The recent increase in enrollment raises concerns that the computer labs located in the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library may need to add more computers to fit the growing amount of students.
Students are concerned with limited and often broken computers inside UH’s main library.
“They could have more,” finance sophomore Amar Abdilahi said.
There are currently 250 computers in the academic research area, 36 computers located in the learning commons that are equipped with special software and 8 limited-access computers.
The availability of computers is a main concern for some students. Sometimes students are found lurking around the labs waiting for a vacant spot.
Though many have voiced their concerns of the quality of computers and its limited access, the staff does not feel that there are many problems.
“They aren’t broken very often,” said Jerry Buckner, computer engineering tech senior and a full-time library employee. “If they are, the turn around is maybe an hour. They get fixed very quickly.”
Students like kinesiology junior Abdul-Rahman El-Bakry feel otherwise. He said that at times there has been six or seven computers down at the same time.
During certain hours, computers in the learning commons are simply not available, leaving some students without a computer to use.
Despite the problems, many students find the labs beneficial and are content with the services they receive from the University.
“I love the convenience of the computers here in the library and the fact that I have 500 free prints a semester,” political science freshman Paul Carter said. “I have never had any real issues with (the computers).”
I don't agree at all.I find the library very competent.The library doesn't lack computers, students don't know exactly where to find them.There is a computer lab on the 1st floor,the learning Commons and the C-site.All those places are available for students.In addition,each college on this campus has computers. About the computers being broken, personally I have never seen or used a broken computer in this library so…
Well what happens when all of those computers are occupied as well? The Bauer computer lab is always full. These issues are real and need to be addressed. I got fed up a long time ago and began bringing a laptop to school. What about the students who can't afford a laptop? Should they be denied their ambitious decision to knock out assignments and study during their free time. The library is unacceptable and unacommidating. Just trying to find an empty table on the either the second or third floor to have a study group is equally impossible and never easily accessible. We deserve more than this.
This article does not seem to have any facts checked. First, it says there are 36 computers in the Learning Commons, and there are more than that. Second, it says that "During certain hours, computers in the learning commons are simply not available, leaving some students without a computer to use," which is also not true. You can reserve a computer in the Learning Commons up to a week in advance in order to use it at any specific time. The only times where I agree with this article would be during lunch hour when every possible student is in the library looking for a computer, but even then it is not too long before you can find one if you try hard enough. Often the longest wait for a PC in the Learning Commons is 10 minutes during peak hours, which unless you are leaving something to the very last minute is not very long to wait.
NEWS FLASH the 500 "free" prints are NOT free, you pay for them with you tuition and fees.
NOTHING IS EVER FREE DUMMIES!
You really think they would give you free prints out of the kindness of their hearts? HAHAAHAHAH ahahah
We pay for a lot of things, yes. The "free" means that you don't have to pay at that moment, it's included in the fees.
We pay for it all. We know this. I'm glad you do as well.
It's also not about kindness. It's about convenience. You get the 500 "free" prints but after, you have to pay extra.
If you look at the website a lot of this information can be found there.
I never had trouble finding a computer. If there's something to complain about, it is the restrooms in the library or no TVs in the lobby area.