What You Need to Know: Campus Technology
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) provides the CU Boulder campus community with innovative, customer-focused IT support and core IT services. As your student gets ready to attend CU Boulder in the fall semester, OIT has provided tips and information to consider regarding your student’s technology needs and purchases.
IT Help
CU Boulder's IT Service Center can help answer any questions about campus technologies, including email, IdentiKey, software installation, campus Wi-Fi and more. Once your student arrives on campus, they will have access to drop-in support centers where Buff Techs can help troubleshoot issues on a device or help your student download software for class.
Bringing a Computer to Campus
CU Boulder strongly recommends all students bring a personal computer to campus if it is financially feasible. OIT provides a recommended hardware and software list, including a student shopping list to guide your student’s purchasing decisions. Before purchasing, double check with your student’s school or college to ensure there are no specific requirements.
The CU Book Store has partnered with Apple, Dell and Lenovo to offer discounted educational pricing on computers and software. We recommend laptops with a dual brand wireless card (2.4 or 5 GHz) for the best Wi-Fi experience.
Computer Labs and Facilities
If your student does not have a computer to bring to campus, they will have access to one when they arrive. Your student can easily use the computer labs throughout campus with a wide array of specialized software or rent a computer from the CU Book Store.
Software Licenses
CU Boulder students have access to Microsoft Office 365 (including downloads of Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and Google Apps for Education at no cost. Before purchasing other software, check to see what is available at a discounted rate through the OIT Site Licenses page or visit the CU Book Store’s software page.
Wi-Fi Access
Residence halls are equipped with Wi-Fi and wired internet. Ethernet jacks are available in each room; your student should plan to bring a 25-foot Ethernet cable with them so they are able to connect to the wired network. Wi-Fi is available in approximately 90% of all indoor building spaces on campus - view our instructions for connecting to the UCB Wi-Fi.
On-Campus Printing
OIT has 60 print stations spread out across campus for all of your student’s printing and scanning needs. They offer extremely easy ways to print right from your student’s own computer, USB drive, online storage services (Google Drive, One Drive, etc.) and more! Print stations are available to students in many academic buildings, common spaces and residence halls and offer a reasonable per page rate. Check out more details on the OIT service page.