available from the Information Technology web site (http://www.saintmarys.edu/it). Policies specific to ResNet or the Computer Clusters and Classrooms will also be posted on the appropriate ResNet (http://www.saintmarys.edu/resnet) or Computer Clusters and Classrooms (http://www.saintmarys.edu/clusters) web pages. Inappropriate use of computing resources will be evaluated by the Chief Information Officer or his/her designee and may lead to may result in a loss of computing privileges or other disciplinary action.

Questions regarding student computing should be directed to the Coordinator of Student Computing in the Department of Information Technology, 101 Haggar Hall, resnet@saintmarys.edu.

Last Modified March 19, 2009