Computing Facilities and Technology Services
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Information Technology Services (ITS) at UCSC provides a broad spectrum of IT-related resources, services, and support to students, faculty, and staff in the areas of computing, network, telephones, media services, information systems security, web, email, and instructional technology.
ITS operates the campus network, which interconnects computers, workstations, instructional computing labs, and computer-equipped classrooms with each other and the Internet. In addition, wireless access is available across campus. ITS also provides the campus with technical services and computer support through the ITS Support Center.
Purchasing a Computer?
If you are planning on buying a new computer, UCSC recommends purchasing a laptop with both wired and wireless network capability. The campus supports both PC and Mac computers. An excellent source for purchasing computers and computer products is the campus Bay Tree Bookstore, (831) 459-2082. Through university-negotiated contracts, pricing is almost always below outside market prices.
UCSC Account (CruzID) and Email
All students, faculty, and staff have a UCSC account called CruzID and a UCSC email account powered by Google. Your CruzID is part of your email address, e.g., cruzid@ucsc.edu. All official UC and UCSC communication is emailed to the @ucsc.edu address. In addition to email, CruzID gives individuals access to many campus systems and applications. More information is available at UCSC Email Services.
Residential Network
ITS provides in-room Internet access (called ResNet) to students living on campus. Network services are available to undergraduate and graduate students living in university housing (except for the Camper Park). For assistance with network connections, contact ResNet at resnet@ucsc.edu or call (831) 459-HELP (4357).
Computing Labs for Drop-in Use and Academic Classes
ITS manages 12 computer labs throughout the campus. These labs have more than 300 computers available for students to use that include PC, Mac, and Sun workstations. Wireless access is available in all labs. More extensive lab information, including hardware and software specifications and hours of operation, is available at the Computer Labs page.
Academic Course Materials on the Web
Canvas is the campus online course-management system used to create sophisticated web-based course materials to supplement, but not replace, classroom instruction. Canvas uses a web browser as the interface for the course.
Faculty using Canvas can incorporate a wide variety of tools in their course site, such as a course calendar, student conferencing system, electronic mail, group projects with student-created web pages, and quizzes. Outside of class time, students can use Canvas to view course materials, participate in web-based class discussions, collaborate on student group projects, and take quizzes.
Disability Accommodations for Instruction
UCSC computing labs have common adaptive technologies—such as enlarged type for students with low vision and Dvorak keyboards for students with repetitive strain injuries. If you have a disability and require adaptive or assistive technology to use lab computers, library facilities, or other campus services, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) so that they can coordinate services for you. You can also reach the DRC at (831) 459-2089 (voice), or (831) 459-4806 (TTY).
ITS Support Center for Technical and Computer Help
The ITS Support Center is open to all students, staff, and faculty and provides general computer help, assistance with CruzID accounts and email, and other technical-support needs. The Support Center is located at 54 Kerr Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Computing Policies
Individuals using UCSC computing services must comply with the University of California, state, and federal policies and laws. These policies define how ITS will approach security, how faculty, staff, and students are to approach security, and how certain situations will be handled.