Information Technology Facilities

On this page: for students - for students with disabilities - for staff - for staff with disabilities - user feedback

Overview

Most technologically-based equipment and systems are implemented and supported by the Information Technology Department. For example:

computers
photocopiers and printers
audio equipment
video equipment
language laboratories
telephone systems
IT provision for those with disabilities

The IT Department does not run building security or mains electricity, which is the responsibility of the Estates Department (use this link to report a fault to the Estates Department). High volume printing is managed by the Marketing Department, and photography by the Percival David Foundation.

The Audio Visual section of the IT Department has its own Web site where you will find details of AV facilities.

The use of IT facilities is governed by IT Policies, and users should pay particular attention to the Conditions of Use for IT Systems.

Facilities for Students

All students at SOAS have access to computing facilities. The majority of computers for student use are located in open access rooms on the ground and lower ground floor of the main SOAS building. The Vernon Square campus is also equipped with computers for students.

There are about 170 computers for students on taught courses with a further 50 reserved for research students. These computers are Windows-based PCs. Laser printers are provided for hard copy output.

The School is committed to continual improvement of student computing facilities in both quality and quantity of provision, although an inceasing number of students prefer to provide their own computers. Advice on suitable specifications is available, but the School does not provide support for personally owned computers.

Specialist computing facilities are available. These include a multi-media laboratory, language facilities, and equipment useful to those with disabilities.

Students with disabilities have assistive technology available to them within the library in room D13 and in the Students Union Office at Vernon Square. The computers in D13 cater for sight and motor impairments, while both D13 and the Vernon Square computers give assistance to those with dyslexia and dyspraxia. These computers can be booked via Jane Phillipson jp6@soas.ac.uk for D13 and through Ambie Rene ar40@soas.ac.uk for Vernon Square.

There are desks in the open access computer rooms that are high enough for wheelchair access.

All student computers are equipped with mind mapping software, and network points are available for users with their own equipment to access the School's network and the Internet.

IT equipment, such as laptops, PDAs, scanners and printers, may be borrowed by those with specific disabilities with the consent of the School's Disabilities Officer. Please note that the The IT Department provide and maintain the equipment but are not qualified to assess your needs.

Electronic mail accounts are available to all students after registration. Account holders can also access their email remotely if they have suitably equipped computers.

Students living in the Halls of Residence can plug a suitably equipped computer into the School's network. Network connections are available in the library and other selected locations for laptop users.

Printing facilities are available in the main computer rooms. A charge is made for printing but students are given an initial allocation of printer credits, after which each student has pay for additional credits.

A programme of IT skills training courses are provided for students to enrole on at nominal cost. These normally take place in the evening and include topics such as Word Processing, Email, and Internet browsing. The detailed programme is published in late September.

Photocopying facilities are available principally in the library.

Facilities for staff

All office-based staff, whether academic or support, are equipped with a networked desktop computer and have access to printing facilities. manual and part-time staff have access to these facilities on a shared basis.

E-mail accounts are available to all staff. All networked computers have access to the Internet for services such as the World Wide Web.

Specialist or less-used facilities (for example, scanning equipment) are provided centrally. Contact the IT Support Desk if you have a paticular requirement and someone will advise you.

Staff have access to printing and copying facilities, the cost of which is paid by the School for legitimate use.

Support is available during office hours from the IT Department for approved systems (see IT Policies ANNEX 4 for current list)

Staff with disabilities have their IT needs catered for on an individual basis. You should first discuss your needs with your manager and obtain any specialist advice on assistive technologies. The IT Department are not qualified to assess your needs, but we will do our best to respond to requests for appropriate hardware or software to enable you to do your job.

Some equipment is available for loan or for hire. Small items such as tape recorders that are used by students with staff supervision, or for field research, may be borrowed free of charge. More expensive items such as computers may be hired from the IT Department, though stock does vary and may not be available. The current scale of charges is:

Item	Charge (per month)	Notes
desktop computer, Macintosh or PC	£100 for PC less than 1 year old, £50 during second and subsequent years	Contact Helpdesk for availability
laptop computer	£200	Contact Helpdesk for availability

User feedback

If you find an IT facility to be inadequate or you know of an imminent change that needs upgraded facilities or services, you can send immediate feedback to the IT Department, or if you need to request additional resources, follow this procedure.