New Student Information
This page will acquaint new students with computer resources available on- and off-campus. Our goal in IT is to help students learn to use computer technology both in their law school and future careers.
Email & WebAdvisor
Over the summer, you will receive instructions on how to access your new Hastings email account. Once you are here, the College assumes you will check your Hastings email account regularly. We are attempting to go "paperless" — this means that email is, in most cases, the only way that academic and administrative departments will communicate vital information to you. So, please remember to check your Hastings email!
You will also receive instructions for accessing WebAdvisor. This is the online system to access your student account — including schedules, grades, registration, and billing information. You will use your Hastings email login name and password to access WebAdvisor.
If you have any questions about email, WebAdvisor or any other details on this page, please feel free to contact the HelpDesk.
Computer Lab
We have a large computer lab for students — the Learning Resource Center (LRC), located on the fourth floor of the Law Library in the 200 McAllister building. We have Windows PCs connected to laser printers. We also have scanners for student use. There is no charge to use the computers or scanners but there is a per sheet charge to use the laser printers. In addition to the LRC, we have public computers for email and Internet access in the Student Information Center (SIC) and other areas.
Wireless Internet Access
Wireless Internet access (802.11a/b/g/n — WiFi) is available throughout the campus, including the Law Library, student lounges, reading rooms, all classrooms, Tower apartments and the Tower Skyroom. We also have Ethernet ports in the Gold Reading Room and other locations. Your Hastings email login name and password will give access to the wireless network.
Free McAfee antivirus
The College has purchased licenses for McAfee antivirus for both Windows machines and Macs for Hastings students' computers. We recommend students install it. http://uchastings.edu/infotech/virus-scan.html
Site License for Microsoft Software
Visit the Highlights section of the Information Technology main web page to take advantage of the site license for Microsoft Software.
Lexis/Westlaw Home Access
During your first semester you will receive training in Lexis and/or Westlaw, the on-line legal research databases. Both services provide passwords that are valid throughout your law school career. The Lexis and Westlaw services are available via the web.
Notebooks, Macs and Computer Exams
Most students have a laptop computer which they use in classrooms, in the library, the Dining Commons — wherever they find space to sit. We also allow students to use computers for taking exams. The computer exam software runs on Windows and, starting in the Fall 2010 semester, there will be a native Mac version as well (Intel-based Macs only.)
Buying A Computer
Lenovo offers discounts to Hastings students on its entire product line, including award-winning ThinkPad notebooks and free shipping. Visit the Lenovo/Hastings site. Hastings students can also purchase computers through numerous retail outlets in the Bay Area. We currently specify HP desktop computers and IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad laptops for staff and faculty use. Hastings students can purchase computers at University of California prices at The Scholar's Workstation, a non-profit program at the Berkeley campus (http://www.tsw.berkeley.edu/). Make sure to get as much memory and hard drive capacity as you can afford (min. 2GB RAM and 80GB hard drive for Windows 7). For computer exams, you need to have wireless (802.11 b/g). Make sure to install all Windows and antivirus updates. You can get your free copy of McAfee antivirus http://uchastings.edu/infotech/virus-scan.html. You can also find low-cost computers at other outlets. The Hastings Bookstore (415.565.4610) has software at educational prices.
Other Resources
Our Web site has numerous resources available, including computer training materials and resource guides under the IT section (www.uchastings.edu/IT). We have a site license for WordPerfect, and students can make a copy in the computer lab. We also have drop-in hours for computer help. For further questions please contact the IT Help Desk or Eric Noble, Director of Information Technology.