Communications and Media

Students are caught in a dilemma that involves completing their school assignments on time. They must set aside time to use a computer to finish their assignments, write cover letters for jobs andor for other activities. However, finding a computer at the student center is futile because of (a) long lines, (b) so little time allotted to use them and (c) the short time frame the center is open. The school is required to improve the quality of our education so we can achieve our goals.

Purchasing laptop computers would be one option. Having students use them for up to two hours a day might help alleviate student frustration with unavailable computers. They could not be taken out of the student center and anyone using them would have to sign out for them and be held accountable for any damages caused while in their possession. The administration would have to pay for these computers, but that would be an investment for students.

Obtaining computers could be done by a local business (like Staples) who agrees to either donate or sell computers at a discounted price. It would pose a win-win situation for all parties. The students would have access to computers, a local company helps out the community and the administration save money in the process (by not raising tuition the following year)

Students are frustrated because they have term papers, exams and other materials that must be finished. Not everyone has access to their own laptop or to the school computers. Classmates may not be able to afford a personal computer. The computer rooms are closed when class is not in session. Using those could help the growing problem of too many students needing too few computers. That is why this plan makes sense to students.

Another idea being discussed is expanding the computer lab hours. They are open for business for just a few hours per day (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) when most people are already in class. Opening the labs until 9 p.m. would give more students a chance to sue the facility and get their work done. Keeping it open later would be great as well given how students have other commitments during the day.

Staff would be either a computer professor who could donate his time or a teaching assistant who could sue the credits. The latter might be a better given the student to student interaction that could occur. Students may feel more comfortable talking with one of their peers as opposed to a professor.

Having a teaching assistant present can offer other benefits. One does not have to pay for their time. The school could consider other options such as course credit, discounts on merchandise at the school store or at local establishments. Having volunteers supervise the computer labs would save money for the school and have people available on-site to answer their computer-related questions.

A final plan would be to use some of the space proposed for a parking lot for additional classrooms. Being able to purchase more computers (again, using the local businesses for donations would be key in this case) gives students a chance to do their work without worrying about if they can even get to a computer.

This idea could get dicey since the administration would have to consider this in their budget meetings and during their Board of Directors meetings. It would cost thousands of dollars and there is no guarantee that the renovations will be completed in time for current students to use them. This could be a long, protracted issue that might not come to a positive conclusion for the students.

Students want to have access to computers so they can complete tasks and become more responsible for their work. Getting computers to the students would serve as a positive step toward accomplishing this. The current situation is not working and will only get worse once the mid-term exams and term papers start getting assigned. Having computers available to more students can only be a good thing. Students would be willing to work with the volunteer staff to make this work.

This problem of not having enough computers to fulfill the growing and dire needs of the student body will not go away. The school must consider doing something to stop this issue of not having enough computers to go around. An institution of higher learning should not be cutting corners to save money for its stockholders. They should be developing quality resources to help their students achieve to their greatest potential.