Computing Support Services for SAS Students

This page provides a brief overview of computing support services available to SAS students.

General Computing Support
Most support for students living in Penn dorms is provided by Information Technology Advisors (ITAs) as a service of College House Computing. ITAs are fellow students who can help you get your computer configured for use on the network and assist with common computing problems. Students living off-campus, in Sansom Place East or West (typically graduate students), or in a fraternity or sorority house will receive their computing support from ISC's Computing Resource Center (CRC) and First Call (215-573-4778). The CRC is located at Sansom Place West, 3650 Chestnut St., Suite 202. Help is also available via e-mail at help@isc.upenn.edu.

• College House Computing home page
  http://www.rescomp.upenn.edu/
• A summary of support providers for all students: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/view/support/student.html

Email for SAS Students
Every SAS student is provided a SAS email address based on your PennKey; your email user name is based on your PennKey. For example, if your PennKey is bfranklin, your SAS email address will be bfranklin@sas.upenn.edu. Your SAS address will be used fo r all official communications with you. You have choices about how you want to manage your SAS email, and those choices depend on your enrollment status.

• Email services for Undergraduates
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/help/undergrad.html
• Email services for Graduate Students
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/help/grad.html

Using Penn's Network
PennKey. Your PennKey is your unique network username at Penn. You will use it to access many different services. . New students receive a mailing with information about how to create a PennKey prior to coming to campus. It's important that you create your PennKey as soon as possible, since it is required for creating your email account, accessing course registration systems, and using other essential services.

• More information about PennKey
  http://www.upenn.edu/computing/pennkey/

Wireless Networking. Wireless service in dorms and many other public spaces at Penn is provided through AirPennNet ; most SAS buildings use the AirSAS system. Both AirPennNet and AirSAS require a vali d PennKey and configuration for 802.1x authentication. College House Computing staff can help make sure your computer is properly configured to use both systems.

• More information about AirPennNet
  http://www.rescomp.upenn.edu/house_wireless.cfm
• More information about AirSAS
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/wireless/
  

Off Campus Network Access. Student living off campus can access Penn systems through dial-up or broadband connections, but need to make their own arrangements through commercial Internet service providers.

• Access from off-campus: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/index.html

Computer Labs, Study Spaces and Other Resources
SAS students may use any of the public labs located on campus. Labs in College Houses or Libraries offer late night access and are open to all PennCard holders. Graduate students may have access to labs operated by their home departments.

• A complete list of public labs
  http://www.upenn.edu/computing/view/labs/lablist.html
• Details on College House labs
  http://www.rescomp.upenn.edu/get_labs.cfm

The David B. Weigle Information Commons in the Van Pelt Dietrich Library is specially designed to support collaborative learning and group activities using the latest technologies. The Commons includes group study spaces outfitted with computers and large displays. The Vitale Digital Media Lab in the Commons has hardware and software for multi-media projects. The Commons also hosts a variety of academic support services, worksho ps and special events

• The David B. Weigle Information Commons home page
  http://wic.library.upenn.edu/
  
• The Vitale Digital Media Lab
  http://wic.library.upenn.edu/equipment/vitaleequipment.html
• Workshops to learn how to use technology effectively
  http://wic.library.upenn.edu/workshops/

SAS students may use the resources of Mutli-Media Services located in DRL (33rd & Walnut) in support of their course work. Multi-Media Services is home to computer labs, multimedia workstations and equipment loan services. Graduate students may also use the facilities of Language Resource Center in Williams Hall to support their academics and teaching.

• SAS Computing Multi-Media Services home page
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/instructional/mmets/
  
• Equipment Loan services for students
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/instructional/mmets/student_loan_policy.html
  
• Language Resource Center
  http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/instructional/lrc/index.html

Creating Personal Web Pages
Students with accounts on the Mail.SAS system can create a personal web pages in their accounts. Students using the Penn Live service can use spaces.live.com to create a customize personal web space, blog, share photos and more.

• Detailed instructions on how to create a home page in your mail.sas account: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/computing/help/WWW/makehome.html
• Students using the Penn Live service should see
  http://spaces.live.com

Buying a Computer
It is not necessary to have your own computer or printer, but many students find it very useful. Penn's Computer Connection, the campus computer store, offers computers at special educational prices, pre-loaded with software you'll need to connect to the network at Penn.

• Computer Connection: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/
• Recommended configurations for desktop computers : http://www.upenn.edu/computing/arch/standards/desktop.html

Last modified: 2008-02-29