Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, here is a list:

This list was updated October 2024.

(You may require Dept. approval to use the room.)

For University building abbreviations/codes, check here:

• University Building Abbreviations/Codes or University Building Map.
• Students can also access much of the Engineering software from ANY computer (personal or at some other computers on BU’s campus) using Citrix.
• Instructions for using Citrix are here: http://collaborate.bu.edu/engit/Citrix

Some College of Engineering Rooms that have computers are (please note these rooms may have limited access):

• PHO305 & PHO307 – ECE VLSI Lab (Only Linux Machines)
• ENA 125 (ECL)
• ENG301 (CAD)

Ingalls has become a popular place and we have non-engineering students using the facilities. Unfortunately, students from other schools have taken space and resources from engineering students and we have been asked to do ID checks. Engineering students can bring in guests from other schools but any non-engineering student not accompanied by an engineering student will be asked to leave.

Engineering students will be given a $150 credit from July 1 to July 1 for use in Ingalls. (Please note this is for one year and not each semester). The cost is $.10/page. You can only print from the Ingalls computers and not your laptop.To see your used amount go to https://eng-printers.bu.edu:9192/app You must use your quota wisely. There will be no increase. Based on past use, $150 is more than the average student needs. (Printer error requests to icancino@bu.edu). We have no color printers. You can purchase color copies at the Fed. Ex. Shop and Print Center at 115 Cummington Mall. http://local.fedex.com/ma/boston/office-5012/

The printer system has been set up with these restrictions:

1. Jobs over 40 sheets will not be printed
2. Spool size cannot be larger than 20MB
3. You can only print two copies of one item
4. Duplicate items submitted within 10 seconds will be denied.

Often Ingalls’ printers are overused. This causes problems for students, Monitors and ENG IT staff.

Let’s follow these simple rules to avoid this:

• Ingalls is not your main source of printing. All students should use the University print system or their own printer. BU MYPRINT: http://www.bu.edu/tech/support/printing/myprint/ The number of printers we have in Ingalls and the free print quota is very generous. But we cannot accommodate all students. You must make use of other resources.
• Ingalls printers are intended for school related items only. No personal printing.
• We are entering a paperless age. Think about what you are printing. If it doesn’t need to be printed, don’t print it.
• If you are a member of a student group, you are given a budget for printing and do not need to use Ingalls’ printers.

Rooms are not for individual use. Please use the study carrels or center room. Individuals may use the rooms, if no group needs to use them.

The center area is intended as quiet space. The LED TV sound needs to be off at all times, captions on.

Please watch your belongings at all times.

Please tell the Monitor of equipment problems.

Ask the Monitor for any assistance.

Only enter with your Boston University Terrier ID Card. Do not let people in without card access.

Ingalls is not a lounge. All activity should reflect that.

The Ingalls Center is for engineering students only. ENG students can invite guests. (When the room is crowded, we may check IDs to make room for engineering students.)

We do allow food in the Center. However, you must clean up and leave food trash in the barrels outside of Ingalls. If you are neat, we will continue to allow food.

Long computer projects should be done in labs. Electronic assembly or research lab work must be done in labs

We have lockers for short-term use only.

The ENG Career Development Office, has worked very hard to get engineering magazines for the Ingalls Center. We hope you find them useful. We ask that you be sure to return them when done. CDO also has some career development magazines you may find interesting in their office, Room 112 at 44 Cummington St. If you find an engineering area or topic not covered, let the Monitor know.

We would like to hear some feedback from the Ingalls Center users. Much of what you see in Ingalls comes from student suggestions. Any questions or problems: icancino@bu.edu or during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:00pm, : 617-353-2809, 600 at 44 Cummington St.

You can review the Ingalls site for more information.

Please do not assume your laptop is safe from theft at Ingalls (or any other place on campus) Even with the locked doors and security cams, someone can walk off with your laptop, if they want to. Please protect all your belongings in Ingalls.

The Boston University police can register your laptop. You can get more information at: http://web.bu.edu/police/services/laptop/

Although Ingalls is a favorite of many Engineering students, there are other quiet study places. Here are some of them:

Central Campus

1. Dining Halls – Be sure to look in your residence hall for late night studying in the dining halls. For example, Warren Towers transforms the Melville Lounge at night into a study lounge.
2. ENG Tutoring Center, 44 Cummington Street, Room 105 – It is a quiet room and if you get stuck on a homework problem, there is a tutor right there to help you. It’s open Monday through Thursday, 5-10pm and Sunday 3-6pm.
3. Pavement Coffeehouse, 736 Commonwealth Avenue – Relaxed, Cafe-style environment. The coffee will help keep you awake!
4. George Sherman Union, 3rd floor – This is next to the Dean of Students Office (nice and quiet!). It’s carpeted, and GSU food is right below you!
5. Pardee Library, Questrom School of Business, 595 Commonwealth Avenue, 3rd Floor – There are good cubicles and plenty of internet ports. Starbucks is in the building for a quick study break, too.
6. Photonics Building – Plenty of internet ports and some good cubicles placed around the building.
7. Random Classrooms (PSY, CAS, GCB, etc.) – As long as a class is not in session, you can use classrooms on campus. Try the Psychology Building (64 Cummington Street), the College of Arts and Sciences (725 Commonwealth Ave), and the General Classroom Building (750 Commonwealth Ave).
8. School of Education Library, One Silber Way, Basement (corner of 605 Commonwealth Avenue) – The library isn’t generally crowded and they have some sofas available.
9. School of Law, 765 Commonwealth Avenue, First Floor – There’s a lounge area that is quiet with good tables and vending machines.

West Campus

1. Sleeper Hall, 2nd Floor Study Lounge – You can stay at West Campus, but still leave your room.
2. Student Village 1, 10 Buick Street or Student Village 2, 33 Harry Agganis Way – Top floor serves as a study lounge and what a view!

East Campus

1. Myles Standish Hall, 610 Beacon Street – Features the Bradford Lounge (you can talk in this lounge), Lower point Lounge, and Point Lounge (this is a quiet lounge. There’s a monitor there to make sure it’s quiet).
2. Shelton Hall Study Lounge, 91 Bay State Road, 9th Floor – The view overlooking the Charles River can’t be beat. There is a quiet room and a group room.
3. Kilachand Hall, 91 Bay State Road, 9th floor lounge – the view overlooking the Charles River can’t be beat. There is a quiet room and a group room.
4. Yawkey Center for Student Services, 100 Bay State Road – There are chairs and tables scattered throughout the building. Find your own private nook.
5. The Towers, 140 Bay State Road, Dining hall – now serves as a 24-hour study lounge.
6. 575 Commonwealth Ave – Top floor is a study lounge. Can also study on first floor (has vending machines).

Off Campus

1. Boston Public Library – Take the Green Line to the Copley Street Stop. Turn Right when you exit the train. The library is on your right. If you need to get off-campus for a break, this is a nice quiet place to go. All the resources you could need are there. Bonus: you get to go downtown!

Did you know there are 27 libraries on campus?

They are great places to study, and they have the resources you need!

For the complete list, click here.

If supplies disappear, they will not be replaced. You may look for a stapler someday and find there are none. Some items have been returned in a few days, some have not. Often, I found the person responsible and sometimes I have not.

We know that the vast majority of Ingalls users show great respect for the place and other Ingalls users but it will be a few people who ruin it for others.

We have also noticed that some people have taken Ingalls items to put in a lab. No item should be removed from Ingalls for any reason. Supplies for the labs, including paper for the printers, are supplied by the Depts. If you are in need of a supply in a lab, I can help you get it but you should never remove something from Ingalls.

If you have a missing item or know where it is, please get it back to Ingalls. Once these items are gone, they will not be replaced.

Is it safe to leave things lying around unattended in Ingalls?

Although we are happy students are comfortable with Ingalls enough to leave their belongings such as cell phones and laptops lying around unattended, this is strongly discouraged. No one should rely on the security system and/or cameras in Ingalls (or anywhere on campus) to find lost or stolen items. The best defense is to always keep an eye on your own belongings at all times. Sometimes a thief will act on impulse and there are criminals who walk around campus pretending to be students, looking for the opportunity to take something.
Although Monitors are trained regarding suspicious activity and criminal behavior, it is up to all Ingalls’ users to keep the place safe. Monitors cannot watch your stuff. They have many duties and cannot be responsible.
We have laptop locks available at the Monitor Station and lockers for short term use of a couple of hours.
Locker use is very strict and carefully monitored so all will have an opportunity to use them. If one person overuses the lockers, the items are removed and the lock is changed. This immediately frees up the locker for others. Please respect others by only using the lockers for a few hours.
Here is more information on safety on campus at the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) website: http://www.bu.edu/police/crime/

Although we are happy students are comfortable with Ingalls enough to leave their belongings such as cell phones and laptops lying around unattended, this is strongly discouraged. No one should rely on the security system and/or cameras in Ingalls (or anywhere on campus) to find lost or stolen items. The best defense is to always keep an eye on your own belongings at all times. Sometimes a thief will act on impulse and there are criminals who walk around campus pretending to be students, looking for the opportunity to take something.

Although Monitors are trained regarding suspicious activity and criminal behavior, it is up to all Ingalls’ users to keep the place safe. Monitors cannot watch your stuff. They have many duties and cannot be responsible.

We have lockers for short term use of a few hours.

Locker use is very strict and carefully monitored so all will have an opportunity to use them. If one person overuses the lockers, the items are removed and the lock is changed. This immediately frees up the locker for others. Please respect others by only using the lockers for a few hours.

Here is more information on safety on campus at the Boston University Police Department (BUPD) website: http://www.bu.edu/police/crime/

Try http://www.bu.edu/tech/