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Questions
- What is Claude and how can I use it at Bowdoin?
- Does Bowdoin provide access to Claude?
- What can Claude help me with for research, coursework, or my job?
- What is the difference between LibreChat and the Claude apps?
- Which Claude tools are available to me?
- How do I get started with Claude as a student, faculty, or staff member?
- Is Claude approved for use with Bowdoin data?
- Where do I go to sign in to or request access to Claude?
Environment
This article applies to all Bowdoin community members who want to explore or use Claude, the artificial intelligence (AI) assistant from Anthropic.
- Who: Students, faculty, and staff.
- What: The Claude web, desktop, and mobile apps; Claude Code; Claude Cowork; and Bowdoin's LibreChat gateway.
- Sign-in: Bowdoin single sign-on (SSO) through Okta for accounts that have been set up.
Resolution
What Claude is
Claude is an AI assistant from Anthropic that helps with writing, analysis, coding, research, summarizing documents, and multi-step tasks. You interact with Claude in plain language through a chat interface or through specialized tools such as Claude Code and Claude Cowork.
How to access Claude at Bowdoin
Bowdoin offers Claude through a tiered access model so you can start quickly and request more capability when your work needs it:
- LibreChat (open to everyone): A Bowdoin-hosted gateway to Claude for general use. Students must complete the required Artificial Intelligence Ethics course before LibreChat access is granted.
- Claude tools directly (by request): Direct access to the Claude apps, Claude Code, and Cowork through an access request. Faculty research use and faculty requests for whole-class use are approved automatically; other student and staff requests may require review.
- Application programming interface (API) access through Portkey (coming soon): Programmatic access for advanced and research workloads, governed through the Portkey gateway.
Note: If you just want to try Claude, begin with LibreChat. If you need the full Claude apps, Claude Code, or Cowork, submit an access request. For details on the tiers and how to request access, see Get Access to Claude at Bowdoin in the Related Articles section.
Learn the basics
Three companion articles cover the essentials. To sign in with your Bowdoin account, see Sign in to Claude with Your Bowdoin Account (SSO) in the Related Articles section. To pick the model that fits your task, see Choose the Right Claude Model in the Related Articles section. To work efficiently and stay within your usage limits, see Optimize Your Token Usage in Claude in the Related Articles section.
Using Claude responsibly
Important: Follow Bowdoin's data-handling policies. Do not enter confidential, regulated, or personally identifiable information into any AI tool unless that tool has been approved for that kind of data. When in doubt, ask the Service Desk before you paste anything in.
If you are a student, check your course syllabus and your instructor's guidance on permitted AI use before using Claude for coursework.
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.
Additional Resources
AI-assisted content: This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing tool and reviewed by Bowdoin IT staff for accuracy.