In this day and age, it's almost impossible for a college student to survive without a dependable computer. With the low income and constricting budget that accompany college life, not many students can afford to purchase their own PC. So they depend on the University and its computer labs to fulfill their needs.
However, with more than 20,000 students enrolled at The University of Memphis and only around 70 labs, with anywhere from two to 54 seats available, some may find themselves confronted with long lines when trying to finish that last-minute paper.
"We have two 24-hour computer labs on campus, the McWherter Library and Smith Hall, which are the largest and most popular," said Doug Hurley, vice president of information technology. "The remaining labs are associated with a particular academic program and their hours vary depending on that college. But as far as creating another 24-hour lab for student use, there is a definite need."
Although most are in agreement that another super-lab is a priority for The University, there are a lot of problems that come with a plan like this.
"Right now we are working with the dean and the provost office to find the best way of going about this," Hurley said. "The biggest challenge is finding the area or facility on campus to house enough PC's to establish a third 24-hour lab."
Building a completely new lab or expanding on existing ones is one solution to this problem, but some students would just like to know where the other labs are located.
"I usually use the lab in the library after class. Its always packed and I end up waiting in line," said Chris Bradner, junior individual studies major. "I think the best thing to do is to put up some kind of map outside the library lab showing where the other labs are."
The idea of a map is an excellent idea and something that will be considered, according to Ann Harbor, chief information officer of information technology. But in the meantime, Harbor thinks students should take advantage of the Internet. You can visit http://tl-info.memphis.edu, go under lab hours and get information on a specific lab based on college, building or the lab, including the hours of operation.
Another idea that is being shopped around is some sort of software or technology that would allow a student to check and see if a lab is full or not. This would save students the trouble of a wasted trip. Also, a technology called I-print is being considered that would allow someone to work on something from any computer and then have the option to print it in any building or lab that they choose.
"This will be especially helpful to those who use laptops," Harbor said.
All of these ideas will go a long way in decreasing the congestion problem in the labs, but students can also help out by being considerate of how they spend their time in the lab.
"We did a survey of why most students use the labs and it came out that a majority use them for browsing and online-chatting," Harbor said. "This is something that we cannot monitor or control, but we want to offer students more stand-up computers used for checking e-mail and quickly printing things."
Expect this type of computer to be everywhere in the new University Center that is being developed.
In the meantime, students will just have to make the best of the situation.
"I use the lab in the library and I usually try and come as early as possible," said Anthony Johnson, sophomore broadcast journalism major. "I don't think the University needs another lab because I know we have a lot. I would just advise students to come before 10 or 11 a.m."
However, as far as a new 24-hour lab is concerned, it looks like this might become a reality sooner than most think.
"We have submitted a proposal to the dean of students to include a huge lab in the new University Center that is being developed," Harbor said. "It will be able to seat around 150 students."
