If you create documents with LaTeX, then either build it straight to pdf via pdflatex or write the dvi file, use dvips to convert to postscript, and use ps2pdf to map this file to pdf.
If you use MS-Word, there are several options. The easiest is on a Mac to simply go to the Print dialog box and under the PDF button, choose "Open PDF in Preview" or "Save as PDF". Alternatively, on a Mac or PC, you can use Acrobat (not the free reader) from Adobe. They developed the pdf format and have a complete set of tools available for mapping to pdf from many formats. You can also mark up pdf files directly with Acrobat. Of course, the down side is that you have to pay for it (Acrobat Reader, the free package, doesn't convert files), but you can use a copy available on the department's server. Open a remote desktop to csnt-ts and log in with your cse username and password. From within this new session, you can access Acrobat directly or through various programs, such as Word or PowerPoint. To generate pdf files from a Word file, select print and select Acrobat as the printer.
Alternatively, within Word you can print to a file (but make sure you select a postscript printer!) and rename the .prn file to be a .ps file. Then use ps2pdf in UNIX.
Finally, other available packages, some with free demo versions, include (in no particular order):
Certainly there are other options available. Email me with other suggestions and I'll add them here.