For a full list of all labs, see: http://pages.charlotte.edu/labs/
Computer labs in Liberal Arts & Sciences fall into 3 primary categories:
- Student fees-supported labs
- Departmental labs (supported)
- Departmental labs (unsupported)
Student fees-supported labs
Most computer classrooms in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are student-fees supported labs. That means that hardware is replaced on a regular schedule using funding provided by Student Fees. (Currently funding is available every four years, but it can be five or even six years between refresh cycles.) Specialty software needed for the lab computers must be funded by the department. Standard software (including the computer operating system, Microsoft Office, EndNote, etc.) is provided by the University or the college.
Departmental labs (supported)
In rare occasions, there is a need (usually research-related) for faculty to maintain a collection of computers for purposes that do not allow for the campus standard machines to be used. These installations can be marginally supported by TST members. Support contracts should be the primary form of hardware support. Software support will vary depending on the installation. Any installation of computers for ongoing purposes must be reviewed and approved by the dean’s office. Support for installations that have not been approved will be withheld at the discretion of the dean.
Departmental labs (unsupported)
It is not uncommon for faculty and/or staff to gather a number of used machines for departmental purposes. In the best of scenarios, using equipment that is out of warranty can create a tremendous demand for support. In some cases (when older machines are used) such installations pose a threat to network security. There is no official support for this type of installation on either the campus or college level. The replacement of these machines will be treated as a request for a new computer lab. There is no “precedence” that is established through the use of old equipment. The request for new lab space will be examined on its merits alone.
OneIT Responsibilities
For supported labs, OneIT staff have been assigned to perform the following duties:
- Coordination of lab software image creation
- Receipt and storage of software licensing information
- Receipt and storage of installation media
- Requesting of image changes from client faculty
- Incorporation of image changes into campus image
- Actual imaging of lab machines
- Anticipation and resolution of software licensing conflicts
- Identification and notification of OS-related changes to campus image that will affect departmental software (e.g. create incompatibility)
- Yearly contact with teaching faculty to determine curriculum-driven software upgrade schedule
- Representation of department in college-wide lab software upgrade processes