Catalyst's computing commons provide much more than just email and word processing; they are co-located with other services to provide students and faculty with a rich set of resources that enhance teaching and learning.

Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center

The Computing Resource Center is in Mary Gates Hall (MGH) with nearly 200 workstations, and is conveniently co-located with Career Services, Advising, and the Adaptive Technology Lab.

The Odegaard Learning Commons

The Odegaard Learning Commons, with hundreds of workstations, provides access to learning technologies in the heart of the undergraduate library. The computing help desk and library reference services are a single point of service, providing "one-stop shopping." A variety of technology studios are available throughout the Odegaard Learning Commons.

Software & Hardware

• View software list
• View hardware list

Help-Desk Services

Knowledgeable Student Consultants are available at help desks in the computing commons to provide client support on a wide range of hardware and software applications.

The Computer Vet is a free, help-desk service offered to UW students, faculty and staff to assist with computing problems including operating system updates, anti-virus installation and updates, and infected computers blocked from UW network access.

Help is available in the Odegaard Learning Commons and MGH Computing Resource Center. For more information and do-it-yourself documentation, please see Computing & Communication's Computer Vet Information page.

Policies

By using the Catalyst Learning Spaces, clients agree to abide by all policies. Clients are also expected to know the rules governing the appropriate use of the UW campus network. For more information, please see Knowing the Rules. Misuse or failure to abide by all use policies will result in the loss of privileges. For questions about these policies or the Catalyst Learning Spaces, send email to catalysthelp@u.washington.edu.

General Usage Policies

• The Catalyst Learning Spaces are open to all students, staff, and faculty of the University of Washington with a UW NetID.
• Clients must abide by the Guidelines for Use of UW Computing and Networking Resources.
• Academic work takes first priority; recreational use takes lowest priority.
• Workstations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cannot be reserved. Clients agree to relocate to other workstations when requested by staff.
• Catalyst and the University of Washington are not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. The lost and found is located at the main staff desk of each facility. Lost and found information can be obtained in person. It will not be released over the phone. Staff will attempt to assist in the recovery of data but cannot guarantee its recovery. The client accepts the risk that data can be irrecoverably lost.

Hardware

• Clients may install and use personal hardware on Catalyst equipment, provided the hardware can be installed without disabling security settings on the computers and no damage is done to Catalyst equipment.
• All connections and configurations must be returned to the previous state after the hardware is removed.
• Support is not available for personal hardware.

Software

• Licensed software on the computers may not be copied for any purpose.
• Clients may install and use personal software on Catalyst equipment, provided the software can be installed without disabling security settings on the computers and no damage is done to Catalyst equipment.
• Proof of license must accompany any personal software installed on lab machines.
• Support is not available for personal software.

Scanning Stations

• Graphics and scanning stations are for graphics and scanning applications only. Clients needing these resources have priority.