Classroom Computer Labs Policy
Summary: We have several instructional labs available for instructional use. To schedule a lab, use the online request form. Please read the policy below for information about the labs and scheduling.
Quick Index
- Lab Locations
- Access and Hours
- Reserving/Scheduling the OIT Instructional Labs
- Lab Costs
- Software Installation Policy
- Guidelines for Instructors
Lab Goals
The purpose of the OIT Computer Labs is to provide computing resources (computers, software, network access, etc.) for UCI campus educational activities, with priority being given to providing support for those classes that are listed in the quarterly UCI "Schedule of Classes".
Note: Due to the high demand for the labs during the regular school calendar, OIT is no longer able to schedule non-UCI class use of the labs during the academic calendar. Such use is still available during other times, e.g., quarter breaks and weekends. This situation will be reviewed each quarter.
- In addition to scheduled classes, labs are for educational, drop-in use , and student-directed activities.
- Labs are resource to develop new uses of computer-based educational activities.
- Lab are for use by variety of disciplines.
- Lab equipment and software environments serve as models for other campus instructional labs.
- To facilitate the development of departmental and school-wide labs for continuing, large-scale use of instructional computing.
Locations
OIT Instructional Labs are located in the Multipurpose Science & Technology Building (MSTB), Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway (SBSG), and ArtsTEC. MSTB Labs (210 & 226) and SBSG Labs (240 & 241) are separated by a moveable partition and are available as one large lab for classes needing 90+ seats.
- MSTB Lab A (MSTB 210) - 46 PC Computers.
- MSTB Lab B (MSTB 226) - 46 PC Computers.
- MSTB Lab 210 & 226 (Both Labs) - 90 PC Computers
- SBSG 240 (G240) - 33 PC Computers.
- SBSG 241 (G241) - 60 PC Computers.
- SBSG 240 & 241 (Both Labs) - 93 PC Computers.
- ArtsTEC - 24 G4 Macintosh Computers
Access and Hours
The MSTB and SBSG Buildings are open during the following hours when school is in session:
- 7:00 AM - 10 PM, Monday through Friday and 8am - 10pm Saturday
These labs will generally be locked and alarmed outside of those hours. Exceptions are made during peak use periods (beginning and end of quarters).
- Scheduled Classes: Normally only students enrolled in the class that has reserved a lab may use the facility during the period of reservation. Other students may enter at the discretion of the instructor.
- "Drop-In" Use: The OIT Classroom Computing labs may be used for "drop-in" use by students, etc., when a reserved class is not scheduled or in session. Schedules of reserved classes and maintenance periods are posted outside of each lab's door.
Please check the schedule for the week:
- Posted outside the door of each lab, to see when classes are in session.
- Online Version - Select "Current Schedule" next to the lab you are interested in.
Reserving/Scheduling OIT Classroom Computer Labs
Scheduling for Class Time
Scheduling is only available for the actual time the class meets as stated in the Schedule of Classes. If your students need more time for homework and TA guidance, they may utilize the drop in hours after 6:00 PM or when other classes are not scheduled.
Finals Week
If you are scheduling a lab for the entire quarter, we will schedule during weeks 1 - 10, by default. If you would like to reserve time during Finals Week, please send in a separate request.
Maximum Hours for Scheduling
The maximum number of hours that can be reserved across all OIT scheduled labs is 20 hours per week per class, or the equivalent of 2 hours/student per week, whichever is less. Thus, a class with 50 students will be allowed to reserve a maximum of 4 hours/ week (using 25 computer seats per lab).Blocks of time for reserved use may only be scheduled between the hours of 8 AM through 6 PM, Monday - Friday, to allow drop-in use in the evenings.
Making Reservations
Many instructors have have found a short introduction to the lab facilities beneficial to their efficient use of the lab. For that reason, instructors and/or their TAs are encouraged to have completed a brief orientation on the features of the OIT Labs before using the lab. ( See section below: "Guidelines for Instructors"). As the reservation is made, OIT personnel will advise the reservation-maker to advise the instructors to contact the pertinent OIT lab manager to discuss any software or systems issues that may arise with this classes use of the lab.The labs may be reserved via a web form. For information about fees, see the section on "Fee Schedule for Reserved Use".
All requests for reservations must be confirmed by OIT to be considered valid.
Reservations for instructional use can be made up to 2 quarters in advance of the actual class. All reservations for a quarter must be made by the Monday of the 2nd week of that current quarter.
Lab Cancellation Policy
OIT recognizes the inevitability of class dates and times changing, and will make every attempt to accommodate your group. The Lab scheduling coordinator must be notified of cancellations at least 5 working days before the session meets or you will be recharged for the full amount originally agreed upon.Lab Costs for Scheduled Use
- No Fee - Classes Listed in Quarterly UCI "Schedule of Classes" and UCI Summer Sessions Classes
- $40 per hour - Classes/Events Not Listed in Quarterly UCI "Schedule of Classes"
- $25 Administrative Fee - a fee of $25 will be assessed to cover OIT administrative costs for "too frequent" (more than two changes) changing of reservations .
Software Installation Policy
Valid Licenses Required
We will install only software that has a proper
and valid license. There are no exceptions to this rule. 'Demo' or 'evaluation'
copies will not be available in these labs.
2 Week Lead Time for Installation
To provide adequate lead time for software
test/installation, instructors should notify OIT of all software needs at
time of reservation. All software installation requires a minimum lead time
of two weeks.
Software Installation Fees
Charges will include cost of license and maintenance for all software outside of "standard" OIT Classroom Lab software configuration.A fee of $60 /hour will be charged for any software installation(s). All requests for software should be made at reservation time. Due to high demand for lab services, software requests made just before to during the scheduled quarter are subject to significant delays in installation.
Guidelines for Instructors
Instructor Orientation
We recommend that new instructors complete a brief orientation ( which may be done via phone or by visiting the labs) on the features of the OIT Labs before using the lab. If you are using the OIT Labs for the first time, such an orientation is the best way to familiarize yourself with the features of the facilities, such as software, computer hardware and display equipment before the first class meeting. Waiting until after the quarter begins to do this usually delays the effective use of the lab by the instructor.Special Arrangements
If there are special arrangements (e.g., additional equipment, new software, etc.) that need to be made for the class, OIT must be contacted with sufficient advance notice. If you have any questions related to using the labs for instruction, please contact OIT at 824-2222, or e-mail us at oit@uci.eduStudent Lab Time Guidelines
The actual lab time needed by students will vary depending upon the software being used, the task(s) and their degree of experience with it. However, in general, we recommend that instructors plan their labs so that each student will have approximately 2 hours per week. Using the specified amount of lab time per student and the fact that each scheduleable lab has 25 computers, instructors should be able to estimate the total lab time per week for a class.Printing in the Labs
Laser printing is available in the classroom computer labs. All lab printers are managed by the printing software system. You can use your UCI/Campus ID card or purchase a Guest print card to release print jobs. For more information, please see Printing in OIT Labs.
