Computer Lab Renovations Scheduled for Summer

By Autumn Bouck

 
The summer months are typically a time of change and upgrades to the campus computer rooms, and this summer is no different. Lab Management will take advantage of the smaller numbers of students to close and renovate several of the campus labs. "This is the only opportunity," says Peter Blando, manager of campus computer labs and classrooms, "to do any major changes without impacting academic functions."

During Summer 2000, Lab Management intends to conduct a major renovation of one facility and minor renovations to six facilities. In addition, some software upgrades are scheduled.

Lab Changes

• 301A Surge IV
  The most extensive renovation will occur in 301A SurgeIV, a computer classroom. Both equipment and furniture will be upgraded, although the specifications are not yet available. Also, the heating and air conditioning system will receive an overhaul. Eighteen Gateway P-II 200 MHz workstations currently in the lab will be moved to TB114.

• The Station
  The Station, located at 177 Memorial Union, is one of the most popular open access labs. To alleviate long wait lines and high utilization, the facility will be reconfigured to make the current space more usable. The group stations, which are lightly used for groupwork, will be changed into higher-demand quick stations. "Future renovations will consider the possibility of additional computers," says Blando.

• 1154 Meyer - New Media Lab
  The New Media Lab in 1154 Meyer will receive 15 new Apple PowerMac G4 450 Mhz computers. These machines will replace older PowerMac G3 machines that will be moved to TB114. In addition, an audio room will be added to 1154 Meyer.

• 1131 Meyer
  A minor renovation to 1131 Meyer will add new chairs as well as a new projection system to the PC computer classroom.

• 163 Shields
  In 163 Shields, a PC computer classroom, the older workstations will be replaced with new computers comparable to the computer upgrades occurring in 301A Surge IV. "If time and funding permit," says Blando, "the overhead projection system will also be upgraded."

• 241 Olson
  In 241 Olson, a Mac computer classroom, iMac computers will replace 30 PowerMac 4400 - 200Mhz computers currently in service.

• 247 Olson
  247 Olson, a Mac computer classroom, will receive a minor upgrade to its projection control system. A new rack will be installed in the instructor's table to house the control system and VCR.

• TB114
  TB114, an open-access lab, will receive some of the Gateway P-II 200Mhz from 301A Surge IV and Apple PowerMac G3 - 266Mhz from 1154 Meyer Hall to replace the four-year-old computer equipment currently in the facility. In addition, the existing four tables for the standup stations will be removed and replaced with six tables to accommodate additional stations for clients.

 
Decisions, Decisions
IT-Lab Management has identified replacement cycles for each room type to determine the best use of resources. For instance, the Meyer New Media Lab is the most hardware intensive, so those computers are replaced every two years. For the computer classrooms, computers are replaced every three years. Open access lab computers are replaced every three years or, in the case of TB114, computers from another lab are moved in for their fourth year of service. This process enables Lab Management to leverage more use out of all equipment purchases.

Funding for all upgrades is accounted for in Lab Management's general fund, which is supported, in part, by Instructional Technology Funds and California Lottery monies.

 
Lab Availability this Summer
During summer renovations, labs may be closed at various times, mainly during Summer Session One (June-July). For the most up-to-date list of lab hours and other information, see the Lab Management Web site at http://lm.ucdavis.edu/rooms/.