Ohio University Completing Computer
Initiative Ahead of Schedule
Contact: Dwight Woodward, (740) 593-1886
Editors: Photos of workers installing computers in Ohio University
residence halls are available at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/COMPUTER1.JPG and
www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/COMPUTER2.JPG
Cutline information is available under "file information" in Photoshop.
ATHENS, Ohio (July 28, 2000) -- Technicians and student workers are completing the installation of state-of-the-art computers and printers in Ohio University's 40 residence halls, providing students with high-speed Internet access when they return for classes in September.
The installation completes an initiative begun May 18, 1999, when university President Robert Glidden unveiled a plan to equip all residence hall rooms with computers. Last fall, Ohio University became the first state-assisted university in Ohio to provide freshmen with computers in their rooms after 2,106 Gateway computers were installed in 23 residence halls. Rooms housing up to three students received one computer and an Okidata LED printer, and those housing four students received two computers and printers.
"We had a very positive response from students to our computers-in-residence-halls project during the past year," Glidden said. "Computers are, of course, only tools, but they are essential tools for today's business and professions. Most importantly, this technology affords us the opportunity to transform teaching and learning and to engage students more in the learning process."
An additional 2,135 computers and printers are being installed this summer, equipping all 4,109 rooms in 40 residence halls with computers. The computer initiative was highlighted by Gateway in a two-page advertisement in the July 21 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
"Everything is going very smoothly," said Randy Shelton, director of the university's Housing and Food Services office. "We are ahead of schedule. Everybody knew how to do the installation after last summer."
Having access to a computer and the Internet from his residence hall room is an inviting prospect for Clay Burnett, an incoming freshman from Chagrin Falls who plans to major in visual communication.
"Having a computer in my room will allow me to do so much more, especially with the high-speed connection to the Internet," said Burnett, who was on campus this week for a pre-college orientation. "It will be a great advantage in the coming years when more assignments will be turned in over the World Wide Web. You'll be able to access university software without having to buy your own. You'll be able to get a lot of things done quickly rather than having to bring your own computer with a much slower modem."
The computer initiative has had an impact on professors as they increasingly use computers and the Internet in their assignments, said Ann Kovalchick, director of the university's Center for Innovations in Technology for Learning. The center assists faculty incorporating technology into their teaching techniques.
Ohio University's $5 million computer initiative is funded by an increase in room-and-board fees approved by university trustees to maintain and upgrade residence halls.
The Ohio Board of Regents has praised the computer initiative and noted that few universities nationwide have undertaken such an innovative program.
"It is commonplace for universities to provide computer network connections in their residence halls, but it is highly unusual to provide a university-owned computer in every residence hall room," said Doug Mann, associate provost for information technology.
