Student fees fund campus computers

This archived article was written by: Gypsie Delgado

College of Eastern Utah’s Reeves computer lab, is now an open lab for all students to use due to student fees collected from past years. According to CEU’s Chief Information Officer, Eric Mantz, they had built up enough fees to install software to keep the labs controllable and open.
Last year the lab fee was $8 per credit hour (if enrolled in a computer class) and $30 for students not in the computer classes per semester. This year students are not being charged to use the computer labs.
Mantz is concerned about the student fee allocated from student fees. It was dropped this year to $1.50 per student from the past year’s, $6.50 per student. “We won’t be able to keep the labs open if this continues,” he said.
Allocation of the fees were cut because 2003-04 SFAC(Student Fee Allocation Committee) felt that the funds were not being spent where they were originally allocated for, open computer labs for all students to use.
The lab fee is already assessed to all full time students who pay $167 each semester in tution and fees. The SFAC members felt student were paying twice (once throught student fees and again through access cards) to use camous computers.
“The $6.50 lab fee allocated to the Information Technology Department was originally to open labs on campus. When that was not done by the IT department, the first year ASCEU purchased six kiosks for student use through out CEU’s campus.
“This year the money was used to open a lab in the new Reeves Building, the original purpose of the fee is now being met,” stated Bill Osborn, assistant dean of students and ASCEU’s adviser.
Currently the campus computer labs are open in the Reeves Building Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 4-11p.m. and Sunday, 4-9 p.m. The computer lab in the CBB is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-3p.m. The cost to print is five cents a page to print in the Reeves Lab and free in the CBB, writing lab.
Mantz also shared what is needed to better access Internet in the dorms. “There are so many different operating systems. “If you are running Windows 98 or below don’t even bother. Windows service pack two is the easiest,” he said.
The Information Technology Department is taking steps to make the wireless Internet better. They have installed more access points in Sessions Dorm and are purchasing more for Aaron Jones to better the connection, he added.
Mantz anticipates that the system will be up and running in two weeks without any dead spots on campus. There will be a complete coverage map done when it is all finished.
If a student is not happy with the Internet service provided through CEU, refunds are available within the first two weeks service is provided. Service cost is $10 a month or $40 a semester. If you are having a difficult time connecting you can call extension 4357(help) to speak to an information tech.
“We are happy to provide the service and we hope it works well for the students. We intend to keep the labs open from here into the future,” said Mantz.
“ASCEU has been pleased with the cooperation of the computer department this year. We know that there may have been problems in the past with communication but are excited for the future and continuing to work with the department for a better experience for CEU students. We feel that the open computer lab is a great asset,” stated Dan Wood, ASCEU’s president.