The NAC's New Tech Center

Cohen Library's first floor gets a fresh new makeoverby Amaani BhamlaYes, last semester we called the NAC “nasty” and highlighted everything that was falling apart. But now we’re very excited about the new tech center on the ground floor of the NAC. It made a splashy debut on September 19 with 311 work stations, both Macs and PCs.According to interim chief information officer Ken Ihrer, the estimated $2 million project began in July, and was funded using $450,00 in student tech fees along with a donation from the 21^st Century Foundation and a Title V grant. The new facility will ease the strain on the NAC Computer Lab with its long lines, outdated software and noise.What else will the center offer?A help center will be staffed to assist students with technical issues like password resetting.Lots of couches and other seating will provide a comfortable study environment, and numerous plug-ins for personal laptops and wireless hot spots make mobile students feel right at home. Printers located between every few workstations will keep you from having to pack up and go to the front to pick up printouts. Three different tech center “classrooms” that seat 34 students, 32 students or 50 students, will be available to professors by reservation and otherwise open to students. Areas for study group meetings and tutoring sessions with laptops will be available by reservation for 30-minute blocks with a three-hour limit. With all of these exciting new features in the works, we can’t wait!