Student Organizations & Computer Support
The Denison Campus Governance Association (DCGA), Denison's student government body, has the authority to allocate funds to various student organizations. If funds have been allocated for computing equipment, or if a student organization receives donations or gifts or raises funds to purchase computing equipment, the organization has a right to purchase a machine of its choice. The current policies of Denison University Information Technology Services state that Information Technology Services will only provide computing support for computing equipment purchased through Information Technology Services. Information Technology Services will only purchase equipment for faculty, staff, and lab areas. This page will provide information about how student organizations can get help, what equipment is recommended, and where to get the best pricing.
Criteria for Support
With the following provisions, each student organization may receive the same type of support and recommendations from Information Technology Services as the average student, if the following criteria are met:
- The organization must have a faculty or staff advisor.
- The organization must have a student contact. Student Activities maintains a list of these contacts here. It is the organization's responsibility to keep the information on this list up-to-date.
- The student contact must inform Information Technology Services when the organization purchases new computers (peripherals such as printers do not need to be reported) and any time this equipment is moved from one office to another. The contact will provide the model of each computer and its serial number. When Information Technology Services receives notice of the equipment, the organization and the equipment will be added to our database and flagged to receive the same support as a student-owned computer. Equipment will be removed from this database when the student contact informs Information Technology Services of its removal or after five years, whichever is first.
- A Student Computer Technician or a Desktop Support Technician will visit the computer and register it properly for use on the University network. This step must be performed each time a computer is added, replaced, or moved to another office. Information Technology Services' initial response can be expected within one or two days; the appointment to register the computer is expected to be made within one week of the initial contact.
- When there is a network problem, only the student contact or the staff advisor may call Information Technology Services. At the time of the call, they must indicate that the computer belongs to the student organization. When the problem has been resolved, Information Technology Services will notify both the student contact and the staff advisor. Most problems will be resolved within one week. For problems other than network-related issues, see Information Technology Services' referral process below.
- In accordance with our Acceptable Use Policy [pdf], if Information Technology Services determines that the organization’s computer is causing a problem on the network, they will notify the student contact and the staff advisor. The organization will be required to respond to the notice just as a student would be required to respond to a notice. Based on the level of threat to our campus network, Information Technology Services may disconnect service before contacting the organization.
Who Purchases Computers for Organizations
Denison Information Technology Services does not purchase equipment for student organizations. Organizations must follow DCGA guidelines and University policies for obtaining and ordering equipment.
If the organization is purchasing the computer without a Denison University Purchase Order (i.e. the purchase is not funded by DCGA), they are encouraged to visit the Apple or Dell web sites that have been created for Denison. These sites contain configurations (recommended for personal use) as well as special educational discounts. Dell provides a "Member ID" number and a special phone number on the first page of their site for ordering Dell equipment that may not be listed as a recommended configuration.
If the computing equipment is to be purchased with a Denison University Purchase Order (i.e. with DCGA funding), please contact the Denison Purchasing agent before estimating your price. The Denison Purchasing agent will then get a formal quote from our Dell sales representative. These prices may be higher than the previous option because of better equipment, longer or more thorough warranties, or promotional pricing. The formal Dell quote would then be attached to a Purchase Order and forwarded to Purchasing with the organization's account number for proper ordering. To order Apple products, visit the Apple Store, select Shop for Yourself, select your configuration and Save the Quote for Later. You will be given a Web Order Number. Provide this Web Order Number to the Denison Purchasing agent so that the order can be placed with Apple.
Any student organization may have access to the software provided by our Campus License Agreement with Microsoft. They may borrow the CDs from the library. The Library will have 15 copies of the current versions of Windows, Office for Windows, and Office for Macintosh. We encourage student organizations to take advantage of these offerings instead of purchasing the same software somewhere else for a much higher price.
Regulations and Support
Acceptable Use
The organization and all of its members are responsible for the proper use of the computer, just as a student who registers a computer is responsible for its use. The organization must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy [pdf] and must protect the computer from misuse by others. An organization, just like a student, is responsible for the reasonable physical and virtual security of the computer. Information Technology Services strongly encourages all computer owners to install virus protection software on their computers.
Support Offered
The Information Technology Services provides an area on our website called Denison University Network Enabler (DUNE), which contains connection instructions, general computing information, rules and regulations that are laid out by the Acceptable Use Policy [pdf], and the Help Desk contact information. A network cable can be obtained from the Help Desk in Fellows Hall.
The Help Desk, Student Computer Technicians (SCTs), and Information Technology Services will provide assistance connecting the computer to the network if needed and will repair any problems found with the network infrastructure. Further support can be obtained by bringing the computer to the Help Desk for it to be looked at in the Student Support Annex.
Support Process
The Information Technology Services Help Desk will log all service requests and trouble calls. The calls can be tracked and measured for response time and resolution time. The goal for response time (how long it takes Information Technology Services to make contact by phone or e-mail) is less than 24 hours for Student Organization-related calls. The goal for resolution time (how long it takes to solve the problem) will average one week. Some problems will require more time to resolve, and some problems may not have a resolution.
Compliments, complaints, and other feedback may be directed to Leslie Smith, Help Desk Manager at smithl@denison.edu.
Change Notification List
When this document is modified the following people will be notified:
DCGA (John Beckman)
Purchasing (Kathy Arnholt)