Devices and Applications
We understand that you may arrive on campus with a variety of technological devices, including computers and mobile devices. Our goal is to assist you in connecting as many of these devices as possible.
Faculty and Staff Computer Assignments
CIT provides computers to faculty and staff who are employed at least half time by the college. Upon accepting your job offer and receiving your ObieID, you are encouraged to request a computer.
- Log in to the CIT Tech Support Portal and complete the New Computer Request Form. Specify your preferences for a desktop or laptop, Mac or Windows, and any required software.
- Submit the form.
- Once we receive your request, we’ll initiate the computer assignment process, set up your device, and schedule a delivery time with you.
For inquiries about using startup, grant, or research funds for technology, please email client.services@oberlin.edu to discuss your research requirements.
Endpoint Security Requirements
In order to adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards of insurability, all college-owned Information Technology adheres to several endpoint security requirements.
Learn more about endpoint security requirements and CIT’s exception process
Student Computer Recommendations
New students often ask us for recommendations on what computer to buy. While there’s no right answer, we suggest purchasing a laptop with a solid state hard drive (SSD), at least 512 GB of hard drive storage space, and 16 GB of RAM.
Who uses what?
Neither Windows nor Macintosh operating systems are required for any discipline at Oberlin.
If you’re on the fence about which system to purchase, reach out to a faculty member in your discipline to see whether software that you’ll find in your area of study works well on your desired operating system.
What if I don’t have a laptop?
There are several open-use computer labs on campus that students may use if they do not bring a computer to college or need access to Windows or Mac-specific software that their computer does not support.
Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
CIT supports a wide variety of devices on our network, including IoT devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Sonos speakers. We offer a dedicated wireless network called ObieConnect for IoT devices. While our primary focus remains on academic support, we’re here to assist with these devices whenever possible.
Software Access
CIT provides software and enterprise systems supporting teaching, learning, and administration at Oberlin College. Your software access is role-based, detailed in the table below. For role clarification, please refer to the definitions at the bottom of the page.
How to use the table
Use the search tools at the top of the table to quickly find a record or records that meet certain conditions (e.g., apps available to students).
- Click on the Filter tool.
- Click +Add filter.
- From here, set the filter field, filter operator, and comparison value to make a statements that like “Where [Roles] [has any of] [Student].”
Notes
- Additional licensing may apply. While your role may have permission to access an app, you may not have been assigned a license. If you cannot access software that you believe you should have access to, please open a ticket using the CIT Tech Support Portal.
- Sometimes you may need access to software that is not normally assigned to people in your role. If you believe that’s the case, please complete an Access Exception Request.
- Some software may not appear in this table. Software and systems that are not integrated into single sign-on or are managed by an individual or department are not listed here.
Faculty
A current employee who is in a faculty employee class or in a job in a faculty employee class, or Administrative & Professional Staff-encoded faculty with instructional assignment(s) in the current academic year.
Staff
A current employee who is in a staff employee class or in a job in a staff employee class.
Student
An enrolled student in the current academic period.
Deposit Student
An enrolled student with a matriculation term of the following academic period.
Pre-Start Faculty
An incoming employee who will be either in a faculty employee class or in a job in a faculty employee class within the next 90 days.
Pre-Start Staff
An incoming employee who will be either in a staff employee class or in a job in a staff employee class within the next 30 days.
Expected-to-Return Student
A student who is on suspension or on medical, personal, or emergency leave in the current academic period but is expected to return in a future academic period.
Expected-to-Return Employee
A non-terminated employee in any non-student employee class that has no current jobs.
Former Employee
A terminated employee that was terminated within the last 12 months.
Retiree
A retired employee that now receives retiree benefits.
Retired Faculty
A retired employee that ever previously held a job in a faculty employee class.
Recent Grad
A person whose grad status is awarded and whose grad term is within the last four years.