Microcomputer Services

Departmental Apprentice Program

Computer support is a big issue here at the U of O. Microservices provides for phone support, at their 346-4412 number, and walk-in support is available in 151 McKenzie Hall. But departmental faculty, staff, and students often have problems that a phone call won't solve. The Departmental Apprentice program was started to address these needs.

Departmental Apprentices are students, hired and trained through Information Services by Microcomputer Services, sent out to individual departments to help satisfy the need for personal, hands-on support. The program focuses on desktop operating systems (like the MacOS and Windows), networking, and day-to-day operations. The students can help with email problems, network connectivity, operating system problems, and other ongoing problems that may require a more personal touch.

Several departments on campus have used the apprentices with great success. Currently the students are servicing Friendly Hall, PLC, Esslinger Hall and the surrounding area, the Moss Street buildings, and Geology and adjacent departments. The departments with apprentices are not charged for their time; the students are paid through an EdTech allotment for providing this service. The departments who host these students provide a desk and a phone, so that the students can field calls and make appointments with the staff in need.

The apprentices are not meant to be system administrators or programmers. Their support is directly to the users, the faculty, staff, and students of their area. Within those restrictions, they handle any and all problems that come their way. The students also make recommendations on hardware and software for the departments as well as ongoing support duties. It's this direct support, the personal hands-on attention that Microservices is unable to provide, that makes the Departmental Apprentice program so useful.

Siince the program's inception in 1997, it has enjoyed a great deal of success. The program prepares the apprentices for real-world support positions, and offers them an opportunity to take on real responsibility.

Departments who are interested in this program can contact Spencer Smith by sending email to spencera@oregon.uoregon.edu, or calling 346-1752. Students who are interested participating in the program may come to 151 McKenzie Hall, and fill out an application. A reasonably high level of knowledge in networking, Windows, MacOS, or related high-tech fields is required.

For more detailed information on this program, please read our Departmental Apprentice Guidelines page.

Current Departmental Apprentice Contact Information