Computer Services
5.1 LAW SCHOOL SERVICES
Computer Lab: The Law School operates a computer lab on the third floor of the Library (Room 305B). The lab contains ten computers running Microsoft Windows. All computers have Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Secure Shell software. The lab contains two laser printers and a scanner. The Lab Manager is generally on duty weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional coverage is provided on evenings and weekends. If you have questions, you can see the Lab Manager, or send an email to lab_support@law.uchicago.edu.
Printing: Students currently enrolled at the Law School are allowed to print 1,200 pages a year free of charge. After the first 1,200 pages, students are charged 5 cents per page. Members of Journals and Moot Court and Research Assistants are allotted an additional allocation for printing jobs connected to those projects. Questions regarding printing accounts should be directed to the Director of IT.
Training: The Law School provides training on law-specific computer services, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. In addition, throughout the year the Library periodically offers students demonstrations on useful law databases- and business-related law Internet sites, as well as sessions on preparation for practice. Also, the Office of the Dean of Students and the Library periodically host Microsoft Office Training sessions, which are designed to show students how to maximize their effectiveness using Microsoft Office products.
The Law School Local Area Network: All study carrels, reading tables on the north side of the Wilson Reading Room, and tables in the book stacks on the upper floors of the library have Ethernet connections, which allow students to connect to the local area network and gain access to laser printers, the Internet, Lexis, and Westlaw. To connect your laptop to the network, you need a 10/100baseT Ethernet adapter and cable. Most Apple and PC laptops have built-in Ethernet support, but some laptops require a PC card (PCMCIA) adapter. Many of the student study areas are covered by the Law School’s 802.11b wireless network as well. Students with an integrated or add-on wireless card should be able to access the Internet from most study areas in the building.
The Law School uses DHCP to assign IP addresses dynamically. Instructions on configuring your laptop to use DHCP are available in the computer labs and at Orientation. If you wish to access the network both at the Law School and in a dorm room, you may need to switch your network settings when you move from one location to another.
Computers in the Library: The Library provides computers in the John P. Wilson Reading Room on the second floor and on floors 4, 5 and 6 for searching the Library Catalog and databases, web searching, and checking email. Your CNet ID and password are required for access to these computers.
LexisNexis and Westlaw: Students will receive their LexisNexis and Westlaw passwords at introductory training classes early in the Autumn quarter.
Internet Services: The D’Angelo Law Library subscribes to many databases and e-journals via the Library web server at http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/law/.
The University subscribes to thousands of Usenet newsgroups, including ClariNews, which delivers news from Reuters and various newspapers on over 400 subjects. Individual students and student organizations may publish personal web pages at: http://home.uchicago.edu/.
Computer Passwords: Law students have four sets of passwords:
- Computer lab user name and password: To prevent unauthorized access, use of the Law School computer labs will be restricted to holders of UCLaw usernames and passwords. These are issued to each student during Orientation. You need these credentials to log in to the computers in the labs, to access laser printers over the Law School network from your laptop computer, and to access some services restricted to law students (job listings from Career Services, exam and evaluation websites, etc.). You should sign off computers when you are done or you risk having other people’s print jobs charged to your account.
- CNetID and password: You need these credentials to check your email and authenticate to the wireless network, as well as to access many of the University’s online services.
- LexisNexis ID and password: You will receive a LexisNexis access code from the librarians during research classes scheduled as part of your Bigelow curriculum. You will use the access code to log on to LexisNexis at http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool, register, and create your custom ID and password.
- Westlaw password: You will receive your Westlaw password from the librarians during research classes scheduled as part of your Bigelow curriculum. You can create a custom Westlaw password when you first log on and register at http://lawschool.westlaw.com. Your original Westlaw password continues to work even after you create a custom password.
A word about laptops: It is risky to configure software on a laptop computer to automatically remember your passwords. If the laptop were stolen, the thief would have access to all of your accounts.
What to do if your password is lost or compromised:
- Computer lab password: The Lab Attendant can change your password to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account and files.
- CNet password: You may reset this by visiting the CNET website: http://cnet.uchicago.edu. If you encounter problems online, you may go in person to the ID & Privileges Office located in the lobby of the Regenstein library, and they will create a new password. For security reasons, they absolutely cannot give out passwords over the phone or by email. If your password is compromised, you may find your account frozen because of abuse by the unauthorized user.
- LexisNexis ID and password: LexisNexis does not distribute passwords; each user creates a custom ID and password from an access code upon registration. The Library is not provided with a list of custom IDs and passwords. If you no longer have your custom ID and password, contact LexisNexis customer service at 1-800-543-6862.
- Westlaw password: The Library maintains a list of Westlaw passwords distributed to students. See a reference librarian if you no longer have your password.
Problems/Questions: Operational issues (problems in the Law School computer lab, printing, setting up email, etc.) should be directed to the Lab Manager and Assistants on duty in the Computer Lab. Global computer issues (lab policies, law school computer purchases, etc.) should be directed to the Director of IT.
5.2 UNIVERSITY COMPUTING SERVICES
Information Technologies Services (ITS) provides all students with a wide range of computing resources, including email, networked information, interactive computing and Internet service. ITS manages several computing sites for the University community:
- Regenstein: Lower Level, 773-702-7894
Open during library hours
Apple & PC - Crerar: First Floor, 773-702-7894
Open during library hours
Apple & PC
In addition, email and web-browsing stations are located in Stuart Hall, Harper Library, and the Reynold’s Club.
ITS provides technical support and can be reached on the techline (773-702-5800) or by email (itservices@uchicago.edu).
Computer Sales: The University of Chicago sells computers and software to students through the Solution Center. The Solution Center sells hardware and software from major vendors such as Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Dell. Pricing is very competitive.
Where to Get More Information
- On computers and pricing:
The Solution Center
The University of Chicago Bookstore, 3rd Floor
970 E. 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-6086
Hours: Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - On student user accounts (Email, Internet)
ID & Privileges Office
Regenstein Library
1100 E. 57th Street, Room 100F
Chicago, IL
773-702-3344
ipo@uchicago.edu
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Sunday: Closed