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Humanities Information Systems

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Support Services

Humanities Information Systems Combined Support Policy

Humanities Information Systems, (HIS), the College of Humanities' central computing office, is committed to providing a basic level of computing service to all faculty and staff members in the College. In addition to these basic computing facilities and services, most departments in the college supplement the HIS service with computing facilities and support which are more specifically fine-tuned to the particular needs of the department.

Also, many faculty members seek funding both within the university, through seed grants and OIT grants, and from external funding sources to equip themselves for special projects which do not fit within the capabilities provided by the college or department.

Services provided by Humanities Information Systems:

  1. Access to a computer network, which makes available a suite of productivity software, including:
    1. The physical network of cables, fiber optic lines, hubs, and routers which link all college faculty and departmental offices on campus, both to the HIS network of servers, and also to the university's e-mail server.
    2. Fast reliable network servers, for networked software sharing, file storage, nightly file system backups, networked printing, and world-wide-Web sites for departments and faculty members.
    3. An extensive list of software applications provided on the Humanities Information Systems network.
  2. Desktop computers for each faculty and department office. This includes:
    1. Modern, capable computers (no older than 4 years).
    2. Complete system setup on the computer's local hard drive to make access to the HIS network possible.
  3. Well equipped computer studios for preparation of multimedia course materials - including presentation software coaching, high-end digital video and audio production, expert advice and guidance in course material development.
  4. Software and hardware support and service by a team of computer technicians who provide telephone and/or e-mail support as well as office visits for problems that cannot be dealt with over the phone.
    1. The support staff will also diagnose hardware problems and contact the appropriate repair technicians.
    2. Some limited support is available for members of the college who wish to use a university computer at home. Unfortunately, due to resource limitations, this service has the following limitations:
      1. HIS staff cannot make house calls.
      2. HIS staff cannot install unsupported (hence unfamiliar) software.
      3. HIS staff can install supported software on a University computer provided for use off-campus, provided:
        1. The department (or faculty member) has purchased the software and provides a sales receipt (or proof of purchase)
        2. The faculty member has provided Humanities Information Systems with a copy of the "off campus" release form signed by the dept. This is for accountability and insurance purposes.
        3. All requested upgrades to software installed on home based computers be performed in the HIS offices, by appointment only, and during posted business hours. Humanities Information Systems will not be responsible for tracking local installations for the purpose of upgrades. It is the sole responsibility of the user to contact HIS for all software upgrades.
    3. If a computer needs hardware repair and on-site service is not available from the hardware manufacturer, it will be the responsibility of the department or individual to deliver the computer to the designated off-campus repair facility. HIS has no transportation to deliver these systems to the repair facility or to pick them up from the repair facility. For example, Macintosh computers do not have on-site warranties. They must be taken to an off campus facility such as MicroCenter on Bethel Road or the Apple Store at Easton.
  5. Humanities Information Systems staff will help users with supported software whether they are on or off campus. If the staff person determines within a reasonable amount of time that the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, the user will need to make an appointment during posted business hours and bring the computer in to have it repaired. All on- and off-campus repairs are entered in to the HIS call log and serviced in the order that they are received. Priority status is always given to networked computers.

Specific services not provided by Humanities Information Systems:

  1. Repair of hardware over 4 years old.
  2. Installation and/or support of software on computers over 4 years old.
  3. Installation and/or support of hardware not purchased with the approval of Humanities Information Systems.
  4. Installation and/or support of software not included on the College of Humanities supported software list.

Humanities Information Systems support for personally owned computers on campus

The college can offer two kinds of support for personally owned computers on campus:
  1. Basic Internet connection service for graduate students. Graduate students who wish to have Internet connectivity with their own personal computers in a College of Humanities teaching office may get a DHCP IP number and set of instructions for setting up the OIT office-net software from the HIS support staff. Requirements are:
    1. current McAffee virus protection software must be used on the machine
    2. a compatible network card must be used for Ethernet communication.
  2. Faculty personal office computers. Faculty members who wish to use their own personal computers (desktop or portable) on campus will be partially supported by HIS. This support will be limited to helping the faculty person connect their computer to the campus network. Requirements are:
    1. the computer must be comparable to the current standard computers purchased by HIS (check the "supported hardware" page on the College of Humanities Web site)
    2. current McAffee virus protection software must be used on the machine
    3. a compatible network card must be used for Ethernet communication.

    Note: The University's insurance policy does not cover your loss if your computer is stolen on campus. Neither The College of Humanities nor the staff members of the college are responsible for damage that may occur in providing these services.

Appeal process

All appeals to any policies listed in any section above must be approved by the Humanities Information Systems Director and the College of Humanities Dean. HIS staff members are not authorized to approve exceptions in any of these matters.