Using Computers on Campus

| Software | Printing | Scanning | Laptop Student Checkout | Training | MELL | Online Testing Cente | Lab Matrix |

MAIN LAB NUMBER: 314-516-6061
LOCATION: 103 Social Sciences Building
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/instructionalcomputing
EMAIL: iclabs@umsl.edu

There are 16 open access computer labs available to students. Most of the labs are staffed with student consultants who can help orient you to the hardware and software that is available. Windows XP and Macintosh OS X/Unix are the three supported operating systems on campus. Some of the labs have all of them available, others are platform specific. Check the “Lab Resource Matrix” in this book for further information. A Gateway ID and Password, also commonly referred to as an SSO ID are required to log into all the computer systems! An UMSL ID may be requested at any time in the computing labs.

Windows users can save their work a variety of ways; on their personal server account space (File Storage Space), CD-RW drives, on a personal USB flash drive, or a floppy disk, (available on a limited number of computers on campus). Macintosh users can save their work on their personal server account, DVD/CD RW drive, or a personal USB flash drive. It is important to ALWAYS save your work frequently when using the labs. If something happens we won’t be able to retrieve it for you!

Lab Resources

Software
Instructional Computing provides a variety of software for use on the Windows XP and Macintosh OS X/Unix systems. A complete listing of the software available is located on our website: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/instructionalcomputing/

Consultants staffing the labs will be able to provide support on common applications, such as Microsoft Office, FTP clients, MyGateway, and Internet Explorer. Course instructors or tutors can provide assistance on course specific applications such as SPSS, Visual Basic, Maple, and SAS.

Printing Policies

Most open computer labs are equipped with one or more laser printers. Color printing is also available in select locations. We ask that you respectfully abide by the following policies:

• No Multiple Copies. (Copy Machines are available in many locations on campus.)
• Use only the paper provided in the computer labs. You will not be allowed to put your own paper in the lab printer.
• The printing of envelopes, transparencies or mailing lables are prohibited in the open labs.
• Printing is selected as duplex (2 sided) by default in all IC staffed labs.
• When printing, please only print 10 pages at a time so that others may get their print jobs processed in a timely manner.
• When printing Power Point presentations print them six slides per page to minimize paper consumption. If you don't know how, please ask us.
• When printing large documents from the web, use Print Preview to print ONLY those pages you need rather than the entire document.
• Please report any printer problems immediately to the consultant on duty.

In addition, SSB 103, Thomas Jefferson Library Research Commons (TJ 316), Ward E. Barnes Library, and Fine Arts 220 provide color printing. You’ll have to save your work and take your files to the consultant desk to have them printed; limited to one copy. If you need multiple color copies of your work, or your work printed on specialty paper you’ll need to get them elsewhere.

Scanning
Labs in Thomas Jefferson Library 316, SSB 103, Ward E. Barnes Library, FA 220, Music 105 and Benton 232 are equipped with color scanners. If you are new to scanning the lab consultants are available to help get you started. In addition to the scanners you may also access multimedia software such as Adobe PhotoShop in all these labs and Omnipage Pro in these labs on Windows XP systems. Omnipage Pro is software that uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) so you can scan hard copy documents and convert them to text for editing.

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Laptop Student Checkout

Laptops PCs are now available for student checkout at the University Libraries. UMSL students may use the laptops in the libraries for up to four hours by submitting an UMSL student ID and signing the use agreement.

The laptops, provided by Instructional Computing, are configured with Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. After logging in with a GatewayID, students can save to their File Storage Space drive or a personal USB flash drive. Recently expanded wireless Internet access throughout the libraries allows students to use the computers just about anywhere.

Students interested in borrowing laptops may inquire at the Circulation Desks at the Thomas Jefferson or Ward E. Barnes Libraries.

Thomas Jefferson Library- North Campus             
(314) 516-5057

Ward E. Barnes Library - South Campus
(314) 516-5572

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Training

During the fall and winter semesters, we offer several free software Short Courses specifically designed for students, which cover basic computing topics. We offer classes in using My Gateway, Microsoft Office applications, Mac OSX/Unix, File Management, and classes in basic web design. Visit any of the labs for dates and times, or visit our website:
http://www.umsl.edu/technology/instructionalcomputing/labs/shortcourses.html

To register for classes or to view all available dates and times, please visit:
http://www.umsl.edu/training

A variety of the labs offer tutors for specific course work. Checking with your professor is the best way to obtain these details, or stop by any of the computer labs for information they may have available.

To further hone your technology skills, SSB 103, TJ316, and Ward E. Barnes labs feature book libraries that are available for use in the labs by any student. You will be required to leave your student ID with the consultant while you borrow the reference books. The labs also provide several help sheets on various computing topics, including FTP, Studentmail, VI Editor, and Microsoft Office programs. A complete list of helps sheets are available via the labs, or our website listed above.

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Online Testing Center

The Online Testing Center (OTC) is available for proctored exams using MyGateway (or other online assessment programs).

South Campus 200:

The OTC is located in room 200 South Campus Computing Building. The South Campus OTC has 15 machines available, Appointments should be made in advance.

North Campus JC Penney 075:

The OTC is located in room 075 North Campus JC Penney Building. The OCT has 28 machines iincluding a disability machine available for OTC, Appointments should be made in advance.

Be sure to provide the necessary information: your name, class, class number, test number, date, and time. Also, insure you schedule appointments to allow sufficient time to complete your exams.

Students will not be allowed to finish tests past the closing time of the OTC. Students are responsible for knowing where to access exams in their MyGateway class sites or from any other assessment program their instructors use. Walk-in appointments will be allowed only as space and time allows.

To schedule an appointment, contact the OTC by email: umslon@umsl.edu Phone: 314-516-7474, or schedule yourself for an exam via the online request form: https://tomsawyer.umsl.edu/webapps/weboffice/OTC/user/login.cfm

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