Information Technology

We are here to help

The Office of Information Technology, located in the Jackson Technology Center, offers campus-wide support for technology needs, including computer hardware and software for faculty and staff, educational technology support, and the IT Help Desk to assist students, faculty, and staff with any technology questions or issues.

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Resources for Students

MyAC Technology Page

Self Password Reset

Web Print

Office 365 for Education

Microsoft Office 365 is available to Austin College students, faculty, and staff AT NO COST. Use your Austin College email address and password to access your Office 365 account. Austin College has partnered with Microsoft to offer the features below. Follow any instructional links before logging in to get your Office applications installed.

Install Office 365 applications on up to 5 devices – These devices include your Windows or Mac computers, Android devices, and iOS devices (iPad/iPhone).
Microsoft OneDrive – Cloud based storage that gives our students 1TB of free space to store personal or school related data. OneDrive can be used for file sharing and collaboration. Access your OneDrive
Office Online – You can access the full suite of Office programs from a browser without having to install any programs on your device. You check your email, edit word documents, access your OneDrive data, and more anywhere you have access to the internet, regardless of whether Office is installed. Access Office Online

IMPORTANT: Do not give out your password to others. You will be considered responsible and held accountable for any malicious actions done under your user account. Sharing your password with anyone is a serious security threat to our network and should not be done under any circumstances. Our IT department will NEVER ask for your password.

Wireless Networks

Austin College provides a reliable wireless network inside all buildings on the main campus*. The wireless network is free for use by all faculty, staff, and students, but all devices used on the network must be registered (see below).

Guest wifi is available via the AC_Visitor network.

*Wireless in the Flats and Village on Grand Ave. Residences is provided by Sparklight and is not part of the campus wireless network. For issues with wireless in those locations, contact Sparklight directly, or call the Student Life Office if you need help contacting them.

Wireless Networks

The campus offers both an encrypted (AC_SECURE) and an unencrypted wireless network (AC_VISITOR).

We recommend you use an encrypted network if available and your device supports it. The unencrypted networks are provided to support guests and devices that have trouble connecting to the encrypted networks.

Wireless Registration

All devices connected to the Austin College Wi-Fi need to be registered to work properly. AC Community members can find registration instructions on the student or employee portal, or visit the IT Helpdesk for assistance in connecting. Campus visitors can connect to AC_VISITOR, and should ask their hosts for wireless connection instructions to complete the registration process.

Technology for New Students

Am I required to bring my own computer to campus?

If I do bring my computer, what type should I bring?

Can I get discounts on software for my computer?

Can I bring my own printer?

Yes, you can bring your own printer provided that it will not be using a wireless connection. Wireless printer connections will interfere with our wireless access, so we do not allow them on campus.

Note: all students are given an “allowance” for printing on campus printers each semester, so many students decide not to spend the money on bringing their own printer.

Will there be Wi-Fi in my dorm room?

Yes! The campus has wireless access in every building on campus, including all Residential Halls. We allow all devices to connect to wireless, including, but not limited to, mobile devices, gaming systems, entertainment devices, etc.

*Please do not bring personal wireless routers. These systems conflict with our campus network and acceptable use policy. In short, they are a security risk and add wireless interference, slowing down wireless connections in the surrounding area.

Important Note: All devices that connect via Wi-Fi will go through a device registration process. For more information, please visit our tab on the wireless network

Which type of connection will be better: wireless or a hard-line connection into the wall?

All Residential Halls have both wired and wireless access. Free 25′ ethernet cables are available for freshmen.

*Most students primarily use wireless to connect to the Internet and we have made a great effort to provide a fast and reliable wireless network. However, a wired connection will provide a more reliable and faster connection. The wired connection is often used for gaming systems and media streaming devices (smart TVs, smart Blu-ray players, etc.) for the best experience.

Can I bring a gaming console?

Can I receive my school emails from my mobile device?

Computer Labs

Computers are provided in labs across campus for student use in academic buildings and Abell Library with many providing access 24x7. These labs also provide the ability to print, and many include specialty software used by the different academic disciplines. That means that students who do not have or are experiencing issues with personal computers will always have access to the network and the ability to complete coursework, print assignments, and browse the web.