Computers are a big part of academic life at the University of Chicago. E-mail is used for everything from official University communications and informal interactions with faculty members to late-night pizza conspiracies. Many assignments will require you to use library materials available online. Meanwhile, you’ll be corresponding with your friends here and around the world. Here are answers to some questions you may have about computing and communications.

More answers, plus advice and documentation, can be found on the Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT) website at nsit.uchicago.edu. For more information about dorm room computing facilities, visit housing.uchicago.edu/residential_computing.

You’ll find answers to most of your computer questions on NSIT’s Web site at nsit.uchicago.edu.

Do I need my own computer? If so, what kind?
Most students have their own computers, but the University of Chicago doesn’t require that you have one. There are public computers throughout campus and in most residence halls.

For more information about NSIT’s USITE computers, visit nsit.uchicago.edu/usite.
The University also has licenses to distribute a select list of software, including Microsoft Office, at a discount to the campus community. You can purchase both computers and software through the University’s authorized campus reseller at the NSIT Solution Center.

NSIT Solution Center
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/solutioncenter
E-mail: nsit-sales@uchicago.edu
Bookstore building, 3rd floor
2-6086

How do I connect to the network?
If you live in a residence hall, your room will be equipped with an Ethernet jack to physically connect your computer to the network. To use the jack, you will need an Ethernet port in your computer and an Ethernet cable. You will also need to register your computer on the network—just bring up a web browser and follow the Network Registration instructions. The University also provides wireless access to the network throughout most of campus. In order to access the wireless network, you will need to authenticate with your CNetID, which is your University network ID.

Visit nsit.uchicago.edu/wireless for more information on how to use the wireless network. For information on how to connect your computer to the network from off campus, visit our Network Connectivity from Off Campus website at nsit.uchicago.edu/offcampusconnect.

How do I get an e-mail address?
All new students claim their account services online. This means that you will have the opportunity to claim your own account name (CNetID) and establish your CNet password. Your CNetID and CNet password give you access to your e-mail and a variety of campus services, such as personal access to cMore (the Registrar’s website), the wireless network, and WebShare (our web-based file storage and sharing tool).

For information about e-mail services at the University, visit nsit.uchicago.edu/email.

If you want to use a different e-mail account, you should forward your e-mail from your University e-mail address to your other account via cnet.uchicago.edu/forwarding. You may use the related e-mail options pages to create up to five personal aliases.
CNetIDs

Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/cnetid
Regenstein Library, Room 100F
2-3344

WebShare
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/webshare

E-mail
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/email

Where do I get help?
If you’re having trouble with your computer and you live in a residence hall, contact Residential Computing for assistance. If you don’t live in a residence hall, contact the NSIT Support Line for assistance. The University also offers a variety of free training classes on software and multimedia products.

NSIT Support Line
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/support
E-mail: support@uchicago.edu
4-TECH (4-8324)

Residential Computing
Web: housing.uchicago.edu/residential_computing
E-mail: rescom@uchicago.edu

IT Training
Web: training.uchicago.edu
Email: it-training@uchicago.edu
4-UCIT (4-8248)

Can I do anything I want with my computer?
No. If your computer is connected to the University network, it is subject to University information technology policies, including the Eligibility and Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology (EAUP) and the File Sharing policy. In general, the EAUP declares that any equipment owned by the University or connected to any University network is intended for University purposes, such as education and research, and may not be used in ways that interfere with those purposes. The policy also provides information about eligibility for University network resources and restrictions for activities that are illegal, threaten the University’s status, or interfere with the use of resources by other members of the University community. The File Sharing policy requires that you not share copyrighted material over the University network via Web pages, peer-to-peer file sharing software, e-mail, or other means. This applies to all computers that access the University network. Please be sure that you have rights for any material you are making available or sharing on the University network. If you're not sure it's legal, it may well not be.

Policies
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/policies