Tech Guide

• A notebook computer. You can find recommended and minimum specifications for laptops at Computer Recommendations. There you will also find links to online stores for vendors offering discounts to Denison students including Apple, Dell, and HP. Tip: Denison provides Microsoft Office at no charge and recommends use of built-in or free versions of antivirus/antispyware software – no need to buy those!
• A mobile phone. Student residence hall rooms do not have telephones so a mobile phone is highly recommended. Many students choose smartphones for their cell phones.
• A surge protector. ITS strongly recommends a surge protector to protect your electronic devices from power spikes.

• A tablet. While tablets are great for reading and media consumption, students typically find tablets are a welcome addition to a laptop computer but are not a substitute for one.
• A personal printer. Since Denison provides printers for student use in many locations across campus along with a generous print allowance, many students indicate that they don’t feel the need for a personal printer. However, some students like the instant print availability and color printing capability that a personal printer offers. If you are considering bringing a personal printer, please keep the following in mind:
  • You cannot connect a printer to Denison’s wireless network, you just use a printer USB cable to connect your computer to your printer. ITS can provide one if needed.
  • The cost of ink cartridges or toner cartridges means there is often a high price-per-page rate when printing on a personal inkjet or laser printer.

A personal wireless router. Due to interference concerns with our service, we cannot permit students to connect personal wireless access points or routers.

• Free Microsoft Office and select other software. You can download Microsoft Office and a number of site-licensed academic software programs via MyDenison at no charge.
• WiFi everywhere. Wireless network service is available throughout campus.
• Computers for student use. There are over 650 university computers available for student use in classrooms, computer labs, and the Doane Library. These computers feature a wide array of software including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud applications, and key academic applications like Atlas.ti, SPSS, and Mathematica to name a few. Denison is constantly enriching technology spaces to provide students with leading-edge technology tools. A few highlights include…
  • Nine Bloomberg Terminals that provide access to Bloomberg financial and real-time data.
  • High-tech tools for artists in cinema, dance, music, studio art and theatre in the Mulberry MIX lab in Fine Arts.

  Several labs are available 24/7 with your Denison ID card including the Mulberry MIX lab and the Fellows 100 lab. Denison also provides Chromebooks for short-term checkout from the Library.

• Widespread printer availability and generous print allowance. Printers are available in many locations on campus. In the most popular locations, you will find Canon multifunction devices that allow you to print, scan, and copy in color or black & white. You can print to these printers from lab computers or your own laptop or mobile device. Denison uses a print release system to encourage responsible printing. Each year, you will receive a free print allowance equal to approximately 800 double-sided B&W pages. If your print allowance gets low before the end of the academic year, you will receive an automatic notification and can request additional printing funds be added at no charge.
• MyDenison. As a Denison student, MyDenison will be your online home. MyDenison provides access to your email, calendar, grades and class schedules, course registration, dining menus, community announcements, Denison event calendars, software downloads, Denison’s course management system, and more. You can access MyDenison from the Denison Home Page or go to my.denison.edu.
• Email, calendar, and online document sharing. Denison Apps is based on Google Workspace - a powerful set of online apps that facilitate collaboration including Gmail, Calendar, Chat/Spaces, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. You can access Denison Apps using your BigRedID at apps.denison.edu or through MyDenison. You can access Denison Apps using your BigRedID at apps.denison.edu or through MyDenison.
• Cloud storage - Google Drive in Denison Apps. Within Denison Apps (Google), you have unlimited cloud storage. ITS recommends you set up Google’s Drive for Desktop app which allows you to access and organize files on Google Drive using Finder on a Mac and File Explorer on Windows. By using Drive for Desktop and storing your files in Google Drive you ensure they aren’t lost if something happens to your computer.
• Media Equipment for checkout from the library. Denison provides a wide variety of technology equipment that can be checked out from the Library including Chromebooks, digital SLR cameras and lens kits, tripods, digital audio recorders, and microphones.
• Support! The ITS Service Desk consults with you on Denison technology services, common software, and even questions about your personal devices. For personal devices, this includes consultation for virus/malware removal, operating system upgrades, software installation/removal, and best effort data backups/file recovery. While the ITS Service Desk cannot provide hands-on assistance for personal devices, if your issue cannot be resolved through consultation the ITS Service Desk can provide information on local resources and possible next steps. See the Questions section for hours, locations, and contact information.