|
Media and Computing Services Merge
Some student policies have changed
By Benjamin Neslter
Whalesong Staff
Media Services has merged with Computing Services under the auspicious
name of Information Technology, or “IT,” and equipment
rental has moved from the first floor of Egan Library to the computer
lab. IT Services now encompasses the support center help desk, video
production, audio/visual services, academic labs and classrooms,
information systems, (servers, security, and email) infrastructure
services, (networking, and employee desktops) and lastly instructional
support and faculty development.
Michael Ciri, Director of IT Services said that the
biggest change for students will be convenience because the Computer
lab is open seven days a week. One drawback to the increased hours
is the day at a time policy. Last semester, if you checked out a
video camera or whatnot on a Friday, it was not due back until Monday
morning. Now, if you make a rental on Friday, it is due back Saturday
morning. Who wants to get up on a Saturday morning to return a camera?
Formerly, students could check out a Dell laptop computer
with a wireless card included for a week at a time at no charge.
Now, the computers are available for single day use just like everything
else except wireless cards. Although if there is nobody signed up
for the next day, you may check the computer out again. Special
arrangements for extended rentals will be made for an academic need
– all you have to do is talk to Barney Norwick, the academic
technology manager.
Wireless cards have been extremely popular this semester
with 141 students checking out wireless equipment, which they rent
for the entire semester. If you didn’t get one this semester,
you probably may as well buy one because they don’t have any
left to rent. With prices falling from about $200.00 a year ago
to $50.00 now for a wireless card, the department is tentatively
thinking about selling the cards in the library and not purchasing
any more than they already have.
Jim Gage, coordinator of Media Services talked about
the University’s commitment to broadcast and administer the
BLA, MPA, and starting this fall, the MBA program via satellite,
video conferencing, internet, and even on cable television.
Gage said, “We need students with a sense of responsibility
to assist in broadcasting our classes all over the state. We are
willing to offer a paycheck in addition to learning how to broadcast
television, no experience necessary.” Nine classes are currently
offered this semester via satellite, with more to come.
Video editing is still available on the first floor
of Egan next to the Learning Center with four non-linear editing
stations available: two PC’s and two Mac’s. You can also
make color copies and transparencies and a scanner is available
too. The equipment is state-of-the-art, and available to all students
at no cost. Your technology fee is going the distance with IT!
Back to issue contents /Homepage
|
|
