Students studying for midterms and finals this semester will now have access to campus computers in the middle of the night.
The Student Technology Fee Oversight Committee decided Tuesday to allow students 24-hour access to the first-floor computer lab in CEBA during both testing periods.
   The pilot program is part of the committee’s effort to determine whether the lab should remain open 24 hours every semester.
    Campus police will provide security at night, and students will be surveyed for their input on the day and night access.
    “We’re looking for numbers and to see if people feel safe and secure,” said Dee Childs, executive director of user support for Information Technology Services.
    A 24-hour computer lab has been a goal of Student Government President Michelle Gieg’s “Making It Happen” administration.
    “It’s important for students to have access to the computer software on campus 24 hours,” Gieg said.
   The pilot program will be paid for with money set aside by SG, she said, rather than student tech fee funds.
    A potential obstacle to 24-hour CEBA lab access is plans for a similar lab in the Union renovation blueprints.
    “So the question is do we want to have two 24-hour labs all the time?” Gieg asked the committee.
    Union Director Shirley Plakidas said the instillation of the 24-hour lab will not happen until late 2007.
    Although the third-floor lab now has about 40 computers, its replacement will have about 25.
    “But there will be electrical outlets all over the lounge on the ground floor,” Plakidas said. “We’re finding that more students use laptops. So the whole building will be wireless.”
   Melissa Campo, elementary education junior using the CEBA lab Thursday afternoon, said 24-hour access to the lab for midterms and finals is a benefit to students.
   “If I get bored studying at my house, I might come up here [during midterms],” she said. “I don’t need it, but it’s a good option.”
    Ryan Jaubert, accounting graduate student also using the lab, said he uses the CEBA lab twice a week, and it would be nice to have access late at night.
   “I’ve been to Middleton Library during midterms and that lab gets pretty full,” Jaubert said. “It’ll be good as long as there’s not a huge fee increase to go with it.”
 
 
Contact Chris Day at [email protected]