What you pay for and what you get

There is a strong connection between the quality of technology services and the associated costs. There is also a wide variation in the ways campuses charge for these services. To evaluate the benefits you will receive and to compare costs, you'll need answers to these questions.

Fees and expenses

4.1 What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus? What does it cover?

In 2007-08, MCC full-time students are required to pay a $60 technology fee per semester; the fee is prorated for part-time students. This fee helps ensure students will have the latest technological resources available to them on campus. MCC’s technology fee is well under those fees mandated by other colleges.

4.2 Will you be required to purchase your own computer?

Students are not required to purchase their own computer. Students may bring their own laptop computers on campus; wired network access is provided in the R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center and the Brighton Campus Electronic Learning Center. Wireless networking for student-owned laptops is available throughout MCC.

4.3 Does the campus make computing and network access financially accessible? Is special student pricing offered for computers and peripheral equipment?

Students are able to use public access computers without any additional technology fees. The campus bookstore offers computer software at educational discounts to MCC students. The bookstore also sells laptop and desktop computers through a local vendor, Seneca Data.

Bookstore: http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/stucenter/bookstore.htm

Seneca Data Computers: http://www.senecadata.com

4.4 Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in residence hall rooms or for off-campus access?

Each residence hall student has an Ethernet network connection in his or her room. Residents are not charged any additional fees for this service. Off-campus students must obtain their own Internet connection through an Internet Service Provider; MCC does not provide any kind of off-campus connection to the Internet. 

Technical support

4.5 What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?

MCC recommends and purchases departmental and lab computers using the latest industry standards. MCC utilizes Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Office Professional Suite and Outlook. Additionally, over 400 individual software applications that are needed to support specific department curricula are available in the Electronic Learning Centers.

There are no mandated minimum computer standards for residence hall students. It is recommended that students who wish to use the Internet from the residence halls use a minimum of an IBM compatible PC running Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system.

4.6 What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and when are they available?

The Student Help Desk provides assistance with the student e-mail system and residence hall connectivity issues. The Student Help Desk hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm. Residence hall students may make an appointment with a student technician, should they need to have someone troubleshoot a connectivity issue.

4.7 Does the campus have a plan for keeping its hardware and software current, and if so, what is the replacement cycle?

Yes. The College is committed to placing the most up-to-date computers in the Electronic Learning Centers. These computers are upgraded every two years through the Monroe Community College Technology Plan. The academic classrooms and laboratories are upgraded every three years. Printers are replaced every three to five years. Smart classroom technology is upgraded every four years.

4.8 If you bring your own computer to school, what kind of technical support can you expect from the campus?

Students may contact the student help desk for assistance with wired/wireless network connectivity, student e-mail, access to student file storage space and college shared file access. College staff does not provide support for hardware upgrades or software on student-owned computers. Residence Hall students may schedule appointments with a student technician to assist with troubleshooting specific connectivity issues. Electronic Learning Center staff will provide one-on-one assistance in computer labs with software questions.

Other services

4.9 How does the campus support printing for students, and is there a charge for this service?

MCC students print free of charge from all Electronic Learning Centers and departmental computer labs. Students printing from the MCC libraries are charged $0.10 per page and can utilize their debit card for that fee.

4.10 Does the campus provide wireless network coverage? If so, how much of the campus has wireless connectivity?

Yes. The college is 99% wireless.