Technology on Campus

Bringing a Computer to Campus | Free and Discounted Software | Educational Tools

Kent Campus Computer Labs | Kent Campus Maker Spaces

Regional Campus Computer Labs | Printing on Campus

BRINGING A COMPUTER TO CAMPUS

Hardware Recommendations

We strongly recommend checking with your school or college BEFORE purchasing a computer. Some colleges have specific computer and technology requirements.

Specific Requirements for Certain Majors

Below are programs with specific requirements at time of publication:

  • Aeronautics and Engineering
  • Architecture and Environmental Design
  • Art
  • Business Administration
  • Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Nursing
  • Visual Communication Design

Visit www.kent.edu/is/techreqs for information on current requirements.

Need a Computer?

Students can get discounted pricing on Apple and Dell!

The Flash Technology Center (certified Apple Store) is inside the University Bookstore on the first floor of the Kent Student Center. Purchase a new Mac in-store and get FREE setup!

Dell computer discounts are available online via Dell.com.

Security Updates and Recommendations

  • Run operating system updates
  • Enable the built-in operating system firewall

Security Tip: When using public Wi-Fi, connect to the VPN for a secure, encrypted connection. AnyConnect VPN is available free at software.kent.edu. Start it after you connect, and sign in with your FlashLine credentials.

FREE AND DISCOUNTED SOFTWARE

Kent State continually works to save students money by negotiating license agreements for various software packages.

Adobe Creative Cloud

New for 2018! All Kent State students can purchase a one-year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud for only $75 per year! The subscription license includes the full suite of programs - over 20 titles like InDesign and Photoshop!

Get more information and download the software at software.kent.edu.

Google Apps

Included with your Kent State email account, students have access to numerous Google Apps as well as unlimited storage in Google Drive.

FlashLine: Select the Drive icon in the top right of the screen.

Desktop or Mobile: Install Google Drive to sync your files while working offline.

Online: Sign in to Google Drive at drive.google.com using your FlashLine username and password.

Statistical, Research & Mathematics Software

Kent State manages licenses for a number of research and statistical packages.

FREE:

  • SAS
  • Qualtrics
  • JMP
  • NVivo

Discounted:

  • SPSS
  • AMOS
  • Wolfram Mathematica (Kent, Stark, and Ashtabula)

Get more information and download the software at software.kent.edu.

Free Microsoft Office

You can install the Microsoft Office suite on up to five devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Follow the instructions at support.kent.edu/office and download your free copy today!

Security Tip: Using peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software to download copyrighted materials without the permission of the copyright holder(s) is illegal. Find out how to legally access copyrighted materials at security.kent.edu.

EDUCATIONAL TOOLS

Blackboard Learn

Blackboard Learn is Kent State's official application for accessing online course materials, grades, assignments, and tests. It also serves as a communication and collaboration tool between students and instructors.

Access Blackboard Learn via the Blackboard icon in FlashLine or at learn.kent.edu.

Training guides and online tutorials are available at www.kent.edu/blackboard.

Blackboard for Mobile

  1. Download Blackboard from the app store.
  2. Choose Kent State University as your school.
  3. Sign in with your FlashLine username and password.

Kaltura

Kaltura is Kent State's video hosting, sharing, and recording application. It is integrated with Blackboard Learn to allow videos to be embedded in any Blackboard text editor.

Log into Kaltura using your FlashLine username and password at video.kent.edu.

KENT CAMPUS COMPUTER LABS

Information Technology maintains two public student computer labs that are open to all Kent State students. Each lab offers both Windows and Mac computers.

  • 150 Library (first floor main area)
  • 222 Kent Student Center

Each computer lab is equipped with:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • FileZilla
  • Acrobat Reader
  • SPSS
  • SAS (Windows only)
  • LockDown Browser (for test taking)
  • and more!

Visit support.kent.edu/labs for hours of operation and additional information.

Library Workstations

The University Library has more than 160 computers available for public use. Check current availability at apps.library.kent.edu/computermap.

Academic Labs

Many academic areas maintain their own labs across the Kent Campus. These labs are primarily reserved for students within specific majors, but may double as public labs when no classes are tests are scheduled.

Residence Hall Labs

Residence Services supports four computer labs that are only open to students living in the residence halls. Each computer is equipped with Windows and Microsoft Office.

The residence hall computer labs are located in:

  • Verder Hall
  • Tri-Towers
  • Twin Towers
  • Manchester Hall

Security Tip: Always reboot lab computers before and after using them. Be sure to sign out of your email, Flashline, and any other websites you use. Gmail and Flashline don't automatically log out.

KENT CAMPUS MAKER SPACES

Kent State has a number of maker spaces that are available to all students, regardless of major. These spaces feature special tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, photography equipment and more.

ARTech Studio

School of Art, 041 & 043 CVA – Laser cutter, 3D printer, stencil cutter, and digital router. Costs vary. Email artechstudiokent@gmail.com for appointments.

Digital router cutting a design out of wood

Digital Photo Studio

School of Art, 155A CVA – Camera, lights, backdrop, and computer workstation. Free of charge for students. Schedule at time at ksuphotolab.youcanbook.me.

Digital Fabrication and Print Center

College of Architecture and Environmental Design, 329 CAED – Laser cutters, color plotters, and 3D printers. Costs vary.

Female student using laser cutter

Spark Innovation Studio

191-192 Schwartz Center – 3D printer, laser cutter, prototyping tools, project studio space, and more. Costs vary. library.kent.edu/spark.

Student Multimedia Studio

Library First Floor – Workstations with Adobe Creative Cloud and other audio, video, and graphics editing software, scanners 3D printers, 3D pens, and more. Free of charge for students.

girl using 3D pen to create a spider web

TechStyleLAB

The Fashion School, 302 Rockwell Hall – Textile printers, laser cutter for textiles, embroidery machine, knitting machine, 3D body scanner, and more. Costs vary. www.tech-style-lab.org.

Girl using textile printer

REGIONAL CAMPUS COMPUTER LABS

Ashtabula

  • Library L112 and Public Lab
  • Main Hall C232 and Student Lounge
  • Morrison Hall H202

College of Podiatric Medicine

  • Main Building 211

East Liverpool

  • Mary Patterson Building 316 and 320
  • Purinton Hall 107 (Math Emporium), 318, Quiet Study (2nd Floor), Slak Shak (River Level)

Geauga

  • Main Building 128, 144, 148, and 149

Twinsburg Academic Center

  • Main Building 117, 119, 120 and 124

Salem

  • City Center 209
  • Library Smile Lab
  • Main Building 113, 125, and 141

Stark

  • Fine Arts Building 043, 045A, and 105
  • Library Public Stations and Math Labs (002, 008, and 009)
  • Main Hall E101, 208, and 306
  • Science & Nursing Building 001

Trumbull

  • Classroom Admin. Building 112, 116, 125, 127, and 142
  • Library Lab & Internet Cafe
  • Technology Building 216, 218, 252, and 258

Tuscarawas

  • Founders Hall Academic Learning Commons
  • Founders Hall Cybercafe

Many Regional Campus classrooms double as computer labs. Availability may be based on class schedules.

PRINTING ON CAMPUS

Kent Campus Printing with FlashPrint

Public printing is available in most computer labs by using your FLASHcard for payment. Print directly from your personal computer or mobile device by emailing the document to flashprint@kent.edu or by uploading the document to flashprint.kent.edu.

Double-sided printing is available in some computer labs. Choose "2-sided" in the print dialog box, and the second side prints for FREE!

For more information, visit support.kent.edu/print2lab.

two students using printer stations in the library

Bringing Your Printer to Campus

You will need a USB cable to use a personal printer on campus.

Personal wireless and bluetooth printing are not supported.

Regional Campus Printing

Public printing is available in select regional campus computer labs by using your FLASHcard for payment. Check with your local computer lab to see what printing services are available to you.