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.
More information about CTL can be found at http://ctl.utexas.edu/ .
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Information Technology Services (ITS) (http://www.utexas.edu/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, published at http://www.utexas.edu/cio/policies/ .
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), http://security.utexas.edu/policies/aup.html , 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. More information is available at http://security.utexas.edu/policies/aup.html .
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. More information is available at http://computerstore.utexas.edu/ .
Computer Labs. The Flawn Academic Center (FAC) first floor contains desktop computers and other equipment dedicated to student use. With its central location on campus, the FAC provides students with easy access to the Internet and University information resources. Computers are accessed with your UT EID. The service is provided at no additional cost. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/faclabs/ .
In order to print in this facility, you must have a Bevo Bucks account. For instructions on printing in the labs, see UTprint Service at http://www.utexas.edu/its/utprint .
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 (http://security.utexas.edu/policies/aup.html ). Self-service tools allow users to manage their UT EIDs online. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/eid/ .
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. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/idcenter/ .
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. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/helpdesk/ .
Learning Management System (LMS). Canvas, a cloud-hosted LMS from Instructure, is the University’s primary LMS. Canvas 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. ITS also provides infrastructure and consulting support for Blackboard, the University’s legacy online LMS. Blackboard remains in use for a number of courses across campus, but will be retired on August 31, 2015. Beginning with the fall 2014 semester, for the first time, all classes will be created in Canvas. More information is available at http://canvas.utexas.edu/
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. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/mailinglists/ .
Public Internet Access. ITS operates the University’s wireless network. Current students, faculty, and staff can gain access by logging in using their UT EIDs and passwords. University Affiliates, including official visitors, must be sponsored by their hiring department. Students must purchase a bandwidth subscription beginning fall 2014. Faculty, staff, official visitors and other special roles (e.g. part time student employees, major fellowships, etc) are provided a default bandwidth allocation. Additional bandwidth may be purchased online. Guests may utilize the third party wireless network (currently attwifi) through an online purchase or coupon provided to them. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/network/ .
Qualtrics Survey Tool. Qualtrics is a generalized survey service that enables students to create and distribute surveys as well as store and analyze data. Unlike other tools, Qualtrics meets security requirements and is approved for most Category I data (including HIPAA, FERPA, and IRB). Qualtrics is user-friendly and able to handle complex designs. Simple surveys can be produced in minutes. More information is available at: https://www.utexas.edu/its/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 brings both wired Ethernet and wireless connectivity to students, with a default bandwidth subscription automatically included in the housing room rate. Additional bandwidth may be purchased. Access instructions for Resnet are given at http://resnet.utexas.edu/ .
University Blog Service. The service uses the WordPress platform and provides a Web address in the utexas.edu domain. It is available to students at no cost and can be used for individuals, groups, and projects. It does not meet FERPA Requirements for Category-1 data and should not be used for courses. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/blog/ .
UTBox. This campus-wide cloud-based storage service provides 50 GB (gigabyte) storage and file share accounts that are safe for storing Category I data. Important files can be synched between desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet devices and kept current with apps for iOS, Android, and Blackberry. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/cloudstorage/ .
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. More information is available at http://utdirect.utexas.edu/ .
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. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/email/ .
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 new 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. More information is available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/utprint/ .
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. More information about TACC is published by the center at http://www.tacc.utexas.edu/ .