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Information Technology - the future is now

When discussing computer technology, many people refer to it as "the wave of the future." For the UCSB community, the future is here, as information technology is playing an increasingly important role on our campus. Utilizing this resource will be essential throughout your years as an undergraduate student, as the ways in which you communicate with your professors, friends, and many university offices will be shaped by your use of computers.

UCSB provides a number of ways for students to have access to the internet on campus. Utilizing this resource will be essential to the research, writing, and communication you do throughout your years as a student at the University.

Open-Access Computing:

"NetStation" terminals are located in various places around campus and provide internet access including access to U-mail, your student records through the GOLD (Gaucho On-Line Data) System and other web-based campus information systems. These open-access computers can be found in the following locations:

Student Affairs
Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS)
Counseling and Career Services
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Office of International Students & Scholars
Office of the Registrar
Office of Student Life
Student Health Services
Student Resource Building (SRB)
Women's Center
Residence Halls: Some residence halls are equipped with open-access computer labs available for use to all student residents, useful for completing assignments and using the internet.
UCen: The UCen has open-access computers in the lobby and on the upper level

Wireless Internet:

UCSB Wireless is quickly becoming more pervasive on campus. Access is available on campus in the University Center (UCen), Campbell Hall, Davidson Library and Student Affairs (SAASB and SRB) for students who have wireless devices (laptops, PDAs, etc.).

At NetStations, you can use the GOLD System to:

see your Academic History (grades) at UCSB
view your class schedule
update your student addresses and phone numbers
check your financial aid
search for classes in the Schedule of Classes
view the Registrar's Academic Calendar
search the student directory

At NetStations, you can also do the following:

create a UCSB email account
send and receive email
see if a book is available at the Library (using Melvyl or Pegasus)
see what is happening on campus by viewing an on-line Campus Events Calendar
search UCSB websites including major departmental sites and the online General Catalog
search for student organizations
access the World Wide Web

You've got u-mail

Most UCSB students are comfortable using the Internet and electronic mail and prefer to use these tools in conducting their university business. GOLD is UCSB's web-based system that students use to register for classes, update their addresses, and view their academic records. U-Mail is UCSB's student email service. The use of electronic mail for communicating with students is required for many university business processes. For example, many UCSB professors use U-Mail to communicate with their students outside of the classroom, and administrative departments increasingly use U-Mail for business formerly conducted on paper. You'll need to activate and maintain your U-Mail account to have a successful academic career at UCSB.

U-Mail accounts can be activated online at www.umail.ucsb.edu. Students who prefer to maintain email accounts elsewhere can easily have their U-Mail forwarded to their preferred email service. See www.umail.ucsb.edu/usage/forwarding/ for details.

Many UCSB students have personal computers, and support is available to financial aid students for the purchase of a computer. However, a personal computer is not required to access U-Mail; students can use computers in the library and in other labs on campus to access both GOLD and U-Mail. The Office of the Registrar is available to help students in person (1105 SAASB), over the phone (893-4165) or via email (registrar@sa.ucsb.edu).

U-Mail capabilities offer yet another convenient way for students to contact the Office of the Registrar.

For further information or to activate your account visit our web site at www.umail.ucsb.edu or come by the U-Mail Help Desk, Phelps 1523; 893-5542.