Technology Resources

Totally Wired Campus

Bay Path is a totally wired campus-from the residence halls, the academic and administrative buildings, and the Blake Student Commons to the modern Hatch Library that is connected via wireless radio frequency technology. We know that technology is inseparable from the classroom to student life. That's why each room in every residence hall has two network jacks for high-speed Internet access and there are over 150 network jacks for portable computers/laptops in the Blake Student Commons and academic buildings. And if you don't have your own computer, each residence hall has a study room with computer access, and there are over 100 computers available throughout campus for community use.

Your Computer System

Before bringing a computer to campus, please refer to the following specifications as a minimum supported requirement:

Your computer should meet the following minimum standards:

• Pentium 4, 1.8 Ghz or faster CPU
• 512 Mb or more of memory
• Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater with 128 bit encryption level
• Internet Connection Speed 56K or greater

Software:

• Recommend Windows XP Professional (minimum Windows 98SE or newer, Windows ME NOT recommended)
• The Microsoft Office version we use in the labs is Office 2007 Professional the suite has Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access & FrontPage
• Anti-virus software with a valid subscription for updates. (We recommend Norton)

As a resident student you will have access to the following technology resources:

Telephone Service:

Free local calling, 20 minutes of voice mail that may be accessed from anywhere. You are given your own direct-dial telephone number and 20 minutes of voice mail.  You will need to provide your own telephone. Almost any telephone will work provided it can perform touch-tone dialing. Older rotary type telephones will not work. Caller ID functions will not work.

Residence Hall Room Telephone Number:

As a resident student, you will be assigned a telephone number which will change if you change room or residence hall. Please use discretion in the dissemination of telephone numbers of residence hall phones to eliminate undesirable calls. You should communicate to your family the telephone number of the phone at which you may be reached most easily. You will automatically have voice mail and you are advised to change your greeting periodically. For security reasons answering machines are not allowed.

Local Telephone Calling:

The College will pay all local telephone charges. However, use of a modem is not allowed through the telephone connection. Local usage statistics are monitored (duration of calls, number dialed, etc.) in order to ensure adequate system performance and to manage capacity as well as to help identify abuse/unreasonable use of the system or unauthorized use for Internet access via modems. Anyone found to be abusing this shared resource may be subject to disciplinary action or fine.

The local calling area includes:

• Agawam
• Chicopee
• East Longmeadow
• Feeding Hills
• Hampden
• Holyoke
• Indian Orchard
• Longmeadow
• Ludlow
• Southwick
• Springfield
• Westfield
• West Springfield
• Wilbraham

Long Distance Telephone Calling:

For long distance telephone calls, you will need a telephone card. You can choose any long distance carrier you wish, however, the billing number for the card must be your own home number. (The Bay Path telephone number cannot be used for the calling card.) The billing account for long distance calling must be set up as a residential account; it cannot be set up as a commercial account. Prepaid phone cards or cell phones are recommended.

Voice Mail:

The telephone service will include 20 minutes of voice mail (an alternative to an answering machine). Voice mail will take messages while you are away from the telephone and when the telephone is being used. Instructions on how to set up and use the voice mail will be provided when you arrive on campus.

Cable TV:

To use cable TV at Bay Path, you must have a cable-ready television and a standard connection cable. No special converters or adapters are needed to receive cable TV at Bay Path. The cable connection provides students access to over 50 channels, including CNN, PBS, MTV, VH1, ESPN and campus-based broadcasts and information. There is no charge for this service.

Direct High-Speed Internet Connection:

The Internet connections at Bay Path are high-speed connections, equivalent to the high-speed connections currently being offered by many cable TV companies. Like a cable company connection, you will need a network card (see "Your Computer System" section that follows) in your computer in order to take advantage of our high-speed connection through our network. It is best if you have your dealer or computer service install the network card prior to your arrival on campus. These devices require a device driver to be loaded and tested by the dealer to ensure the card is functioning correctly. If this is not possible, the College can recommend a business that will install a network card. The College does not allow the use of telephone modems to connect to the Internet. There is no charge for high speed Internet access through our network.

Your E-mail:

The College provides a free e-mail account to all of our students. Once enrolled, students are notified by mail of their assigned username and password. This account has the ability to receive messages from anywhere as well as from the Bay Path faculty. We use Lotus Domino web mail; this gives you access to your e-mail account from a web browser. If you do not have your own computer you can use any Bay Path computer in the labs, library or public clusters around the campus. In fact, because we use a web-based e-mail system, this e-mail account can be accessed on any computer attached to the Internet, anywhere!

Hardware & Software Questions or Problems:

We are always available to answer any of your questions to assist you in having a pleasant experience as you enter Bay Path College, as well as during the school year. Simply call x1487 (ITS) and select option #1, or contact Student Services at  x1302.

E-mail questions or problems to:
E-mail: ITS@baypath.edu

Please note: the College does not repair or troubleshoot problems with PCs or laptop computers owned by students.