Office of Information Technology
The Office of Information Technology (OIT), located on the 4th floor of the Blanton
Student Services Building, is responsible for providing computing and communications
services in support of the academic and administrative functions for students,
faculty, staff, alumni, and patrons of the University. These services include an
SMU e-mail account, access to enrollment and financial data online, Internet
access both on and off campus, telephone services, Web-based services, technical
support and a variety of software and hardware discounts.
SMU offers high-speed network connections throughout campus. Students can
take advantage of both wired and wireless connections throughout all areas of the
residence halls. Wireless coverage also extends throughout the campus in most
classrooms, libraries, common areas and several outdoor locations. In addition to
on-campus Internet connections, OIT provides off-campus connections through
dial-up access and Virtual Private Networks (VPN).
All students receive an SMU e-mail account, which remains active throughout
their enrollment at the University. The e-mail account may be accessed online via
webmail.smu.edu. In addition, students have access to a variety of web-based
services including Access.SMU, personal web space, network storage space, and
academic applications including Blackboard Course Management System. All
academic information including grade history, financial information, transcripts
and class registration is available through the Access.SMU system.
The OIT Help Desk provides technical support for most computing issues from
7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. on Friday. Both phone and in-house support is available for on- and off-campus
connectivity issues and computer virus issues. The Help Desk also offers phone
support for the Microsoft Office Suite and other common applications.
Although most students have their own computers, there are a number of public
computer labs available for use. Labs are located in each of the Residence Halls
and throughout the campus libraries. Almost all of the labs contain both Mac and
PC workstations and support a variety of programs. There is also 24-hour computer
access available in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
The Computer Corner by HiEd, located in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, is
the on-campus computer store. It offers a number of discounts on hardware and
other peripherals. Students also may take advantage of software discounts on
Microsoft and Adobe applications through a campus license agreement. Computer
repair service is offered on a per-charge basis.
OIT also provides on-campus telephone and voicemail services and discounts
on cellular services, which students may obtain at any time throughout the year.
For additional information on services provided by OIT, visit
smu.edu/help or
call the Help Desk, 214-768-HELP.