Beginning in the Summer B term of 1998, all students new to the University, including new juniors, must comply with the University Student Computer Policy. Information about UF student computer requirement can be found at the CIRCA web site.

Access to and on-going use of a computer is required for all students to complete their degree programs successfully. The University of Florida expects each student entering the junior year, as well as each student new to the university, to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to his or her degree program. Competency in the basic use of a computer is a requirement for graduation. Class assignments may require use of a computer, academic advising and registration can be done by computer, and official university correspondence is often sent via e-mail.

While the university offers limited access to computers through its computer labs, most students will be expected to purchase or lease a computer that is capable of dial-up or network connection to the Internet, graphical access to the World Wide Web, and productivity functions such as word processing and spreadsheet calculation. Costs of meeting this requirement will be included in financial aid considerations.

The College of Liberal Arts and Science (CLAS) requires students registered in its courses to use a computer to perform assignments in a wide variety of courses from Anthropology to Zoology. We recommend purchasing personal computers running Microsoft Windows. You may use other platforms as well, but you may have trouble running specific assigned software as well as reading and writing documents in the required formats.

To implement the University computer policy, the College requires that:

• You must have ready access to a computer. You may purchase, lease, borrow, share, rent time, or make other arrangements. University and College assignments require you to use your computer for a variety of tasks including email, web access, multimedia, computations, and writing. In addition to required books, different courses may require you to purchase specific software for your computer.
• You should be able to print both text and graphics in an approved format. If you bring removable media (diskette, CD-ROM, etc) to campus, you may be able to print material from them using University computer labs, in which case you will be charged a nominal fee.
• You should be able to access the Internet using your computer. Accessing the Internet will be required for many of your courses. Such access is free to all university students for up to 60 hours per month through Gatorlink dial-up, a service of the University of Florida. You will be charged $0.008 per minute for additional dial-up access. Alternately, you may choose to use a different Internet provider who charges flat rates for unlimited access. The University provides email addresses for all students, staff and faculty at no charge. Software for Internet access is available at the Campus Shop and Bookstore on the UF Software CD for a nominal charge. The UF Help Desk (392-HELP) provides support for Gatorlink and the UF Software CD.
• The college requires you to know how to use your computer for web, email and other tasks. Mozilla is the college's standard software for web and email access, and is included on the UF Software CD. Should you need training in the use of your computer and its software, there are several options. CIRCA offers training for a nominal fee. Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville offers adult education classes.

When your computer needs repair, it is your responsibility to see that the repairs are done quickly so that you will be able to use your computer for University assignments. Service plans are available from local vendors. Some vendors offer "loaner" computers while repairs are taking place.

CIRCA provides a sample computer configuration that may prove useful in deciding what computer to purchase. Please note that computer technology changes rapidly, and it is unlikely that the computer you purchase today will be adequate to the tasks you will be required to perform after four years at UF. Plan to upgrade or otherwise improve your computer during your stay at UF.

Financial aid is available to assist you with the expenses of computing. Expenses include purchase or lease costs as well as charges for Internet services, supplies, printing, and maintenance.

Your computer will be an important instructional asset for you at UF. Please be prepared to use your computer as directed by your instructors.

You can read more about how your computer will be used in classes at CLAS. If you have questions about the college computer requirements or how your computer will be used, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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Last updated: May 17, 2007 (03:03:25 PM EDT)
URL: http://www.clasnet.ufl.edu/computers/student/