Email & Network Access * Information for Students

Off-Campus

Note: If you are already connected to the Internet, and wish to check your mail from off-campus, you can use Outlook Web Access.

Columbia University provides over 650 modems for dial-in service to the University community at speeds up to 56 kb/s. Dial-in lines to the campus modem pool have a two-hour limit during peak operating times from 6 pm-12 am. (Caution: you do not get a warning before your line is disconnected at the end of the time period, so monitor your connect time.)

The modem pool offers both terminal emulation service and Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)/Point to Point Protocol (PPP) access. SLIP/PPP support allows users to run Web browsers such as Netscape or Internet Explorer.

To help you get started with using SLIP/PPP service on the modem pool, AcIS offers a dialup software kit that's available from the 242 Horace Mann for $5.

Two phone numbers are available to the TC community to connect to the Internet:

(212) 854-3100
(212) 519-3900

The modem bank is a local (212) area code, so those calling from outside the region will have to pay long distance or toll charges on their phone bill. An alternative would be to use another Internet Service Provider which provides either 800 number or local telephone connections. One can connect to most Columbia resources from the Internet. There are many Internet Service Providers to choose from. Some examples of low-cost Internet Service Providers are Juno and Netzero. (Please note, however, that Teachers College does not support or endorse these free ISP providers, but lists them as an alternative to long-distance dial-in.)

If you have problems with dialing in, please call Academic Computing at x3302 or email acs@tc.columbia.edu.