Technology

Should I bring a computer?
 Yes.  While we have many computers available for use across campus, it is still important for you to have your own if possible.

What kind of computer should I bring?
A laptop or notebook computer is highly recommended. Whether you prefer Mac or PC is really a choice that you should make based upon your comfort level with either platform.  Keep in mind, that the Music and Art programs, in particular, focus significantly on the Mac. The School of Business focuses heavily on the PC.  The Education Department provides access to both platforms.  Most other majors do not have preferences.  Both Macs and PCs are available across campus in computer laboratories located in various locations.

What kind of technical specifications do I need?
We would suggest 2 Gb of memory; a hard drive of at least 120 Gb; wireless adapter (N-standard); DVD/CD drive; multiple USB connections.

What kind of Internet access is available on campus?
The Residence Halls and Campus have somewhat separate Internet access.  From the residence halls, each individual student is allocated 1.5Mb of bandwidth –a full T1 line.  Each student in the Residence Halls has a wired connection, if they want to use it.  The halls have a total of 90 Mb/s of service.  The campus has a total of 100 Mb/s of service to the Internet.  The Internet service at the College is “managed”.  No peer-to-peer traffic is permitted to leave the College.  This is to eliminate any chance of music/video piracy.

Wireless access is available in all areas of the residence halls.  Wireless is also available in all parts of: Old Main; Ylvisaker Library; Campus Center; Hvidsten Hall; Olin Hall; Welcome Center; and Lorentzsen Hall.  The other academic buildings have some wireless available in public areas and selected classrooms.  Outside on Olin Hill also has wireless coverage.

What about printing?
We do not recommend that you bring a printer.  Printing is free at Concordia although it is managed.  There are printers available for student use in each of the residence halls, campus center, Ylvisaker Library, and the other open computer laboratories across campus.

Download print drivers onto your personal computer.

You are then able to print to any one of 10 printers across campus. Your document is not printed until you go to the printer release station, find your specific document and enter your password. Only then will it print.  If you do not print the document within a certain period of time, 20 minutes, it simply disappears.  We have found managed printing to reduce our paper waste to “zero”.

What other kinds of information technology services are available to students?

  1. Each student is provided an e-mail account – in the event that you already have an account elsewhere, it is possible to forward your cord.edu e-mail address to your preferred provider.
  2. A space on the network to store files that provides access to those files from anywhere across campus
  3. A selection of free software including anti-virus, anti-malware, and other helpful utility programs downloadable from
  4. Atomic Learning is an on-line tutorial service that provides in-depth web-based training for a multitude of software programs – both PC and Mac platforms. 
  5. Basic hardware troubleshooting services are also available through our Solution Center on campus. We are careful about opening privately-owned computers out of respect for warranties and potential liability. However, we will do our best to help students in “dire straits” and refer to commercial warranty providers if that is the best solution.
  6. Troubleshooting of network connections in the residence halls is provided by 702 Communications at 218-284-4638.
  7. Online help through ITS.

Are there any hardware discounts available?
Yes. We have a premium site available to faculty and staff because of our current relationship with Dell: www.dell.com/concordia. Discounts are also available from Apple. For information, contact the Solution Center at 218.299.3375 or 877.399.3375.

Are there any software discounts available?
Yes. Microsoft Office 2007 is available through a special promotion from Microsoft for college students only at $59.95 – for the PC version only. Purchase it now.

What should I do about telephone service?
There are no wired phone lines in the individual rooms. We encourage all students to bring personal cell phones.  Sprint, ALLTEL, and Verizon have excellent cellular service in Fargo/Moorhead.  AT&T does not.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students