Students
FAQ Contents
FAQ for prospective students to computing resources
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
This guide for prospective students is based on a consumer guide published by EDUCAUSE. It is designed to help you compare UW-Madison’s technology resources for students, faculty and staff with those of other institutions.
UW-Madison is a longstanding member of EDUCAUSE, an international, nonprofit association promoting the introduction and use of information resources and technologies in higher education.
Our guide is divided into four sections:
Academic Experience
This section helps you understand how technology is used in
classes generally at UW-Madison and more particularly in your areas
of interest or major, and the extent to which faculty use these
technologies to interact with students.
Administrative Experience
All students need to spend some portion of their time transacting
the business of their college experience, such as registering for
classes, dropping and adding courses, applying for and paying for
student loans, purchasing books, and more.
Social Experience
Campus social and extracurricular activities play an important part
in forming a more complete educational experience, and technology
can play an important role in creating and managing these social
communities.
Requirements, Services & Costs
There is a strong interaction between the quality and extent of
services a campus offers and the costs associated with this infrastructure.
There is also a tremendous variation in the ways campuses charge
for these services.
Academic Experience
• What percentage of campus courses use electronic information to enhance the course (for example, syllabi, reading lists, discussion groups, demonstrations)?
Just under 60% of campus courses offer course information electronically. The UW-Madison also offers Learn@UW, a new Web-based tool for creating and managing e-learning environments. Based on Desire2Learn (D2L) software for online course development, Learn@UW can help faculty and instructional staff create course Web sites, develop an online learning environment that fosters student interactions and collaboration, and efficiently manage and coordinate course administration.
• What percentage of faculty use e-mail regularly?
Campus computing surveys indicate that at least 85% of faculty and staff use email. On a typical day, campus mail servers process more than one million messages.
• Are technology resources available, used effectively to enhance the learning experience, and designed to prepare graduates in your major for technology use in their careers?
Yes. Students have easy access to a rich variety of technology resources. One is the campus Web portal, My UW-Madison, which provides a secure online gateway to campus services. My UW-Madison offers students seven categories, or tabs, that include personalized links to course information, instructional tools, library reserves, and other educational resources.
Another resource is WiscWorld, a suite of Internet-access software tools and antivirus software tailored for use by UW-Madison students.
Students can connect to the Internet using:
- ResNet, a high-speed network in residence halls
- a free dial-modem pool and convenient DSL and cable modem connections for off-campus users
- any of 15 general-access computer labs, which also provide laptop computers for checkout
- more than 50 computing kiosks at 18 campus locations
- the campus wireless network, available at various locations in 18 campus buildings.
Individual departments provide instruction in the use of technology tools in their disciplines, and the campus provides free training for students ranging from the use of basic desktop applications to advanced Web design.
Surveys indicate a very high level of satisfaction with services among students at UW-Madison.
• What library resources are available online (catalog, databases, special collections)?
UW-Madison has one of the 10 largest library systems in the United States, and its collections (more than six million volumes, four million microfilm items, and hundreds of thousands of government documents, maps, musical scores, and audiovisual and other materials) are distributed across more than 40 campus locations.
Students and faculty can search millions of library catalog records in MadCat, the online library catalog, to find a book or journal, learn where it is, and see if it is checked out. Users can also search 30 million citations in journal and information databases.
• What electronic reference materials are licensed and how accessible are they from outside the library (for example, in the residence halls or off-campus)?
UW-Madison Libraries owns more than 5,000 netLibrary eBooks, accessible through the MadCat online catalog, where they are cataloged and searchable with links directly to the e-book. In addition, licenses enable access to hundreds of bibliographical and full-text reference databases.
• How does the campus help students develop computer skills?
UW-Madison students can develop their computer skills in formal training programs, through self-study, and by using computers made available across the campus. Free training is available from the Software Training for Students program. Classes vary from basic desktop applications to advanced Web design. Computer workshops and short courses offer a greater variety of computing/programming training opportunities; fees are charged for these courses.
The Student Technical Training (STT) program teaches the technical and customer-service skills needed to support information technology (IT) in UW-Madison departments. Students take part in intensive one- or two-week training sessions, qualifying them for IT support jobs on campus and leading to more on-going, job-specific training while working for their new employers.
UW-Madison libraries offer free drop-in workshops that cover library resources and services, bibliographic database management software, using the Internet, and building Web pages.
Students can learn at their own pace with low-cost online training accessible from most Internet-connected computers.
Access to computing equipment is easy for students at UW-Madison’s 15 general-access computer labs (which also provide laptop computers for checkout) and at more than 50 computing kiosks in 18 locations around the campus.
• Does the campus allow students to receive credit for courses taken electronically from other sources?
In general, UW-Madison grants transfer credit for any course taken at a regionally accredited college or university if it applies to a student’s major and degree at UW-Madison. If the course is similar to a UW-Madison course, direct equivalent credit will be granted. If the course is not similar, elective credits in the relevant department will be granted.
• Does the campus have a specific computer/IT competency requirement for all undergraduates?
Although the University has no specific requirement for computer/IT competency for undergraduates, some departments and programs might. Students should become familiar with the specific requirements of the colleges and individual departments and programs.
• Are course reserves and other materials available online/via the Web site?
All UW-Madison library reserve materials are available via the My UW-Madison Web portal. The portal is personalized for each user, and the library/reserve page for each course contains links to online reserve readings and links to information about any books on reserve for the course in a campus library.
• What percentage of faculty has a networked computer available to them?
The 2003 Faculty/Staff Computing Survey indicates that all tenured and tenure-tracked faculty have access to computers made available through the lifecycle computer funding administered under the Provost’s Office on a four-year cycle.
Administrative Experience
• What information about admission and financial aid is available online, and can necessary forms be submitted electronically?
UW-Madison’s Office of Admissions and Office of Student Financial Services provide online extensive information on requirements and procedures for admission and opportunities for financial aid.
Undergraduate admissions applications can only be submitted in paper form. Online applications to the Graduate School are now encouraged, and only electronic applications will be accepted for the Fall 2005 term.
• Is the college catalogue, including important campus policies, available on the Web?
Yes. The Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs are online.
The Course Timetable on the Web provides course listings, times, locations, and other information. Open seats information is refreshed every 15 minutes during registration periods, providing a timely and accurate picture of class offerings and seats available. Web Timetable information is accessible by School/College, Department, and Timetable Search.
• Can a student access her personal student information/data online?
Yes. The campus Web portal, My UW-Madison, provides secure, individualized access to personal student information. Students can select from personalized links to information on grades, tuition account, financial aid, and housing, and gain access to Web mail and their calendar. The portal provides course information, instructional tools, library reserves, and other educational resources.
• Can a student find out his grades online or by phone at the end of a semester?
The Student Record tab on the campus Web portal, My UW-Madison, provides secure online access to grades for current and past semesters. Final grade reports are not available by phone and are no longer automatically mailed at the end of each term. Via My UW-Madison, students can request that a grade report be mailed to them. Mid-term grades are sent only via email to students on Monday of the eighth week.
• Is registration, including dropping and adding courses, processed electronically?
Students register for classes using the campus Web portal, My UW-Madison. The online enrollment system is available 24 hours a day from Monday through Saturday and after 12:00 noon on Sundays. Students are assigned an Enrollment Appointment Time and may register then or later. Students may gain access to the enrollment system more than once to complete their registration.
Students can add or drop courses using the Enrollment tab on My UW-Madison. Some permissions may be required in advance of course adds/drops using the portal.
• Can students pay bills, receive loans, make campus bookstore purchases using online procedures?
Students can pay tuition and fees only in person or by mail. Most types of financial aid, scholarships and loans are received electronically and applied directly to a student’s account to pay tuition and fee costs. Campus bookstore purchases are not available online.
• What campus and community services are covered by “smart cards” or “debit cards”?
UW-Madison’s Wiscard program uses the UW photo ID as a debit card for purchasing food, school supplies, textbooks, and much more at almost 40 campus locations. Wiscard is fast, convenient, safe, and flexible. Options include:
- Campus Cash: Accepted at numerous campus locations for buying textbooks, course supplies, and other items.
- Union Meal: A meal plan account for faculty, staff, and students who do not live in a residence hall that offers meals or food service.
- Housing Choice: A food service account available only to undergraduate students living in University Residence Halls.
Parents can use an online system to deposit funds in their son or daughter’s Wiscard account.
• What student information does the campus provide routinely to parents?
UW-Madison complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, which prohibits disclosure of student records information to a third party without written consent from the student. Parents are included in the FERPA definition of a third party. Therefore, UW-Madison cannot release to parents such information as grades and transcript copies without student consent.
Parents may obtain a copy of their son or daughter’s academic transcript by obtaining the son or daughter’s authorizing signature on a Transcript Request form.
Social Experience
• What percentage of students on this campus has full-time use of personal computers?
According to the 2003 Student Computing Survey, more than 90% of UW-Madison students own a computer. Supplementing this high level of ownership, the campus provides 15 general-access computer labs (which also provide laptop computers for checkout) and more than 50 computing kiosks at 18 campus locations. Many departments and programs also provide computer lab facilities.
• What is the ratio of public access computers to undergraduate enrollment?
The availability of computers in general-access and departmental labs may seem low on a per-capita basis (one public-access computer for about every 40 students). But ownership of computers by UW-Madison students is almost universal. Students use widely available lab computers and kiosks when they are away from their desktop or laptop computer. UW-Madison’s campus network (including widespread wireless accessibility) provides high-speed connectivity from residence halls, classroom buildings, and offices.
• What percentage of students uses e-mail and other software applications on a regular basis?
The 2003 Student Computing Survey indicates that 92% of UW-Madison students have a “primary” email account, and these tend to be UW addresses. On a typical day, campus mail servers process more than one million messages.
• Does the campus allow personal Web pages?
Yes. UW-Madison offers My Web Space, a Web hosting and file storage service available at no cost to UW-Madison students and registered student organizations. My Web Space provides 50 megabytes of free storage for students to store and edit their pages. Students can use this space to publish a personal home page and to store important files, such as homework, notes, papers, theses, dissertations, and graphic images.
• Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically?
Yes. The campus Web portal, My UW-Madison, provides search and directory features on its Front Page tab. In addition, the main campus Web site provides a directory search.
• Is there a campus code of behavior for use of computing and information resources?
UW-Madison’s Guidelines for Appropriate Use state that use of information technology must be consistent with the University’s mission and with its role as a public agency. The Guidelines and other information about appropriate use are available online at www.doit.wisc.edu/security/policies.
• What social activities and services are available over the Web?
The campus Web portal, My UW-Madison, includes a Campus Life tab providing information on campus news, events, and other opportunities. Students and registered student organizations can build Web pages with My Web Space, a Web hosting and file storage service available at no cost. Students can reserve the use of Wisconsin Union facilities for meetings and other events via email.
• Are there Web sites for student organizations and clubs, and are these linked to the campus home page?
Yes. The Campus Life tab on My UW-Madison includes a directory of registered student organizations. The Web address of these organizations is provided if available. Registered student organizations can also build and host a site at no cost on My Web Space, a Web hosting and file storage service.
Requirements, Services & Costs
• What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus and what does it cover?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison charges a fee equal to 1.5% of tuition. This fee covers technology-related services available to students including 15 general-access computer labs, over 50 communication kiosks located around campus, software training, Internet connections, Help Desk, and more.
• Are students required to purchase their own computer?
No, students are not required to own a computer; however, student survey findings show that approximately 92% of students do. UW-Madison offers over 1000 computers for student use in general-access computer labs located across campus. In addition, communication kiosks around campus provide students with quick access to the Web.
• How does the campus make computing and network access financially available to all students?
Use of the computers in the general-access labs and the communication kiosks is free to all registered UW-Madison students.
• Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in the dorms or for off-campus access?
No, the student technology fee covers network access both on campus and off. Access for students in University Housing is covered by Housing fees.
• If I bring my own computer equipment to school, what kind of support can I expect from the campus?
A Help Desk staffed 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., training classes, email services, online calendar, Web space and Internet access are available at no additional charge. Computer repair and software installation are offered on an hourly fee basis.
• What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?
UW-Madison does not require specific hardware and software standards; however, the Division of Information Technology offers basic, standard and optimum recommendations on both Macintosh and Windows computers to students, faculty and staff on their Web site. These recommendations are continuously updated. In general, software support is offered for current software versions and one previous version.
• What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and during what hours of operation?
A Walk-in Help Desk is available from 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. M-F; Web, email and phone support is available 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week Training classes are offered during a variety of hours, including nights and weekends.
• Does the campus have a plan for keeping the hardware current, and, if so, what is the replacement cycle?
The general-access computer labs are currently on a three-year cycle for computer hardware exclusive of monitors, which are replaced about every five years. Scanners and printers are replaced as needed.
• How does the campus support printing for the students, and is there a charge for this?
Black and white laser printing is available in the general-access computer labs for $0.07 per page, and is partially subsidized by the student technology fee. Color laser printing is available for $0.35 - $0.50 per page, depending on quality.