2008 Woodie Awards
Jammed labs leave students waiting
Isaura Linares
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Campus
- Page 1 of 1
Humboldt State University computing labs are swamped. The 7,781 students attending Humboldt State University greatly outnumbers the 264 computers available via Academic Computing facilities.
While IT tests new software, students are left to either wait it out in line, or take their chances on other equally busy computer labs.
Desktop IT, Systems and Services already has one possible solution in the works called Labs Stats, a new software program. Labs Stats is designed to fix this problem by giving students instant access to information that indicates which computer labs have computers available for use. IT began testing the software last week.
Andy Alm, Interim Director of Desktop IT, Systems and Services, and Jeanne Wielgus, Labs Manager, have both received numerous complaints about the long lines in computer labs.
"We'll be able to see the trends that demonstrate the use of the computer labs that justify more computers or more labs," said Alm. "Having hard numbers will really help drive our budget, which is what will help buy more computers, or better computers."
While waiting in line at the library's computer lab, Humboldt State sophomore Lexi Wagers said, "I've only been waiting for four or five minutes. And I've noticed that no one has left yet, so I don't know how long I'll be waiting."
Wagers said she usually waits no longer than 15 minutes in a computer lab, but says it all depends on the day and time she goes to a lab.
Rush hour typically happens between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Wagers said she avoids going to the computer labs during this time, but admits that it is almost impossible to avoid.
"When I'm printing something before class I try to get here early enough, but sometimes I feel it's not early enough and I'm going to be late," Wagner said. "Sometimes I find myself just not printing [an assignment] in time for class, and I'll just tell the teacher and most teachers don't like it when you do that."
Alm reminds students that there is wireless access on campus "to make it possible for students to bring their computer and get on the campus network."
"There are other things being talked about for making software packages available for students at home, for example," Alm said. "Although nothing is quite in the works yet."
Frances Delgado, sophomore student at HSU, has a computer at home that use different software than the ones on campus. It took her running around campus to find a computer that would print her assignment.
"I just try to go wherever there is a computer and someone can help me," she said.
Wielgus said it is important that students know and are aware of where computer labs are located so that if one computer lab is full they can go ahead and look for another one.
"We have a little handout on our Web page [that] shows where all the labs are because sometimes I think people don't know where all the labs are," Wielgus said. "And that can help. We have those at the help desk too."
Alm and Wielgus also recommend that students try and avoid rush hours during the week. Try and go to computer labs "later in the afternoon, on Fridays when there are fewer classes scheduled, early in the mornings, first thing in the morning," said Alm.
"Some [labs] are open at 7 a.m.," said Wielgus. "And also [check] if professors would take assignments electronically," she said.
"I think it would be nice if there was a section that was dedicated to quick printing, and then a section dedicated to just writing papers and things that will take a little longer," she said. "Then another section for people that would like to go on MySpace and watch YouTube videos."
Wagers understands that while some people might not have a computer at home or Internet access she thinks that academic work is more important than writing to friends on MySpace.
Delgado recommends that IT Services put a limit on the time students are on the computer.
"Probably an hour for the computer and then after you get off at least wait 15 minutes so somebody else can use it and not just get back on," Delgado said.
Both Alm and Wielgus like the idea of having designated computers where students can log into a computer just for printing or to check email. For this to happen, however, newer computers would be necessary so that logging in won't take as much time.
To find out more information about computer lab hours or locations, visit http://www.humboldt.edu/~ac/.
Isaura Linares can be reached at il4@humboldt.edu
While IT tests new software, students are left to either wait it out in line, or take their chances on other equally busy computer labs.
Desktop IT, Systems and Services already has one possible solution in the works called Labs Stats, a new software program. Labs Stats is designed to fix this problem by giving students instant access to information that indicates which computer labs have computers available for use. IT began testing the software last week.
Andy Alm, Interim Director of Desktop IT, Systems and Services, and Jeanne Wielgus, Labs Manager, have both received numerous complaints about the long lines in computer labs.
"We'll be able to see the trends that demonstrate the use of the computer labs that justify more computers or more labs," said Alm. "Having hard numbers will really help drive our budget, which is what will help buy more computers, or better computers."
While waiting in line at the library's computer lab, Humboldt State sophomore Lexi Wagers said, "I've only been waiting for four or five minutes. And I've noticed that no one has left yet, so I don't know how long I'll be waiting."
Wagers said she usually waits no longer than 15 minutes in a computer lab, but says it all depends on the day and time she goes to a lab.
Rush hour typically happens between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Wagers said she avoids going to the computer labs during this time, but admits that it is almost impossible to avoid.
"When I'm printing something before class I try to get here early enough, but sometimes I feel it's not early enough and I'm going to be late," Wagner said. "Sometimes I find myself just not printing [an assignment] in time for class, and I'll just tell the teacher and most teachers don't like it when you do that."
Alm reminds students that there is wireless access on campus "to make it possible for students to bring their computer and get on the campus network."
"There are other things being talked about for making software packages available for students at home, for example," Alm said. "Although nothing is quite in the works yet."
Frances Delgado, sophomore student at HSU, has a computer at home that use different software than the ones on campus. It took her running around campus to find a computer that would print her assignment.
"I just try to go wherever there is a computer and someone can help me," she said.
Wielgus said it is important that students know and are aware of where computer labs are located so that if one computer lab is full they can go ahead and look for another one.
"We have a little handout on our Web page [that] shows where all the labs are because sometimes I think people don't know where all the labs are," Wielgus said. "And that can help. We have those at the help desk too."
Alm and Wielgus also recommend that students try and avoid rush hours during the week. Try and go to computer labs "later in the afternoon, on Fridays when there are fewer classes scheduled, early in the mornings, first thing in the morning," said Alm.
"Some [labs] are open at 7 a.m.," said Wielgus. "And also [check] if professors would take assignments electronically," she said.
"I think it would be nice if there was a section that was dedicated to quick printing, and then a section dedicated to just writing papers and things that will take a little longer," she said. "Then another section for people that would like to go on MySpace and watch YouTube videos."
Wagers understands that while some people might not have a computer at home or Internet access she thinks that academic work is more important than writing to friends on MySpace.
Delgado recommends that IT Services put a limit on the time students are on the computer.
"Probably an hour for the computer and then after you get off at least wait 15 minutes so somebody else can use it and not just get back on," Delgado said.
Both Alm and Wielgus like the idea of having designated computers where students can log into a computer just for printing or to check email. For this to happen, however, newer computers would be necessary so that logging in won't take as much time.
To find out more information about computer lab hours or locations, visit http://www.humboldt.edu/~ac/.
Isaura Linares can be reached at il4@humboldt.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
jjbigs
posted 12/05/07 @ 10:54 AM PST
Congestion would be eased a lot if we had printing privileges on a wireless connection from our laptops. The only reason I use the labs during busy times is to print out a paper and it usually takes me twice as long as it should to print because the log in process takes longer than printing my paper. (Continued…)
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