Technology
User Services
User Services
Technology User Services provides all user support at Simmons College. We support the community's use of technology through phone, email, and in person interactions in classrooms, labs, and offices. Although by necessity our focus is often on the technology (e.g. delivering to classrooms, or troubleshooting software), our mission is to serve you: Simmons faculty, staff, and students. We are committed to providing excellent customer service along with each of our technical service offerings.
Kim Brookes, the Director of User Services, oversees the department, software licensing, and customer satisfaction. She also provides direction for Technology's cross-functional teams (e.g. Climate, Classrooms, Communications, and Security). User Services is broken into three groups: General Access Computing and Labs, the Help Desk, and Media Services.
General Access Computing and Labs staff manage the computers available to students, faculty and staff in the Library Information Commons, at the School of Management and on the Residence Campus. General Access Computing and Labs staff work closely with Help Desk, Faculty, and Departmental staff to support and manage Technology and departmental computer labs. From the Information Commons Technology Desk, staff members provide application support (e.g. how do I set up a chart in Excel), check out loaner laptops, and troubleshoot the general access computers and printers in the Library. For more about General Access Computing and Labs, including locations and available services, please browse their portion of the Technology web site.
Help Desk staff provide direct technology support to Simmons faculty, staff and students. The Help Desk runs a call center (617-521-2222), in addition to responding to email requests, making on-site visits to offices, and, by appointment only, supporting people who visit our headquarters (Lefavour Hall, L331). The Help Desk installs, replaces, and maintains all Simmons-owned computers in staff and faculty offices, and public kiosks. For more about the Help Desk's services, in addition to tips about how to use some of Simmons' standard software, please see their portion of the Technology web site.
Media Services staff support academic technology use in the classroom, including the instructor's workstation, and audio-visual hardware and software. Media Services staff deliver mobile technology through Simmons, particularly for classrooms and special events. Media Services manages a circulating collection of media (e.g. videos) and a/v equipment (e.g. digital cameras), operates the campus-wide media retrieval system that includes the campus announcements bulletin board, and services the Language Lab where students and others may check out non-print media on reserve, and use viewing/listening stations. For additional information about Media Services, including request forms and inventories of what is available in each classroom, please browse their portion of the Technology web site.
Kim Brookes, Director