Is LSA 125 Changing for the Better?
posted by Brandon Owens | November 9, 2018 | In News, OpinionThe computer lab located in the Lyon Science Annex building room 125 in the past has been open for use for students that need it. They can do their work, study, check their email, watch videos, use social media– anything they like (if it was appropriate). Professors would sometimes bring in their classes in order to take exams. The lab provided many uses for students, but now it looks like it will be utilized in other ways as well.
Earlier this month, the computer lab of LSA underwent renovations to accommodate a robotics lab. Plans were put in motion for the conversion in late spring. The room which housed over 80 computers has allotted half of its space for the project. Doing so reduced the number of computers in the lab to 48.
The changes of the lab have been a great concern for students.
FSU senior and computer lab staff member Sophia Cornelius fears that things will greatly affect the daily operations of the computer lab as details were brought to her attention.
“The robotics lab would be partitioned off, and only those who had access to the lab would have access to the room. The lab held over 80 computers, but now it only has 48 computers, which drastically changes the environment. The atmosphere would change because it possibly means the students would be conversing a lot amongst themselves and would not be observing the rules of the lab,” Cornelius said.
In protest, Cornelius has decided to start a petition and has since gathered the signatures
of many students.
One petitioner, Krystal Nelms said: “That is the only computer lab that I use due to it being quieter than the library and I can focus on my studies. I try to be an exceptional student and I study hard, and that lab is the one I use the most.”
SGA President Kree Brown-Jones had this to say about the conversion of the lab: “In my opinion, I think that any space a student is using to increase their knowledge and abilities should not be taken away. However, the space is going towards knowledge. My suggestion is that since most students on the west side of campus use that lab as a library resource because they don’t want to walk all the way to the other side of campus to get to the library, I say, leave it as is and try to use another facility or room to build a robotics lab.”
When asked about the situation, Nick Ganesan, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology stated that although he did consider the concerns of the students, he believes the conversion is for the benefit of both staff and students. He also explained that one reason the lab was being converted was because half the computers were not being used regularly.
“I monitor the lab. I have 92 systems over there when only 40 of them are being used at a time. It’s really your money, you pay technology fees. I buy 90 computers and only 45 are being used? No. I would rather spend that money on something else that benefits you,” Ganesan said.
Ganesan stated that if problems arise with the computer lab, such as disruptiveness and a drop in productivity, he will convert the lab to the way it originally was.
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