Please go to https://tech.houghton.edu/studentid and when prompted sign in with your Houghton College username (same as your email address) and password (same as you use to login to your email). Once you have logged in your student ID number will be displayed on the page.

Certain programs (music, math, science and science honors) do require students to bring a laptop. While other programs do not require that you bring a computer, studies have shown that more than 95% of students will bring a computer to college. It is a significant advantage for students to have their own computer on campus.

Music Majors
Music majors must have a laptop.

Math & Science majors and Science Honors Program participants
All students who plan to major in math or sciences or participate in the Science Honors Program need a laptop. This requirement is due to the need for data collection and software operation in class.

PC laptop requirements: Windows operating system (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1); MS Office Suite (2010 or later); and multiple USB ports.

Mac laptop requirements*: MS Office Suite (2011 or later); multiple USB ports; for Science Honors and Physics, it must also run a Windows operating system.

Houghton College will make available to students a copy of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus free of charge.

Note: We are currently in the process of transitioning from a standard Microsoft Campus Agreement to the Office365 ProPlus distribution model for this program, which should be in place by Mid-August.  We will notify students when the transition is complete and provide instructions for downloading and installing this software.

Please contact our Helpdesk with any questions.
helpdesk@houghton.edu
585-567-9349

*New Macs come with a utility called Bootcamp that creates a space for the Windows operating system and allows you to choose between operating systems on start-up. Of course, one must buy the Windows operating system if you wish to use a Mac in this way.

We recommend a laptop. Most students will probably desire the portability and flexibility of a laptop. Laptops can be taken to class (with professor’s approval), to the library, and across campus, allowing you to work anywhere. However, the portable nature of laptops makes them very susceptible to damage, loss, and theft. For this reason, we strongly recommend insurance and at least a three-year warranty.

This is mostly an issue of personal preference. Some are more comfortable with Mac, and some are more comfortable with Windows. Certain departments may be more Mac- or Windows-oriented; you may wish to discuss this with your advisor.

We have prepared some basic specifications that will assist you while shopping for a computer. For the most part, any new computer that you purchase would probably serve you for most, if not all, of your college career. While there is a myriad of choices available, here are some basic specifications that should help you get started. Note – You do not need to purchase Microsoft Office with your computer. Houghton College will provide this software to you.

We do not recommend Chromebooks as an option.

Recommended specifications:

• Intel Core i5 processor or AMD Ryzen 5 processor
• 8 GB RAM
• 250 GB Solid State Hard Drive (SSD)
• Wireless card with minimum 802.11 g/n and recommended 802.11 ac
• Windows 10 or Mac OSX 10.14 Mojave

Yes! Houghton College has an extensive wired network that includes a data jack for every person in their dorm room. Network jacks can also be found all over campus. An Ethernet cable is required to plug your computer into the campus network. 25-foot Ethernet cables can be purchased in the Bookstore when you arrive or at any office and computer supply store prior to arrival. This length should be sufficient for any room on campus.

In addition to the wired network, we also have a campus-wide wireless network. Our network is available in all buildings with a few exceptions (for example, the Chapel). There are also several locations outside where you can receive a wireless signal.

Houghton College will make available to students a copy of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus free of charge.

Please contact our Helpdesk with any questions.
helpdesk@houghton.edu
585-567-9349

No. Please leave any wireless access points and routers home. There have been several occasions when a personal access point or device, configured incorrectly, has disrupted service to a number of students.

We currently have several public kiosks in the Campus Center basement, in addition to the Student Print Center. The majority of these computers are in the hallway adjacent to the Helpdesk entrance, and there are additional machines located outside the Student Government Association, Boulder, and STAR offices. The library houses several public kiosks on the first floor, and there is a small general-purpose lab that is located on the second floor.

Discipline-specific labs are also available for communication (Chamberlain Center), art (Stevens Art Studio) and computer science (Paine Science Center).

Some students will find their own printer to be beneficial so they can print in their room at any time. Houghton College has nine print stations in various buildings on campus. These print stations consist of a desktop computer and a printer that will let you login to your email, network drive or use a thumb drive and print to the attached printer. The only thing that the college does not supply is paper to print on; you will need to supply this.

You can contact the Helpdesk in several ways. Feel free to stop by the Helpdesk; our hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m on weekdays. (We are closed during chapel.) The Helpdesk is located in the lower level of the Reinhold Campus Center.

You can email us at helpdesk@houghton.edu. For more information on the services provide by the Helpdesk, please visit the Technology Services website.