Student Technology FAQ
The following frequently asked questions and answers are being provided to assist students in determining technology requirements for use on the Wartburg College campus. For all other questions, please review the information at www.wartburg.edu/its, send an email to techline@wartburg.edu or call the Techline staff at 319-352-8767.
Should I bring a computer to campus?
Yes, it is highly encouraged to bring a laptop computer or desktop computer to campus. Many classes will require the ability to access Online content. It is not recommended to attempt to perform coursework on a Chromebook, there are some software products that will not function on that platform that you will be required to use during your time at Wartburg.
Should I purchase my own anti-virus software?
No, Wartburg uses Microsoft Defender so any other anti-virus software will conflict with this.
It is also recommended to have a camera and microphone to allow remote discussions. Is there a recommended computer to use on campus?
There is not a specific brand or operating system that is recommended for all Wartburg students. You may want to check with your advisor or faculty member within your major department for recommendations for particular courses.
Are there any special promotions for purchasing computer equipment through Wartburg?
Yes, Wartburg does participate in any special pricing or purchase programs with CDWG. You may access the options for equipment for students at https://www.wartburg.edu/cdwg. You can create your own account with your @wartburg.edu address to see what is available.
Are there computer labs on campus?
Yes, there are 12 computer labs on campus. The lab in the WBC is open 24 hours a day. There are also specialized labs for discipline specific software across campus.
Is there WiFi access in the dorm rooms?
Yes, all resident hall rooms, lounges, and academic areas have WiFi coverage.
Should I bring an Ethernet cord?
Yes, it is recommended that you bring an Ethernet cord to connect your computer to the wall network jacks in the residence halls. The speed on the wired network is significantly better than that of the WiFi, and it is recommended for gaming systems and video streaming.
How many network connections are there in a dorm room?
Each dorm room has 2 active network jacks per student, so a double occupancy room will have 4 network jacks for use.
Can I connect my gaming system to the network?
Yes, you can connect your gaming system to the network as long as it is registered according the instructions that will be provided by ITS during the move in process. To register it yourself go to www.gogaming.wartburg.edu on a registered phone or computer and follow the onscreen instructions.
Can I connect my smart device (Alexa, Google Home, Smart TV, etc) to the network?
Yes, you can connect your smart devices to the network as long as they are registered according the instructions that will be provided by ITS during the move in process. To register it yourself go to www.gogaming.wartburg.edu on a registered phone or computer and follow the onscreen instructions.
Can I watch my streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc) in my dorm room?
Yes! You can use your own personal services to watch your subscriptions. ITS would recommend plugging into the network jack to have the best video performance.
What does Wartburg use for virtual classes/meetings?
Wartburg owns a site license for Teams which can be used by all active students, faculty and staff. This is a critical piece of the Online and remote teaching products used in all areas of campus. Students can install it on their personal devices by logging into portal.office.com or run it in a browser through teams.microsoft.com using their Wartburg account.
Will I have access to Microsoft Office?
Wartburg College is a Microsoft Office 365 campus providing Office 365 tools to active students at no additional cost. This includes Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and other productivity applications. This can be installed on up to five different devices.
Will I have access to Gmail and Google Drive?
Yes, you will be able to access these, but Wartburg College is a Microsoft Office 365 campus and does not provide support to any Google services for students.
Can I print on campus?
Yes, all students have access to 18 network printers across campus. Students are allocated $33.00 per term for printing which is roughly 250 pages depending on the type of pages printed. The print jobs are stored into a queue for 24 hours and released to the you by the swipe of your ID card on the printer.
Will the ITS Techline staff repair my personal computer?
ITS staff are able to help repair software based issues to a certain level. ITS staff are not able to repair personally owned hardware. For other repairs, we recommend One Solution in Waverly for Windows computers and iTech in Cedar Falls for Apple devices.