Computing and Information Resources

Technology is increasingly an integral part of a student’s education. In addition, many student services and information are delivered via technology. To provide the KSU student with a quality education delivered most conveniently, technology is used as an essential part of instruction, for student access to educational materials, and for the delivery of student services.

A technology fee is collected each term to provide students with improved technological resources including: greatly enhanced on-campus and remote access to the internet; important software packages such as Microsoft Office delivered on-line; student training in use of computer technology; increased access on campus through extended laboratory hours; computer connections;  an electronics study room in the Sturgis Library; upgrade of student laboratories, and instruction in the use of advanced multimedia presentation technology in the Audio Visual Technology Services laboratory.

The Kennesaw State University Website exists to assist students with course registration and reviewing of grades. In addition, the KSU Website delivers quality content to the reader. Each year brings new technology, creative uses of technology on campus, and additional services to meet growing needs.

Mandatory KSU E-Mail Account

KSU generated e-mail accounts are the official means of communication with students. Instructions can be found at uits.kennesaw.edu/support/netid.

KSU’s Vice President for Operations and Chief Information Officer/Chief Business Officer

The Vice President for Operations and Chief Information Officer (CIO)/Chief Business Officer (CBO) provides leadership in the continuing advancement of information and instructional technology. This position oversees the operations of information technology which includes the KSU Library System, University Information Technology Services, Museums, Archives and Rare Books, and Enterprise Information Management and Institutional Research.

The University Library System

The Kennesaw State University Library System is comprised of the Johnson Library on the Marietta Campus and the Sturgis Library and Performing Arts Library (PALS) on the Kennesaw Campus. The mission of the Kennesaw State University Library System is to provide excellent services and resources that directly support the University’s efforts to become a world-class comprehensive university. Essential to achieving this mission is a Library System that selects, organizes, presents, and preserves resources for the KSU community of faculty, students, and scholars.

Librarians are available to assist students with research via the walk-in Research Clinics at both the Johnson Library and the Sturgis Library, in “The Hive” at the Johnson Library, via 24/7 chat services, and through specialized one-on-one research consultations. Support is also available via text (SMS messages) at (470) 578-6547 and telephone (470) 578-6325. Graduate students may seek assistance from a graduate-level librarian who holds an advanced graduate degree or has specialized training. Library Instruction classes are also provided for students and faculty. The library’s online Research Guides provide additional information about the library’s numerous journals, databases, services, and resources.

KSU students and faculty have borrowing privileges not only from Johnson Library and Sturgis Library but also from all of the member institutions of the University System of Georgia as well as the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE). Through the SuperSearch discovery tool, students can instantly access millions of resources, including books, ebooks, journals, databases, videos, and government documents. Mobile versions of the library catalog and databases are available. Interlibrary Loan services may be used for items not owned by one of the participating Georgia libraries.

The Library System hosts the DigitalCommons@Kennesaw State University. The Digital Commons is a digital resource for KSU’s intellectual and creative out-put. With the increase of KSU’s graduate programs, the Library System uses the Digital Commons to self-publish dissertations , theses, and capstone projects and make them available via the web. These resources are fully searchable by keyword or author and are indexed by major search engines such as Google Scholar.

The Library Systems’ Copyright Management Center is intended to assist Kennesaw faculty, staff, and students in working and complying with copyright issues, specifically in balancing the rights of copyright holders with the exercise of fair use for educational purposes.

During the fall and spring semesters, the Sturgis Library is open 95 hours each week, with extended hours during exams. Johnson Library is open 80 hours weekly with extended hours during exams. Both libraries are open seven days a week. Mac and PC computers are available in the Information Commons on the first floor of the Sturgis Library. Laptops may be checked out by students for library use and are available at both the Sturgis and Johnson locations.

Both individual and group study spaces are available at both libraries. In January 2016, the Sturgis Library reopened the newly renovated OwlSpace on the first floor. This space is a “noisy” community space where students are free to collaborate and work on group projects. OwlSpace also includes multiple presentation rooms, wireless service, a state of the art data wall, and vending machines. The Graduate Library, located on the third floor, offers a quieter study area containing 144 cubicles as well as seven glassed-in study rooms for quiet group study, a room for graduate research assistance, and a room for making copies and viewing microfilm.

The Sturgis Library houses a partial Federal Government Documents Depository for the Sixth Congressional District. Sturgis Library also supports the Performing Arts Library (located in the Wilson Building), the Teacher Resource and Activity Center or TRAC (located in the Bagwell College of Education), and the Paulding Campus of the Georgia Highlands College Library. For more information about the libraries visit our webpage, library.kennesaw.edu.

University Information Technology Services (UITS)

University Information Technology Services (UITS) provides KSU with the technical resources for students to carry out scholarship, academic collaboration, research, and innovation. Students can expect the state of the art technology they require for learning management, course registration and research as well as instructional classrooms and voice/data solutions to help them prepare for future careers.

Students are given a KSU email account, personal web space, and web-based file storage. Students are also eligible to participate in online and face-to-face training sessions for commonly used software, multimedia development, production assistance and information security.  Student software applications are accessed via a single sign-on authentication with one login ID and one password. Student help desks with extended hours and walk-up services are available at the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses to answer any questions and provide technology advice. Wireless access is available on all campuses and continues to expand as the University grows.

UITS maintains both traditional computer labs with printing and copying services as well as Virtual Labs that allow students to use productivity software at home on their own devices. Equipment checkout options are available for students with audiovisual technology needs including data projection systems, video playback, video recorders, audio players/recorders, public address systems, and microphones through the AV Circulation desks at the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. Assistance with graphics creation, multimedia file conversion, audio/video duplication, video editing/compression and desktop publishing is available in our multimedia lab.

The rules for use of all campus technology and telecommunications equipment, including telephones, computers and fax equipment, are found on the KSU web site at policy.kennesaw.edu/policy/information-technology. Use of any of these facilities or services implies an understanding of and compliance with these policies.

Visit uits.kennesaw.edu to learn more about the technology services available for students and to find contact information and operation hours for the KSU Service Desk.

KSU Archives and the Office of Records Management

The mission of the Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books (MARB) at Kennesaw State University is to provide stewardship for and access to KSU’s collections that meets the highest professional standards. MARB is comprised of five units, two of which focus on documents and records management.

The KSU Archives preserves the historical memory of both campuses of Kennesaw State University and the broader community by identifying, collecting, and making accessible records of enduring value. The Archives provides reference services, reproduction requests, and project consultations, as well as advice on the preservation and maintenance of paper, audio-visual, and electronic materials. Holdings include university records, oral histories, and the collections of organizations, businesses, and individuals active in Northwest Georgia. The website address for Archives is archives.kennesaw.edu.

The Records and Information Management (RIM) program aims to provide clear direction for establishing auditable methods of capturing, classifying, storing, retrieving, retaining and disposing of records and information. Through the implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices, The Office of Records and Information Management offers a variety of services to the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses in order to comply with the Board of Regents’ records retention policy and guidelines, and to meet the legal, fiscal, and administrative needs of the University. The website address for Records Management is records.kennesaw.edu.

Enterprise Information Management and Institutional Research (EIM/IR)

The Office of Enterprise Information Management and Institutional Research (EIM & IR) provides a broad range of services to faculty, staff, students, and administrative offices both internally and externally. EIM & IR facilitates the continuous improvement of KSU’s enterprise-wide data management, data quality, and data warehousing efforts as well as meets institutional research, analytics, and information reporting needs for decision-making support, strategic planning, and organizational and operational effectiveness at the institutional and unit levels.

EIM & IR provides services that include: developing and distributing a wide range of data products for internal and external individuals, groups, units, and organizations; developing and conducting analytical studies concerning the learner and financial enterprise; supporting administrative (Deans, department Chairs, and so on) evaluation efforts; developing and conducting student engagement studies; supporting university-wide planning and assessment efforts; and supporting special studies for the administration.