By Randa Anthony
Students and instructors have been complaining about the availability of computers on campus.
During the week before spring break, students said they had to wait in line for a computer to become available in LRC-D.
"I wanted to finish up a paper," said one student. "We don’t have a computer at my house, so I have to do them all at school. When I got there (LRC-D), there was already four people waiting. It took almost an hour before I got to a computer and then I only had 20 minutes before I had a class."
Instructors have also been affected by the overcrowded labs. One instructor said that some of her students claimed they couldn’t complete their work because they couldn’t find an available computer.
LRC-D computer lab assistant, Brain Harbeck said, "The availability of computers is only really a problem between about 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. because of students cramming in papers and assignments right before class."
Larry Rousey, director of physical plant, said that there are possible plans once the LRC-D construction is complete to enlarge the lab to accommodate about 80 computers. While adding computers in that lab will increase availability, some instructors speculate the noise level will go up.
As one student said, "It’s not that the people in the lab are loud; they’re usually writing papers or checking email. It’s just that the lab was in the middle of two offices with ringing telephones."
He added, "Their location might make them accessible to students, but they are also kind of distracting when you’re trying to get something done."
Lab assistant Harbeck said, "I think the computer services department here at IVCC is doing the best job possible in order to open up other labs to make room for all of the students."
In response to the problem, the A208 computer lab will be open for the remainder of the semester from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays. This lab will be open for student use at these times unless there is a reservation for a class, in which case there will be a sign posted.