Computers:

Computer labs are available to students throughout the day and evenings; there are computers and printers in each dormitory common room for general use. While we do not recommend any specific brand or type of computer, we as a school purchase laptops from Apple, IBM, and HP-Compaq. We do not require a student to have a computer at all, however nearly all of the students do have either a laptop or desktop computer. Both Windows and MAC operating systems are supported on the network and used in academic departments.

All student rooms have two data ports.  The school provides Internet access without additional charge through our network. The use of modems is strictly prohibited; students connect to our network via Ethernet. Students and parents should be sure that any computer brought onto campus has an Ethernet card installed. The Academy will provide all software necessary to connect to the network, for email and the Internet. .All other software (such as word processing or spreadsheets) needs to be purchased by the student. Note that all student computers must be configured by the Technology department before they can be used on campus.

Wireless access is provided in all academic buildings on campus, common spaces in the dormitories, and other locations on campus. Students may bring a wireless access point for use in their room, but may not connect it until it has been configured by a member of the I.T. department.

Computer specifications:

Any computer purchased new in the last two or three years should suffice to get a student started. We require the following in order to connect the computer to the school network:

For a PC:	For a Macintosh:
Pentium III or newer processor	G3 or newer processor
512 MB RAM	512 MB RAM
Ethernet	Ethernet
Windows 2000 or higher	OS 10.1 or higher

Telephone number/email address:

All students (day and boarding) have a personal voice-mail account; individual telephone numbers are distributed at the opening of the school year. Students also have email accounts that are accessible from within the campus network and Internet. Email addresses are composed of the last name, first initial and "@mercersburg.edu", eg: StewartJ@mercersburg.edu.

Telephone and Internet Access:

Each dormitory room includes two telephone jacks; each boarding student is expected to use the telephone system in his/her room. All boarding students are expected to either bring or purchase (at the bookstore) a telephone to use in the dormitory.

Students who have parental permission to have a cell phone and who have registered the cell phone in the Dean’s Office, may use a cell phone according to these guidelines. Cell phones may only be used in the dormitories or while off campus. Cell phone use on trips away from campus will be determined by the chaperone or faculty person accompanying that trip. Students in violation of these guidelines will have their cell phone confiscated as a minimum response.

Students may not use telephones (including cell phones) when they have study hall or after their final check-in in the dormitory. Students who need to use the telephone during those time periods must have permission from a faculty member.

Long Distance Calling Plans:

Students may place long distance calls from any campus telephone by using a calling card or telephone credit card, by calling collect or by using the direct-dial service offered by the school and managed by ECCI. Information about the service offered by the school was mailed to students during the summer. Questions about the service may be directed to ECCI (HelpDesk@campusecci.com, or 1-800-YES-ECCI). Pre-paid calling cards are available from the bookstore.