FAQs - Technology

The Journalism School and Columbia's Morningside and medical centers's campuses have two wireless networks and we recommend using the second one listed below: 

"Columbia University" is an open access network requiring no password or other form of authentication for acess -this would be considered a guest network for non-CU faculty, staff or students.

"Columbia Secure" is a secure network requiring the installation of a secure certificate on your wireless device as well as authentication via UNI credentials.  More information on accessing this network as well as installation of the secure certificate.

We urge all faculty, staff and students to use the "Columbia Secure" network.

Only a few spaces in the Journalism School have printers, which are available in the rooms listed below:

• 501A
• 511B
• 511C
• 107 Center

Regardless of the medium you plan to pursue, you’re required to have a portable external hard drive, which will enable you to back up your work and transport it from one computer to another, whether on or off campus. Every year students come to us desperately seeking help in recovering material they’ve lost, but unless they’ve backed it up, there’s rarely anything we can do. An external hard drive is required even if you’re planning to use your personal laptop for most of your work here. See the technology guide for more detailed information.

Be aware of computer virii and worms that take advantage of e-mail attachments and e-mail clients. Be cautious about receiving attachments even from trusted sources and people you know. It is best not to open any unexpected attachments that are not forewarned by the sender. Do not open ANY attachments directly from your e-mail client. Instead, save them to the hard drive and use Malwarebytes to scan it for viruses. Then open the appropriate application, and open the document from the application's File menu. See Columbia University's security resources for more information.

The Journalism School does not have computer labs. You will need to bring your own laptops and devices. 

Students are provided with a free copy of Adobe Suite to use until they graduate. CUIT provides a free copy of MS Office.

Journalism School students have access to discounts on many of Apple's Mac computers. These discounts are accessible at Apple's Columbia University Store. You will need to have an activated UNI in order to access the discount program.

Students may also take advantage of discounts on Dell products through the Dell Computer Personal Purchase Program.

Discounts are also available at B & H, through a Personal Purchase.  

In addition, educational discounts for multiple computer brands (including Apple) are available through Columbia University. University students with a valid UNI can logon to this website and order hardware and software at special education discount pricing.