Graduate School
Office of Information Technology
The OIT Service Center offers technical support to members of the Brown community. If you have trouble with any computing services, such as getting connected to wifi, please get in touch or stop by. You can also sign out loaner laptops and multimedia equipment.
The OIT Service Center can be reached at 401-863-HELP (4357), helpchat.brown.edu, help@brown.edu, or by visiting in person at Page-Robinson Hall 510 (69 Brown St.)
Stay informed about IT services, self-help resources, and technology tips and news.
Network Access
A secure wireless network called “Brown” covers most of campus.
To connect your computer, smartphone, or tablet to wifi for the first time, temporarily connect to the Brown-Guest (unsecured) network, visit wifi.brown.edu, and follow the prompts to join the Brown (secured) network.
For your off-campus residence, Verizon FIOS offers a discount to Brown community members. You can learn about this and other available discounts through the Bear Bargains list.
Personal Computers
Most students at Brown bring laptops. For most purposes, Mac and Windows PCs work equally well. We estimate around 65% of students have Mac laptops, and 35% Windows. Some also bring Linux computers or Chromebooks. Chromebooks work great for email, paper writing, Zoom and Canvas (our online learning system), though they have some limitations that prevent them from using some scientific and research software applications.
Buying and configuration recommendations.
The Brown Bookstore Technology Center offers student pricing, affordable Safeware warranty coverage, and ongoing warranty support on Apple, Lenovo and Microsoft Surface computers.
OIT provides a wide variety of software packages for use by the Brown community, including Microsoft Office, anti-virus, and computational products. Four titles you should especially note are Microsoft Office, Rosetta Stone, Adobe Creative Cloud, and LinkedIn Learning.
Printing services have been consolidated under the MyPrint-Pickup service.
Training
A variety of technical workshops are offered by the Library and other campus groups. Support and consultation for instructional technologies is provided by the Digital Learning and Design team. On-demand training for technical topics and more is available at LinkedIn Learning.
Supports teaching and learning through research and promotion of new technologies. Offers course management support, workshops, showcases and consultation to faculty and graduate students about exploring how technology may enhance their teaching and learning. The group collaborates on projects with faculty and graduate student instructors who want to experiment with innovative technologies or just try something new.
On-demand training for technical topics and more is available at LinkedIn Learning.
Course Management
Where instructors submit their syllabus for students to view in cab.brown.edu, as well as request tools and services including Canvas course sites, course blogs, in-class polling, lecture capture, and Google course groups.
Brown’s learning management system, helps faculty and graduate students extend the classroom experience online. Instructors can quickly and easily create course sites, upload syllabi, readings and other course content, create online assignments and assessments, facilitate discussions, and provide links to other resources and media, giving students 24/7 access to course materials.
Multimedia Assignment Support
Multimedia Labs
Multimedia Assignment Support facilitates the integration of media-based assignments into courses across disciplines and departments. The program provides training, technology, pedagogical consulting and development of teaching resources. Learn about the many multimedia spaces, tools and services for students and faculty on at Multimedia Labs.