Rutgers University Computing Services (RUCS) provides extensive computing and network services for students, faculty, and staff in all academic and administrative units of the university. In addition to the RUCS facilities, many departments and schools operate computing facilities of their own.
Support for students centers on a set of approximately twelve public computer labs, plus additional locations in many libraries. These labs have a mix of Windows, Macintosh, and Unix workstations or X terminals, as well as printers. Several of the areas are equipped for class use. There is a Digital Media Lab for preparation of audio and video presentations. Several labs in New Brunswick are open twenty-four hours a day. Software includes word processing and spreadsheets packages, as well as tools for specialized academic uses, such as statistics, mathematics, and mapping. Much of this software is also available for students to use on their own computers in residence halls.
Rutgers is nearing completion of a major networking project. In the last four years, approximately 260 buildings have been wired and 500 connected to the Rutgers data network. Virtually every student residing in university housing has a robust Ethernet connection. Residents who use these connections have full access to computer resources at Rutgers and the Internet.
RUCS provides central services for students, including email, net news, web page hosting, and Unix shell access. Student services available via the web include a schedule of classes, online registration, financial aid award status, grades, transcripts and class schedules, statements of accounts, a calendar of events, and an online directory. Many courses make use of computers and web technology. Email is used widely on campus to communicate with faculty and other students, as well as to distribute announcements.