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Show ' 02.23.2011-03.03.201- 1 VOLUME XLIV , -- Students required to own, have access to, laptop computers fall semester Issue 12 Brady PerronThe Forum ' r Mobile Computing Initiative to alleviate swollen demand for computer access in-cla- ss Beverly Smith StaffWriter Beginning fall semester 2011, students will be required to own or have access to a laptop computer. The new policy is known as the Mobile Computing Initiative (MCI) and has been in the making since last falls faculty retreat. The initiative is being promoted by the administration as well as the Teaching and Learning Resources Committee. According to administration, over the past few years the demand of computer classrooms and labs has increased significantly. Although labs and classrooms have allowed faculty to integrate technology into the classrooms, the high rate of request has come with a high financial cost with operational restraints. According to a mass email sent to faculty and administration outlining the new initiative, Westminster currently has six computer labs and classrooms. Scheduling and reserving one has become increasingly difficult for faculty. Another problem with the fixed classrooms is the lack of flexibility needed for teaching new learning styles and formats. This limits the faculty s style of instructing. Student laptops, on the other hand, are transportable and can be used in any classroom. This would create the flexibility in classrooms that has long been requested by faculty, and provide students with easU'iccess to programa and software without having to purchase them. Justin Anderson, adjunct graphic design professor feels the initiative would be beneficial. He said, There have been problems in the past with the allowed storage and access to the programs needed to complete assignments. Allowing students access to this from the convenience of their own laptop would increase the quality and ability to work According to the mass email, A recent survey of Westminster students revealed 91 percent of current students already own a personal laptop or have access to one. In recent years the pricing of laptops has decreased to as low as $300 in some cases, allowing students to buy sufficient laptops at a cost less than many pay for books in one semester. Westminster is putting in place a laptop checkout for students who need a quick loaner, expanded electrical access and laptop charging and printing stations. A remote access software will allow students to connect to the Westminster desktop, permitting access to all ma PUZZLE ANSWERS jor programs such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe suite from anywhere. The idea of Westminster Anywhere has been in the making for the past year. The program would allow students and faculty to have access to a remote desktop from a computer anywhere the internet reaches. This would allow students to access on or off campus to the various software and file storage previously only accessed by on campus computers. According to the IS department the remote desktop has been tested and is proving to work well. Priscilla Blosser, a junior in nursing said, I think this is a great idea. Being able to have access to the various programs offered on the campus desktops for free would save many students money and time spent in the library. Now students can work from home. According to the mass email sent by Provost Cid Seidelman, A major concern with the MCI is the added cost of a laptops being put on students and the overall cost to the college to implement the initiative. The school has already made arrangements with the Office of Financial Aid to include all costs of purchasing a laptop into each students cost of tuition. In this way the school is ensuring students ability to use federal financial aid to pay for their laptop. As for the costs to the college, according to the email, The cost of expanding and improving the scope of wireless coverage is an investment Westminster is making with or without this initiative. The remote desktop servers and software, additional financial aid, laptop stations and loaners are expenses covered by a federal appropriations earmark in support of the colleges technology agenda. In support of the MCI the IS department has offered to provide staff support for the first session of any class requested by faculty. In the coming months IS will offer training sessions for faculty, providing tips on how to better understand and implement this technology in classes. For students the computer lab located in the basement of the Giovale Library will be assisting students in connecting to Westminsters wireless network and to the Westminster Anywhere, remote desktop Snack of the Week feeds career-oriente-d hunger Brady Perron StaffWriter About 400 students are flocking to the Alumni House to catch a free snack every Thursday. The m provides the campus with treats as a way to create a connection between alumni and current students. From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 the m offers students enjoyable snacks like pumpkin pie and donuts. for Devin Lane has been part of the m two years. She joined the crew because she was a transfer student, and figured it was a good way to get involved with the Westminster community. Not many people realize how many cool alumni we have, said Lane about the program. They are always willing to get involved with the students and help them. Lanes favorite snacks so far have the cheesecake and chocolate fondue. The m started as the Student Alumni Relations Committee (SARC) five years ago. SARC focused on bridging the gap between students and alumni. Stade Thompson and Lacee Klem were the program initiators. Three years later, SARC was renamed the at that same time, Snack of the Week bom. Punch cards give students the opportunity to keep track of partidpation. When a student receives ten punches on the card, it can be entered into the grand prize drawing of a gift card to a local establishment. This past semesters gift card was to Blindside skate and snowboard shop. Students can meet other students as well. There isnt a certain major or certain demographic that show up. Its usually a wide range from freshman to seniors, nursing students, graduate students, faculty and staff, Lane said. You can see people you havent seen in a while, said senior Brendan Wasser. And it is a convenient treat you can grab between dasses, too. The other offerings and contributions indude the Alumni Mentoring Program and the Take a Griffin to Lunch program. Both programs allow students to get paired with an expert to pick their brains about their similar career fields. A-tea- A-tea- A-tea- in-dud- ed A-tea- A-tea- m, A-tea- ms 1 Not many people realize how many cool alumni we have. They are always willing to get involved with the students and help them. -- I rf Devin Lane Brady PerronThe Forum |