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Students are not required to bring a personal computer to Delaware Valley College. A computer, however can be a very useful resource, since much of your academic work is going to involve using a computer in some function. Owning your own computer also allows you to take advantage of the College's internet connection. If you do use your own computer, please note that any computer connected to the network must have current virus-protection software, and the virus protection software must be updated regularly. Students who do not have virus protection software on their computer may obtain Symantec Antivirus from DelVal. This software can be downloaded from the College's server once the computer is connected to the network. To protect your computer, DelVal advises all students to obtain a working surge protector. Technology Services is not staffed or equipped to repair students' personal computers.
Students may bring any brand of IBM-compatible computer (Dell, HP, etc.). DelVal's recommended configuration for a new computer is a Pentium 4 or higher (dual core recommended) with at least 512MB memory for Windows XP, or 2GB for Widows Vista. If you are interested in connecting your computer to the College's network, you will also need a network card and a CAT5 cable, or a wireless capability. Both items are available at the DelVal bookstore. As students do not necessarily know what length of CAT5 cable needed until they inspect their living quarters, DelVal recommends that students wait until they are on campus to purchase it. Although Macintosh computers may successfully connect to the network, Information Services is not able to provide extensive support for these computers.
The choice to bring a desktop or laptop computer is a personal one based on student preferences. Laptops are not required unless students are planning to take the computer out of their room frequently. Some factors to consider are the convenience, mobility and versatility of a laptop, compared to the lower cost, higher speed and better audio/video capabilities of a desktop. As we expand wireless coverage of the campus, laptops are becoming more popular.
The software used on computers on campus is Microsoft Office 2003 Pro suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), and Office 2007 Pro in our Vista based labs. This is also the software taught in the computer classes. Delaware Valley College recommends that students purchase the newest version of this software. In some classes, professors require that papers are submitted as files. If students do not have Microsoft Office, they can purchase it online through the Microsoft Student Select program for $89.98. Information about the Microsoft Student Select program is available on the Technology Services web page. All computers connected to the College network must have virus protection software. If you do not have virus protection software on your computer, the College provides Symantec Antivirus software. Students can download this software from the College's server once their computer is connected to the network.
Delaware Valley College has network connections in rooms in all residence halls on campus. If you are bringing your personal computer to campus, you have the option of connecting to the College's network. Connecting your computer to the network will give you the same access to the Internet that you have in the computer labs with the convenience of working in your room. Residence Hall access will not give students access to software packages, which are licensed for use on College computers only. If students connect to the network independently, DelVal does not charge to connect to the network with the exception of the cost of the network card and cable. Complete information on system requirements and how to get connected to the network can be found on the Technology Services web page.
Delaware Valley College has started installing wireless networks in dorms public gathering areas on campus. The wireless network is currently available in the Library, Mandell Hall first floor, Feldman Building first floor, the Commuter Lounge, The Pub, APR in the Student Center and in all Dorms. Other areas are planned and will be announced as they are installed. To use the wireless network, students will need an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless card.
There are over 150 computers available on campus for student use, all of which are connected to the College network. There are three computer labs on campus: Feldman 101, Feldman 103, and Allman 204. Computer labs are open for general use Monday- Friday from 8:30 am - 6:30 pm when no classes are scheduled for the rooms. A room schedule is posted near the door of each room and on our website. In addition to the computer labs, there are computer rooms that are open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week in the basement of Segal Hall, the Commuter Lounge in the Student Center and Miller Hall. There are also computers and laptops in the Library and computers in many residence hall lounges. Network printers are located in each area. Color printers and scanners are located in the computer labs and 24-hour computer rooms.
All computers connected to the College network (computer labs, 24-hour computer rooms, residence hall lounges and the Library) have internet access using Internet Explorer. The computers run Windows XP Pro and Microsoft Office 2003 Pro. Other software packages (AutoCAD, Visual Studio.Net, Pagemaker, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) are installed in specific computer labs.
All full-time students will receive a Delaware Valley College email account. Students will receive a letter containing their mailbox name and instructions on accessing mail. PLEASE DO NOT THROW THIS LETTER AWAY. Student email accounts can be accessed on computers connected to the College network or from off campus through the College's website (www.delval.edu; click on WebMail). While many students have other email accounts through various providers, all students should check their college email account regularly, as offices and faculty contact students via these accounts. Notices of scheduled network and server maintenance are also announced via email. Email account messages are not stored in a database, and the College cannot be responsible for lost e-mail accounts.
All full-time students are also given 25 MB of storage space on one of our servers. This space is provided as a convenience to students and can only be accessed by the individual. The space can be accessed from any computer connected to the College network. It is recommended that students also keep back up copies of any files that are stored on the server. Delaware Valley College cannot be responsible for any lost or damaged files. Instructions on accessing your file space will be included with your instructions for email.
At the beginning of the semester, students will receive a letter containing their WebAdvisor user name and password. PLEASE DO NOT THROW THIS LETTER AWAY. WebAdvisor is a system that permits students to access academic information from their computer. WebAdvisor allows students to print their class schedule, print unofficial transcripts of their grades, review the master schedule of classes, print program evaluations, review financial aid information and register for classes. New/transfer students may not register or add/drop Fall 2007 classes using WebAdvisor. All changes to the Fall 2007 schedule must be made at the Registrar's Office. WebAdvisor is accessed from the College's website (www.delval.edu; click on WebAdvisor) by using the user name and password that is sent to you. Please keep your user name and password confidential, as anyone with this information will have access to your academic records.