How to request changes to computing facilities

To request changes to our computing facilities, hardware, or installed software, or to make suggestions, please keep the following in mind:

• In general, the computer support staff's initial job is to precisely understand the request (which may involve us asking you some questions) and study the resource cost and impact, and then to direct your request to the appropriate party. For example, the computer support staff neither has money nor can authorize the spending of grant monies or other monies (e.g., to purchase software or hardware), nor can we engage in a time-consuming or significant system-altering project without discussion, planning, and appropriate approval.
• Therefore, please keep in mind that your request may be passed around to many different eyes in the department: you will probably want to make sure it is polite, relevant (have you checked whether the requested software is already installed?), complete (have you indicated software versions, vendor names, web links or contact information?), and comprehensive (who will benefit, why is this needed, what adverse effects or future support issues do you envision, and what grant or other funding sources can cover the costs?).
• Many of our systems are imaged off a master image, and individual systems are re-imaged only between semesters (Spring, Summer, Fall). In particular, this applies to the computer classrooms Math 101 and Math 102. A requested change (e.g., for software to be installed in a computer classroom) needed in a particular semester must be received by us at least one month prior to the start of that semester. (We recommend submitting your requests as soon as possible, especially if it will require funding or other authorization.)
• The computer staff is here to help: requests we deem to not require authorization will simply be honored by us without further ado.

Ready to make your change request? Simply contact the computer support staff.