Computing Resources
Center For Teaching and Learning
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL ) partners with educational researchers to lead the implementation and dissemination of cutting-edge, evidence-based, interactive instructional strategies that leverage educational technology to improve student learning and success. CTL works with Information Technology Services (ITS) to support the University’s current learning management system through workshops and training and to research new course management possibilities for the future. CTL partners with academic units to further the University’s commitment to technology-enhanced instruction.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Information Technology Services (ITS ) provides the core computing, networking, telecommunication, and systems infrastructure at the University. ITS is committed to providing a diverse set of secure, high-quality products and services that support and enhance the academic mission of the institution.
Access to and use of campus information technology resources is governed by University policies and state and federal law. All students, faculty members, staff members, and other users are responsible for knowing and abiding by these regulations on computer use.
Although ITS is the largest on-campus provider of information technology resources, individual schools, colleges, and departments also offer technology services for their students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Acceptable Use Policy. The University’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP ) provides students, faculty, staff, and University affiliates with guidelines on appropriate and legal uses of computers and information technology at the University. The policy outlines each person’s responsibility when accessing and using these resources; it includes the University’s position on downloading copyrighted materials.
Violating the AUP can lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action and criminal prosecution. All members of the University community are urged to become familiar with the AUP .
Campus Computer Store. Conveniently located in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), the Campus Computer Store allows the University community to purchase hardware, software, and accessories at special academic prices. The Campus Computer Store is an authorized Apple and Dell Service Center. ITS negotiates to distribute Microsoft software in the store for the lowest available cost.
Canvas. Canvas , a cloud-hosted learning management system (LMS) from Instructure is the University’s primary LMS. It offers a Web 2.0 interface, cloud storage, and continuous updates throughout the year. Canvas enables students to connect and communicate with their instructors and classmates online, as well as access class materials, engage in discussion threads, receive assignments, and learn in a media rich environment.
Cellular Service on Campus. Cellular coverage is essential for the daily needs of the campus. To make it easier and more affordable to stay connected, a number of cellular discounts have been negotiated exclusively for members of the University community.
EID. Each member of the University community is provided with an electronic identification, or EID, that is used to access high-security online campus services and transactions. A UT EID is required for all secure electronic transactions at the University, including registering for classes, claiming a University e-mail address, and accessing the University Library’s online resources. Guest EIDs are available for job applicants, prospective students, and others and cannot be used for secure transactions. Before acquiring an EID, users must read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy . Self-service tools allow users to manage their UT EIDs online.
Flawn Academic Center. The Flawn Academic Center (FAC ), which is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week during the regular semester, offers flexible study spaces, easy collaboration, and computer access. Students and others in the campus community are invited to conduct research, write papers, and use the Internet.
For instructions on printing in the computer labs, see UTprint Service .
ID Center. The ID Center , located on the first floor of the Flawn Academic Center, is responsible for creating proximity-enabled ID cards and upgrading users’ electronic identification (EID) to allow full access to online services. Students must present a driver’s license, passport, or other form of government-issued identification to receive a University ID card. To upgrade an EID, students must be at least eighteen years of age or accompanied by a guardian.
ITS Help Desk. The ITS Help Desk provides a central point of contact for all technical support services. Whether the problem is related to e-mail, EID, wireless, or some other technical questions, ITS Help Desk consultants are available to provide support and troubleshooting by telephone, e-mail, chat, or on a walk-in basis. The ITS Help Desk also provides expert consulting for advanced questions.
Mailing lists. Mailing lists are forums for teaching, collaboration, discussion, entertainment, announcements, and more. Messages are sent directly to subscribers and are read with e-mail programs like Outlook or Thunderbird. Discussions on mailing lists are usually closed among subscribers.
Public Internet Access. ITS provides the campus community with wireless access to the University's network, UTnet, as well as to the Internet. The new "utexas" Wi-Fi network was launched in March 2015, replacing the old network. Wireless connectivity is available in most campus buildings.
Current students, faculty, staff, and official visitors can get access by logging in using their UT EIDs and passwords. Each member of the University community is provided with a defined amount of network bandwidth to use each week. Additional bandwidth may be purchased online.
Qualtrics Survey Tool. Qualtrics , a generalized survey service, permits the creation of survey instruments, distribution of the surveys, data storage, and analysis. Qualtrics is user-friendly and able to handle complex designs. Students using Qualtrics are limited to 1000 responses per survey.
Resnet. The campus Residence Hall Network, or Resnet , provides high-speed Internet access for students living in on-campus residence halls and across the campus wireless system. The service connects to the campus network as well as the Internet. Access instructions for Resnet are given on the Web site .
University Blog Service. The University Blog Service , which uses the WordPress platform, is available for use by all students, faculty, and staff. Blogs can be created by, and are available for, individuals, groups, projects, or departments.
UTBox. UTBox cloud storage is a campus-wide file sharing service for business and academic purposes. It offers 150 GB (gigabyte) storage and file share accounts, a secure way for sharing files across campus, and easy synching between a desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet device.
UT Direct. UT Direct is a customizable University portal that provides personalized information based on EID. Users may access information about registration, classes, tuition bills and financial aid, and other official University business.
UTmail. UTmail provides UT Austin students, alumni, faculty, and staff with a University affiliated e-mail address in the @utexas.edu domain. Those who opt-in to the service can choose their e-mail address and have 30 GB of included storage that can be used across their UTmail and Google Drive accounts. In addition, UTmail provides e-mail for life—students can keep their e-mail addresses after they graduate.
E-mail is recognized as an official means of communication from the University to students. Policies are given in Use of E-mail for Official Correspondence to Students, Appendix M .
UTprint. UTprint is a convenient way for students to print documents when they need them. The student simply logs in with his or her UT EID and prints to one of the University printers available in labs and buildings across campus. Items can be printed in black and white or color and are purchased using Bevo Bucks.
Texas Advanced Computing Center
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC ) is one of the nation’s leading supercomputing centers. TACC enables discoveries that advance science and society through the application of advanced computing technologies, including high-performance computing, scientific visualization, and massive data storage/archival systems and software. TACC’s technologies enhance the capabilities of University faculty members, staff members, and students, and TACC’s computational experts help researchers and students use these technologies most effectively. Through regional and national partnerships, including the University of Texas Research Cyberinfrastructure (UTRC) initiative and the National Science Foundation’s Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), TACC resources and services are made available to the national open science research community, but UT Austin researchers have unique access to TACC systems and staff. TACC staff also conduct research and development to produce new advanced computing technologies and techniques that increase the performance, usability, and reliability of advanced computing systems.