Sacred Heart University resides on more than 100 acres in Fairfield County. The University’s College of Health Professions and the College of Nursing are located at 7 Cambridge Drive, Trumbull, and houses the College of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Human Movement and Sports Science.
Instructional Technology and Student Mobile Computing Program
Recognizing the increasingly important role of technology in our society and in education, Sacred Heart University has made a commitment to, and a serious investment in, computers, networking, and its supporting technologies. The University’s network infrastructure provides connectivity to every facility on campus via a fiber-optic backbone.
VPN and virtual desktops are available to provide connectivity solutions for even the most sophisticated applications, from anywhere on the Internet. Browser-based e-mail is available through the web, for sending and receiving campus e-mail from any computer connected anywhere on the Internet.
To promote its “Anytime, Anywhere Learning” initiative, Sacred Heart University launched wireless networking in the summer of 2000 to create one of the first wireless network campuses in New England. This infrastructure allows students to use portable devices anywhere on campus. The current wireless standard is 802.11n.
The students’ computing laboratories are currently comprised of 498 desktop computers distributed throughout several academic facilities. Nineteen laboratories are used for computer-related instruction, and an additional lab provides 24/7/365 access for Sacred Heart University students, faculty, and staff. The University continues to upgrade regular classrooms to technology-enhanced classrooms with fixed multimedia capabilities that allow instructors to fully integrate technology in their classroom presentations. All general-purpose classrooms are equipped with large-screen displays, classroom computers, laptop connections, Blu-Ray players, and audio capabilities. All classrooms on campus are equipped with an active data jack for instructors or students to access the network. More than forty percent of all general-purpose classrooms are equipped with lecture-captive technology. Additionally, there are data/CATV connections in every suite and wireless networking is accessible throughout the campus. The network infrastructure is designed with future technologies in mind and with excess capacity to allow for significant growth. The University is making a serious financial commitment to maintaining the network at peak performance capability and reliability. Upgrading the software and hardware that support the network is a continuous process and not one the University will ever say is complete. Sacred Heart’s commitment is to keeping a state-of-the-art system in place for all our campus customers.
The University is part of a select group of academic institutions that embraces the mobile computing philosophy. Every full-time undergraduate student is encouraged to purchase and use a laptop during their academic life at the University. Information Technology fully supports a variety of laptop models from Lenovo, Apple, and Dell. Sacred Heart University provides all full-time faculty members with a choice of laptop, tablet, or Mac laptop refreshed every three years. We offer similar programs to our adjunct faculty who are issued a supported laptop. We build and deploy an image which contains the latest Microsoft Office software and other necessary tools and utilities.
Through the use of Sacred Heart University’s learning management system, Blackboard, faculty are provided with the ability to remain connected to students outside of the classroom. Blackboard’s functionality allows faculty to post their syllabus electronically, add course content, foster group communication outside of the classroom, and administer electronic exams. In addition, the University provides all faculty with a WebEx account, a tool which enables instructors to host synchronous learning sessions beyond the physical classroom environment. Separate from the faculty accounts, Sacred Heart provides students with WebEx accounts to conduct synchronous group work sessions from any location with an Internet connection.
Computer Facilities
Sacred Heart University offers a state-of-the-art campus network. The library, classrooms, on-campus residence facilities, health and recreation center, and faculty and administrative offices are all networked. With its fiber-optic infrastructure, the University is positioned to support a wide range of emerging technologies. The University has established itself as a pioneer in the implementation of technology across the curriculum.
A host of multiprocessor campus servers support the labs and educational programs. The University’s gigabit Internet, backbone support, and wireless network are linked throughout the campus. The network also supports video, voice, and data across the campus. State-of-the-art routers and firewalls provide high-speed connectivity and security to wide area network (WAN) segments, and are managed completely in house. Administrators maintain traffic-shaping, intrusion prevention, and wireless security measures for access as secure as it is convenient. The University has adopted the “Blackboard” Transaction System to create a simplified means for identification and commerce transactions on campus. The SHU identification card can also be used at select off-campus merchant locations to facilitate additional commerce transactions.
In support of the laptop program, the University has an on-site Notebook Service Center and Call Center (The Factory) staffed by certified technicians and open 12 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, and 9 hours on Friday. The Factory is staffed five days a week, so that members of the University community can call trained technicians for assistance with anything on campus that pertains to technology. The Factory can be accessed on campus through the internal telephone system and off campus via a toll-free telephone number. This facility is specifically designed to service and troubleshoot problems with laptops. Through Sacred Heart’s telephone support hotline, students, faculty, and staff can dial a toll-free number or e-mail tech support to obtain technical assistance. In addition, Sacred Heart University has a full-time training department, which provides multiple workshops every month to train faculty, staff, and students on various technology applications. One-on-one sessions are available by appointment and can cover any software supported by the University.
Office of Special Learning Services
The Office of Special Learning Services (OSLS) provides instructional accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who request academic accommodations must submit appropriate documentation and register with OSLS. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the OSLS provides reasonable instructional accommodations and services including disclosure letters, alternate testing accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, and academic adjustments. For appointments, call 203-371-7820.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The English Language Institute at Sacred Heart University offers an accredited, full-time Intensive English Language Program to prepare students for their successful study in an American academic institution. Full-time ESL students enroll in eight-week sessions, taking a cluster of oral communication, written communication, and grammar, totaling 22 hours per week. Placement in the noncredit, preacademic Intensive English Language Program is determined by an English Placement Test and the student’s language profile.
Students who successfully complete their ESL classes at the Sacred Heart English Language Institute are not required to take another proficiency test to enroll in other degree programs at Sacred Heart University. Admission to the English Language Institute does not guarantee admission to the University. Students are allowed to take credit courses while taking advanced ESL courses at the same time. For more information regarding the program, contact the director at 203-365-7528. The program runs five semesters per year. Please see the English Language Institute website for further information: www.sacredheart.edu/esl
Study Abroad
Sacred Heart University offers a variety of graduate study abroad programs around the world—with programming that supports a broad range of educational, professional, and personal objectives. Short-term programs offered over the winter and summer terms are available.
Choose from courses taught at the University’s own sites in Ireland and Luxembourg, or choose courses taught by SHU faculty in additional countries. Courses completed will fulfill degree requirements. Applications are available online one semester before the program start date.
Students participating in SHU programs pay the regular Sacred Heart tuition rate plus a program and/or study abroad fee. Federal and state financial assistance as well as Sacred Heart University grants may apply to SHU and SHU-affiliated semester study abroad. Specific program cost and scholarship information is located on the Office of Global Affairs website.
For more information, contact the Office of Global Affairs at 203-396-8028 or locate programs online at www.sacredheart.edu/studyabroad.
Housing
Inquiries as to the availability of graduate housing or regarding off-campus rentals may be made by contacting the Office of Residential Life at 203-416-3417.