The Griffon News

With the increased traffic to the Student Union, some students have asked about getting some more computers in the lobby area.

According to Katy Schwartz, director of clubs and organizations for SGA, funding for more computers in the lobby was part of the original plan for the renovations taking place in the Student Union.

“When IT services decided to make the student union a wireless hot spot we cut that out of our plans,” Schwartz said. “If there are four computers in the lobby, and it is wireless, we felt that we didn’t need to add any more computers in there.”

Student Tyler Davis does not agree. Davis does not own a laptop to access the wireless network, but feels that there are not enough computers, and would like to have a printer in the lobby as well.

Student William Hannah feels that the attractions of the Student Union pale in comparison to those at Emporia State University. He said that they had more computers, as well as arcade games and a big screen TV. Hannah also said that he was unable to save files to his P drive when using the computers in the lobby.

Student Matt Baylor said he did not see a problem with present arrangement.

“You can just go the lab upstairs,” Baylor said.

Student Brittany Rodriguez agreed.

“The people out there are always on MySpace or Facebook and are not actually working,” Rodriguez said. “People that actually want to work can’t go there. Work should have precedence over playing.”

Student Nicole Caysing had a more unique perspective on the issue.

“More computers would just bring in more of the geeks that sit there all day and play video games,” Caysing said.

Paul Shang, dean of student development, works with the SGA on such matters. Dr. Shang said that he was open to discussion on the matter.

“If students and others are interested in having more computers down in the lobby area, then I am sure that student government association would be eager to hear that kind of feedback,” Shang said.

“The original concept was that those computers were not really designed to be computers where you would work,” Shang said. “These were designed to be computers where you would very quickly check your email, check your class schedule, whatever it is you might do if you have ten or fifteen minutes.”

Shang said that during the initial planning for the existing four lobby computers there had been discussion about whether or not to put chairs. One of the original ideas was for the computers to be used while standing up.

The computers in the lobby were only meant to complement the existing labs.

Another factor is that if a printer or other equipment were added, the SGA would have to maintain them. “The labs, on the other hand, are paid for by student technology fees,” Shang said.