Computer Laboratories
Western Piedmont Community College maintains multiple computer laboratories for instructional purposes in areas such as Accounting, Art, Business Administration, Computer Information Technology, Digital Effects and Animation, Simulation and Game Development, IPP/ASL, Medical Office, Nursing, and Administration/Medical Office Administration. The Art, DEAT, and SGD labs utilize MacIntosh computers while Medical Office and Nursing labs run Microsoft-based computers.
The programs offered through the Business and Public Services Division use computer laboratories equipped with Microsoft-based computers, and provide scanners and printers. The Library has an open lab available for student use. Software offered includes: word processing, spreadsheets, database, multimedia, graphics, programming and networking. In addition, the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering maintains computer laboratories dedicated for computer languages, CAD/CAM graphics, mathematics, statistics, horticulture, physics, networking, and other science, engineering and technology applications. They contain PC workstations running Windows and Linux.
Printing in Computer Laboratories
All students will receive a free $25.00 allotment per semester for the purpose of printing in the Library, the Academic Success Center, and the second floor of the Foothills Higher Education Center. This allotment will be tied to the individual student’s Western Piedmont computing account. This allotment will amount to either 250 black and white prints (.10 each) or 125 color prints (.20 each) or any combination of both amounting to $25.00, at no charge. If a student exhausts his or her $25.00 free allotment during any semester, additional blocks of copies must be purchased and added to their accounts. Additional copies may be purchased in minimum $5.00 blocks, at any of three locations: 1) the Library, 2) the Campus Bookstore, or 3) the Business Office.
A meter will show up on the open lab computer screen, every time a student submits a print job, to alert them to the remaining balance. At the beginning of each semester, free printing allotments will be reset to $25.00. Those students who have purchased additional copies during the previous semester will be given credit for those copies directly purchased, but the free allotment will always reset to $25.00.
Printing on classroom computers and in curriculum-specific computing labs is monitored, but is not charged to the student’s account. Printing control in these facilities is at the discretion of the instructor and/or divisional staff.
Computer Usage Policy
All use of College computing and related information technology resources is governed by the “Acceptable Use of Computing Resources” policy which is located on the College website. All Western Piedmont Community College students should familiarize themselves with this document, as violation of this policy could result in the revocation of computer use privileges campus-wide and/or punitive legal action.
Student Computing Accounts
The Division of Technology & Learning Resources will create campus computing accounts for all registered curriculum students, on or before the beginning date of classes for each semester. These accounts will be accessed by a username and password. The student will use this username and password to log into any campus open lab computer, access student email, Pioneer Pass, Blackboard, Moodle, library online databases, and the campus WiFi system. Student passwords may be changed using the ‘Password Station’ utility accessible through the ‘Western Piedmont Online’ section of the College’s web page. A brief tutorial on using Password Station is also available at the same link.
Student Email Accounts
Western Piedmont Community College has partnered with Google Apps for Education to provide College email accounts for each student, as a means of communicating important information. These student email accounts offer the option of being maintained as an alumni account after leaving the College. These accounts will allow the College to easily provide the student with notices of important deadlines for registration and financial aid, changes in academic status, academic and social events, etc. This account will be the only email account the College and College instructors will use to communicate with students.
New students will receive a pamphlet detailing computer usage policies and procedures with his/her admissions letter. Copies of this pamphlet are also available in all campus open computer labs, and at the Technology & Learning Resources Division Help Desk in Moore Hall Room 017. In addition, information about computer user accounts, and access to a utility that will automatically provide the student with his or her computer username and student email address, can be obtained by clicking on the “Student Computing Accounts” link under the “Western Piedmont Online” section of the College’s homepage at www.wpcc.edu.
Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi)
Western Piedmont Community College provides numerous Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the main campus, Jim A. Richardson complex and the Foothills Higher Education Center including student lounges, common areas, and the Library. The College continues to expand the scope of wireless access. If a student wishes to use Wi-Fi on the main campus, he or she will need to have his/her laptop configured with an electronic certificate. This certificate will permit the student to log on to the wireless network, whenever they wish, using his/her assigned network username and password. Instructions for configuring a laptop to use the College’s electronic certificate can be found by clicking on the “Student Computing Accounts” link under the “Western Piedmont Online” section of the College’s homepage at www.wpcc.edu.
Computer and Technology Support Services
Assistance with Western Piedmont Community College computing accounts, lab computers and software, classroom computers and instructional technology, wireless networking, student email, audiovisual and other technology issues is available through the Technology Help Desk at 828-448-6030 or by email at techsupport@wpcc.edu. The Help Desk maintains hours Monday through Thursday, 8:00am - 7:00pm and on Fridays, 8:00am – 5:00pm. During off-hours, a technology support request can be placed through either voicemail or email and a technician will attend to the request on the next business day.
Illegal File Sharing Activities
It is a strict violation of College policy to use any Western Piedmont Community College computer or personal computing device connected to the Western Piedmont Community College network for the purpose of illegal file sharing of copyrighted materials. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of such file sharing protocols as Bittorrent or Gnutella for the purpose of peer-to-peer sharing of legally copyrighted music, video, software, etc. Such illegal activity puts the College at risk for legal action by copyright holders; therefore, activity of this nature will not be tolerated. Violation of this policy will result in the revocation of College network access rights for a significant period of time. Repeat offenders may be suspended from the College and reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Phifer Learning Resources Center
The E. W. and Mary Adair Phifer Learning Resources Center is a focal point of Western Piedmont Community College and provides a broad range of library and media services. In addition, Learning Resources provides instructional development, videoconferencing, media production, and multimedia services to classrooms.
Library
Located on the upper level of the Phifer Learning Resources Center, the Library is a place for students to do research and study. Rooms are provided for individual and group study. The Library of Congress Classification System is used for the arrangement of books, and an online catalog provides access to library collection materials for on-campus and distance learning students. An information commons consisting of 16 computer stations is available, in addition to library-wide wireless network access.
Library resources include about 40,000 printed books, 119,000 electronic E-Books, 140 printed periodical titles, and over 2,000 videotapes and DVDs. Publications not owned by the Library may be secured through interlibrary loan. In addition, the Library provides access to a wide variety of electronic databases which contain indexing, abstracting, and full-text retrieval of articles from an extensive library of professional, trade, and popular journals. The acquisition of passwords from library staff allows for remote access to this vast library of online data by currently enrolled on-campus and distance learning students.
Library information tours are available upon request. Reference staff offers a library instruction program, which includes customized presentations, resource guides for class assignments, and guidance sheets on locating and using library resources.
The Library’s normal operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30am - 8:00pm and Friday, 7:30am - 5:00pm. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30am - 7:00 pm and Friday, 7:30am - 5:00pm.
The Raymond B. Goodfellow Art Gallery
The Goodfellow Gallery is named after the late Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raymond B. Goodfellow, and is housed within the Library. The Goodfellow Gallery provides a forum for exhibiting the work of faculty, students and regional artists. Rotating exhibits provide for a variety of visual media and artistic styles throughout the year. Periodic receptions are held to introduce the work of various artists.
Media Services
Media Services, administered by the Division of Technology & Learning Resources, provides a qualified staff and excellent facilities to support instructional programs with material production and audiovisual equipment. Located in Moore Hall Room 017, Media Services personnel provide a wide range of traditional audiovisual services, as well as support for emerging instructional technologies. Media Services is also responsible for supervising, scheduling, and operating the College’s television, videoconferencing, media production, North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) room, and multimedia classroom facilities.
Media Services' normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Off-hours scheduling can be arranged, well in advance, to provide Media Services personnel for College-sponsored special events. Limited in-classroom AV support is available for evening classes through the Technology Division Help Desk (6030) which operates Monday through Thursday, 8:00am - 7:00pm and Fridays, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Library
Housed in the Phifer Learning Resources Center Library, the Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Library and Museum includes books, correspondence, photos, documents, professional and family memorabilia, original political cartoons from the Watergate era, awards, and other materials collected by Senator Ervin during his many years of public service. The goal of the Library/Museum is to provide scholars and students with a wide range of resource information concerning the life of Senator Ervin, the United States Constitution, Constitutional and political history with emphasis on the Watergate era, and US and North Carolina legal and general history.
The Dr. Jean C. Ervin Mark Twain Collection
Also housed in the Phifer Learning Resources Center Library, this collection, donated by the noted Twain scholar and sister of Senator Ervin, consists of over 400 books and many collectibles. The collection of books written by and about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was collected over a fifty-year period with the oldest dating from the 1870’s. The collectibles are comprised of figurines, plates, comics, etc. depicting famous scenes from Twain’s beloved books. Many of the limited edition figurines are based on illustrations by Norman Rockwell, the famous American illustrator.
The Grace DiSanto Poetry Collection
Housed with the Dr. Jean C. Ervin Collection, this comprehensive collection of the award winning Morganton poet’s work, along with biographical material on her life, is available for in-house review by the public, upon request.
Although materials in the Senator Sam J. Ervin Library and Museum, the Dr. Jean C. Ervin Mark Twain Collection, and the Grace DiSanto Poetry Collection are non-circulating, a comfortable, private reading and study room is provided for students, scholars, and the general public who wish to explore these unique collections.