In accordance with the new Watkins Hall building hours, Information Technology Solutions (ITS) is adjusting the hours of operation of the Watkins computer labs. Starting January 4, 2025, the Watkins computer labs will be closed on weekends.

ITS understands that this change may impact the study habits of Highlanders. Please note the alternative computing options available to students to ensure continued academic success:

Laptop Anytime Kiosks

ITS offers several self-service laptop kiosks for UCR students on the main UCR campus. Students interested in using a university device on weekends to complete their work can check out a laptop for up to 24 hours at one of the various Laptop Anytime Kiosks on campus.

Each device in the Laptop Anytime Kiosk carries the following software titles:

• JMP (Windows)
• Mathematica (Windows)
• MATLAB (Windows)
• Microsoft Office (Windows, Mac)
• Respondus Lockdown Browser (Windows, Mac)
• SAS (Windows)
• SPSS (Windows, Mac)
• STATA (Windows, Mac)
• Yuja (Windows, Mac)

There are currently five Laptop Anytime Kiosks available, each housing 30 laptop computers (PCs and Macs). They are located in the following areas:

• First floor lobby of the Tomás Rivera Library (two kiosks)
• First floor lobby of the Orbach Science Library
• First floor lobby of the Highlander Union Building (HUB)
• First floor lobby of the Student Success Center (SSC)

Students can access the Laptop Anytime Kiosks during the respective operating hours of each location. To view library hours, visit the Library website. To view the HUB and SSC building hours, visit the Highlander Union Building website.

To check out a laptop from one of the Laptop Anytime Kiosk locations, students must have a valid physical R’Card and knowledge of their UCR NetID credentials. It is also important to note that students must not have any holds on their account.

Laptops must be returned within 24 hours of checkout. If not returned on time, a $5 late fee will be incurred for each hour after the 24-hour period. This fee will continue to add up until the laptop is returned to the designated kiosk. Please take into consideration the operating hours of the Laptop Anytime Kiosk locations when taking laptops off-site.

Visit the ITS Knowledge Base to learn more about the Laptop Anytime Kiosks including how to check out and return a laptop, the full terms and conditions, and frequently asked questions. 

Patron Desktop Computers

In addition to the Laptop Anytime Kiosks, students also have access to the patron desktop computers located in the Tomás Rivera and Orbach Science libraries. The public computers are available to students and can be found on multiple floors across the two libraries. 

Virtual Access to Specialty Software via VLab Service

Any computer, including the laptops from the Laptop Anytime Kiosks and the patron desktop computers, can access the same software installed on the lab computers through itopia, UCR’s Virtual Computer Lab (VLab) service.

Students can access itopia by visiting the CloudApps Classroom portal. To log in, follow these steps:

1. Click “Sign in with Google.”
2. Enter your UCR NetID email address (e.g. scottyb@ucr.edu) to be directed to the CAS login page.
3. In the CAS login page, enter your UCR NetID and password.
4. Verify your identity using multi-factor authentication (MFA).
5. In the itopia Privacy Policy page, click “Continue” to enter the CloudApps Classroom portal.

IT Support

BearHelp student technicians will be stationed at the IT Support desk in the libraries every weekend. The IT Support desks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. If you require technical support outside of operating hours, you are encouraged to submit a ticket online or browse self-help articles related to your IT question or issue.

To learn more about the campus services available to Highlanders, visit the ITS blog.