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Questions
- How do I prepare my computer and technology for an office move?
- My office is moving — what do I need to do with my computer?
- Who unplugs and reconnects my computer when I move offices?
- Does Facilities or IT move my computer and printer?
- I'm getting a new desk — how do I get my technology set back up?
- How much notice does the Service Desk need before an office move?
- How do I get a printer moved to a new location?
- What happens to my Teams phone when I move?
- Can I get my monitors put on a monitor arm during the move?
- Who drills the hole if I need a monitor arm mounted to my desk?
- What should I do with my monitor's original stand if it goes on an arm?
- Who do I contact for a full building or department move?
Environment
This article applies to Bowdoin faculty and staff who are moving offices, receiving a new desk, or reconfiguring a workspace.
- In scope: Bowdoin-owned computers, monitors, peripherals, printers, and MFDs being moved on campus.
- Not in scope: Full building moves and large departmental relocations, which begin with the Facilities Project Management team; and personal equipment.
Questions
Understand who moves what
Two teams share responsibility for an office move, and knowing the split saves time:
- Facilities Management physically moves your equipment and furniture from one location to another.
- The Service Desk handles the technical side — disconnecting your computer and peripherals beforehand, and reconnecting and testing them at the new location. Printers and MFDs also need network configuration changes, which the Service Desk coordinates.
Important: Facilities moves the equipment, but does not unplug, un-cable, or reconnect it. Submit a request to the Service Desk so a technician can disconnect before the move and reconnect afterward.
Before the move
- Confirm your Facilities move date.
- Submit your request to the Service Desk at least 3 business days ahead (larger moves need more lead time). Choose the option that fits:
- Moving your whole office or workspace — use Request an Office or Workspace Move.
- Just one computer to unhook and set back up — use Request Computer Disconnect or Reconnect.
- A printer or MFD is moving — use Request a Printer Move under the Printers & Hardware service.
- Back up any files saved locally to OneDrive or your department network drive before moving day.
- Note your equipment's asset tags or device names to include on the request.
After the move
- Once Facilities has placed your equipment, the Service Desk will reconnect and test it as scheduled.
- Confirm your computer is on the network and your printers appear as expected.
- For your Teams desk phone, no request is needed — plug it into any network port and it will work. See Setting Up Your Teams Phone at a New Location in the Related Articles section.
Planning a full building or department move? Those begin with the Facilities Project Management team as a larger planning conversation; IT is brought in as part of that process.
Monitor arms
If any of your monitors are on a monitor arm — or you'd like them mounted on one at the new location — tell us on your request so a technician arrives with the right tools for removal and remounting. It helps to note whether the arm is a through-desk (grommet) mount or a clamp-style mount, since desks differ.
Two things to know about monitor arms:
- If installing an arm requires drilling a hole in a desk or surface, that work is generally Facilities Management's responsibility. Let us know so we can coordinate rather than delay your setup.
- Please keep the monitor's original base or stand in a safe place. You'll need it if the monitor is ever taken off the arm in the future.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.