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Picker Computer Center
The SIPA computer lab was first created in 1985 with a grant from the Aurora project. The expansion of SIPA's computer resources in the Nineties reflected the transition of international affairs and public administration from a qualitative to a quantitative science. In 1995, the lab was named the Picker Computer Center to honor former SIPA dean Harvey Picker, whose generous gift enabled the school to expand and upgrade its computer resources. The labs, in addition to being used for word processing, have also developed into an instructional facility providing students with the skills needed to compete in the current job market. Students learn the fundamentals of research design, measurement, and data analysis using statistical packages. Computer-based simulations supplement classroom instruction in economics and security courses, and all students can use the facility for hands-on training in financial management, cost-benefit analysis and accounting.
To meet the School's increasing demands, the computer center is upgraded regularly. It houses an instructional in 510A, a smaller lab in the Lehman Library (321B), and a 24-hour computers on the 6th floot. These are equipped mostly with Core i5/i7 systems, laser printers on the SIPA network and several scanners. The labs support programs essential for the SIPA curriculum. These include Microsoft Office, SPSS, Stata, ArcGIS, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premier Elements, Adobe Acrobat Prox X, Adobe Contribute, Adobe DreamWeaver and Internet services. SIPA's computer labs are open over a hundred hours each week during the academic year, in addition to the 24-hour computers. All users require a valid ID for access to the SIPA network.
Staffing
Harpreet Mahajan, Executive Director of Information Technology is responsible for strategic planning in the Office of Information Technology. Associate Director Noel Vargas is responsible for infrastructure, research and development, and security of the SIPAIT systems. Noel Wo is the Network Manager; responsible for network maintenance and support. The Systems team is led by the Systems Manager Xavier Olivos, who supervises four System Coordinators - Ian Searles and Hannette Un. Systems Coordiantor Nicholas Cosme and William Ruiz will be part of the Student Support Group and will provide laptop support to students. Technical Coordinator Jacqueline Ruiz provides administrative support to SIPAIT, Oscar Canepa is the Faculty Support Specialist and will serve as the point person for SIPA faculty IT support. The audio-visual services are support by the AV Systems Manager Frank Rapkiewicz and AV Coordinator Simon Jolly. In addition, approximately 20 trained student consultants support the student labs and audio-visual services.
Software
All software that are required for the SIPA programs are available in on the SIPA network.
Use of personal software is not allowed in the SIPA labs. Piracy of software is legally prohibited and we request your help in preventing it. If any special software is needed, please send your request to sipait@columbia.edu. Please be advised that all new software, data sets, and documentation should be made available well inweek in advance for installation and testing.
Rules and Regulations
By logging in to the SIPA Network, you agree to comply with all of the University and SIPA Computing and acceptable use policies.
- Network disk quota is limited to 5GB for school work related file storage. This storage is a community resource, and this policy is intended to ensure equitable usage of this shared commodity.
- Please remember not to save any personal information, such as tax returns, credit card statement, CD images, program installer or any sensitive/confidential data on the desktop or the network drive.
- Do not store audio or image files on the network unless they are class related. All video media files must be saved to personal removal media.
- Do not backup files from your personal computer onto the network.
- Disk and storage space will be monitored and multimedia files may be removed if the user has exceeded space provided or multimedia files are not work related.
- Remember to logoff the system when you finish work, This will help to protect your data and prevent any unauthorized access.