New Student Orientation To Campus Technology

Goshen College offers a wide variety of technology services to members of the GC community. This document highlights services you, as a new student, should be aware of.

Your Username and Password

You have username/password access to a variety of network services and software applications. You can change your password whenever you want. Keeping it a secret helps safeguard your personal information (identity info, documents, e-mail) and helps keep the broader campus network safe and secure.

Lab Computing

There are two public student computer labs on campus. The main lab is Schertz Computer Center (SCC) in the basement of the Union Building. The MacOS Design Lab is there too. Staff and/or Student Technology Assistants (STAs) are on duty most days from 8am - midnight to help you with computing problems or questions. SCC is handicapped accessible. Library Lab is located in the Library Reference Room and is open the same hours as the Library.

Printing

Laser printers are available in labs. Students receive $25 of free printing at the beginning of each semester. You can purchase additional print credit from ITS if you run out before the end of the semester. Normal laser printing costs 10¢ per page. Schertz Computing Center also houses a large format (11 x 17) laser printer and a color laser printer. Cost to print on those printers is 20¢ and 25¢ per page, respectively.

Network/File Service

Every person must have a username and password to be able to log into the Goshen College network and use the software on campus. Logging in gives you access to space reserved for you on our network file server. This appears to you as your M:\My Documents folder. ITS backs up your My Documents folder daily, but we also recommend that you make an extra backup of your critical files onto a flash drive, floppy or CD.The M:\Public folder is also available for sharing files with others on campus. Note, however, that any files placed there can be read, modified and/or deleted by anyone with a GC account. Files can and do disappear from the Public folder without notice, so be sure not to place your only copy of an important file there.

Online Resources

The Good Library has a rich collection of online resources, including JSTOR , which supplies over 100 full-text journals; Lexis-Nexis; Medline and more.

ResNet

Students may connect to the Goshen College network in their dorm rooms. Setup is available by appointment. There is no cost to the students other than the network card/cable needed for connection. See the ResNet page for more information. Details about dates/place will also be published in the campus newsletter, the Communicator.

GC Online

GC Online is a web-based portal to secure on-campus services. By logging in with your username and ldap (email) password, you may check your grades, course history and account balances; change your password or vacation email message; apply for graduation; or fill out your timecard.

Email

Your GC email account is an official channel for college communication.  You are responsible for reading it regularly or forwarding it to an account you do. ITS recommends that students use GC's webmail client. This client can be accessed from any web browser anywhere in the world. An important benefit of using this service is that all incoming mail gets scanned for viruses and spam before it gets to you. If you wish to forward your email messages to an off-campus email service, such as Yahoo or GMail, you can do so through GCOnline. Note that if you use non-GC email services, you are more susceptible to infecting your computer with viruses.

Web

GC uses the Firefox web browser, although Internet Explorer is also available on lab PC's. All students have access to web publishing space on www.goshen.edu. In a PC lab, you can access your personal web space through M:\Web Pages\mypages. In a Mac lab, you can mount your web space through AppleShare.

Bookstore

The campus bookstore web site permits credit card purchasing of books and GC apparel, via Follett Publishing's secure e-commerce server.

Listservs

GC hosts a number of listservs for ongoing group discussion. Login to GC Online Email List Services to add or remove yourself from these email discussions.

Computing Code of Conduct

Your use of the Goshen College computing environment implies your acceptance of the GC Computing Code of Conduct. Please familiarize yourself with the guidelines to avoid loss of computing privileges due to abuse or inappropriate use of technology.