Computer labs specialize in helping USU students
The computer labs have been on campus for about as long as people have been using computers. Gary Egbert, Information Technology manager, said that the first labs were started around 1985. There were only two labs and 80 computers at that point.
“The organization has grown,” he said.
On campus there are 12 open-access computer labs, which are free for all students to use.
“As long as you have your student ID card, you can use any open-access computer lab on campus,” Egbert said.
“Computer labs update and patch machines within a week of the patches being released,” said Les Seeley, Engineering Lab manager. This happens at least once a month. Egbert said the computers are on a network, allowing updates to happen more quickly and easily.
“We have a program called Deep Freeze, which protects the students … by deleting everything as soon as you log out,” he said.
This prevents personal information or viruses being passed between users.
“We will be updating to a new website that will be released before spring semester,” Egbert saod. The website would include availability charts, showing which computers are in use at a lab at any given moment. Other facts, such as history of the labs, and lab hours would also be included.
“We have security alarms and other procedures in each computer lab,” Egbert said. He said there have not been very many problems with theft.
“We get from 10 percent to 30 percent to 40 percent below student pricing,” Egbert said. They bargain with the companies for bulk discounts. Students can benefit from this if they buy computers from the bookstore.
The computer labs, though primarily for student use, serve other purposes as well. Nathan Smith, manager of the Adele & Dale Young Education Technology Center, said it “serves as the resource center for the College of Education and Human Services.”
In addition, Smith said it offers free technology workshops to student, faculty and staff. Last month workshops covered Microsoft Office programs, and this month Photoshop training will be offered. He said more information could be found at the education website.
The computer labs also contain printers, which cost a small amount to use. All students who have paid their student fees receive $1.80 towards printing.
Students can add money to their cards by visiting the card office in the TSC, adding money online, or by using the fill station in the Merrill-Cazier Information Commons.
Labs offer both color and black and white printing. There are also express print stations where students do not even need to log onto a computer to print things.
“We do not regulate how long a student can be on a computer, where they sit, or what the are working on,” Egbert said. The labs are intended for educational use, and different labs have programs to assist certain tasks.
“The open-access computer labs are committed to assisting Utah State students in pursuit of their academic goals by providing state-of-the-art computer services and software,” Egbert said. He said that the labs coordinate with faculty to insure that all software covered in classes is available in an open access lab.
The computer labs also offer student employment opportunities. Egbert said that they have “employment opportunities with real-world application and hands-on experience of the computer labs.”
The employees there are trained to help students with any problems they might have. Egbert said “if you have questions, please ask.”
Different types of computers are found in different labs.
“The TSC, SciTech, Agricultural Science, Family Life, Engineering and TechEd, Engineering, Old Main and ATLC are equipped with PC computers with a Windows operating system,” Egbert said.
“The Information Commons, Huntsman Business and YETC have both PC and iMac computers available,” he said.
The last few weeks of the semester, the computer labs have extended hours. The TSC computer lab is open 24 hours a day the week before final exams. This allows students access to computers whenever they may need them.
The computer labs are not the only place where computers are available for use.
“In the Merrill-Cazier library, there are 18 group rooms that are equipped with computers,” Egbert said. These rooms require a reservation, but otherwise are free for students to use.
– melody.campbell@aggiemail.usu.edu