Lab Information
The Drop-In Lab (Smith 415), Collaboratory (Smith 415C), and Sherman Lab (Smith 401) each contain Windows PCs running a suite of common GIS and office software. A valid UW Net ID is required for login.
The Collaboratory and Sherman Labs also host courses. The Sherman Lab may be used during scheduled course times ONLY at the instructor’s discretion. Course schedules and reservations are listed on the room calendars (below).
Regular Hours
Labs are closed on all University holidays and during breaks.
| Sherman Lab (Smith Hall 401) | Drop-In Lab (Smith Hall 415) | |
| Monday | 9:00am - 5:45pm* | 9:00am - 9:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am - 5:00pm | 9:00am - 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am - 5:45pm* | 9:00am - 9:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am - 5:00pm | 9:00am - 5:00pm |
| Friday | 10:00am - 4:00pm | 10:00am - 4:00pm |
* Sherman Lab open until 9:00pm for GIS Certificate Program
Course Schedule and Reservations
Reservation policy prioritizes Department of Geography classes as well as other partner programs. To request use of lab spaces, please contact geoghelp@uw.edu.
Lab Rules
All students are expected to follow UW's Appropriate Use Policy. Violations of laws or policies are regarded as a serious matter and may result in revocation of access or other disciplinary actions under the UW’s authority to define and enforce its policies.
Eating and drinking is not allowed in the labs! NO EXCEPTIONS!
No software is to be downloaded and/or installed onto any of the lab machines without the explicit consent of the IT Services Supervisor. This includes, but is not limited to, applications, web browser plug-ins and related software, games, fonts, and/or utilities. Users do NOT have administrative access and will not be granted admin credentials to lab machines. All software installations should be submitted before the start of the quarter if needed for teaching or required coursework.
Users should avoid saving anything to the local hard drives of computers in Geography labs. Students should store files to their own external USB drive, cloud services, or use the UW’s central file storage services.
In some courses, students will be using very large files that cannot be handled over the network. Students should copy data to C:\Temp while working on these files, and then copy the file back to their allotted network space when finished, to ease network congestion. These files will automatically be removed from the computer when it reboots.
When a class or lab section is being taught in the Sherman Lab, other students’ access to empty computers is at the discretion of the instructor and depends on available space and the needs of the class or lab section currently in session. Instructors may opt to close the lab completely, however if other students are given access they can and will be asked to leave if they are disruptive or violate any lab rules.