Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: News

Kevin O'Connell, a senior kinesiology and sports studies major, works at a computer in the Gregg Computer Lab on Monday night. O'Connell said he likes working there better than the library because he can always get a computer and there is more space. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

The Gregg Computer Lab received a name change and a redesign earlier this month. A banner near its entrance now reads "Gregg Technology Center," and the inside has seen several layout changes.

Don Braswell, Gregg Computer Lab coordinator, and his staff made the changes after a student survey approved a new design to become more "student-friendly" and increase student usage.

The Academic Technology Advisory Committee had a sub-committee, the Gregg Computer Lab Committee, report to it to see if the technologies at Gregg needed replacing.

Jackie Alexander, student vice president for academic affairs and a member of the Gregg Computer Lab Committee, helped distribute a survey to students. She said they wanted to make it more student-friendly because it is the largest campus computer lab.

To encourage student participation in the survey, three participants won 100 pages of free printing.

The survey period went on until Feb. 10.

The redesign to the lab moved the long rows of computers previously in place into a horseshoe-like shape. This opened space up for two tables to become a collaboration area.

"I like the fact that they do have study tables because that was something they were missing," said Willie Morris, an English graduate student.

Rashida Cowan, a sophomore journalism major, prefers the old layout, but said she sees positives in the new one.

"This layout is decent, but I liked the long way before because it gave you more stretched-out space and more Apple computers," Cowan said.

The back area's wall was also taken down, exposing the multimedia area. Braswell said students before did not use the multimedia area frequently because the wall blocked it from students' view. Since then, usage increased.

"I didn't know there was a multimedia area back there," Morris said. "Right now, some of my friends are working on documentaries using the software provided here."

Braswell said the center was renamed because Gregg Computer Lab is more than computers. Students can check out equipment and laptops, as well as do video editing, use collaboration areas and have access to training areas.

"This is considered more than a computer lab," Braswell said.


Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.

Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.

Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.

If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.