Hard times, tough consequences

I don't envy University officials during this budget crisis. The bottom line is that funding is low and fiscal cuts have to be made. No matter what area this is in, there will be no shortage of people lining up to shout "foul!" Paradoxically, it is often the areas with the least vocal support that are most crucial for our University's continued smooth operation. Where oh were to begin?
Axing the computer labs will undoubtedly create problems - including many, many unhappy students. After all, it is clear to any student visiting Clemons Library on a weekday afternoon that these machines are highly-sought commodities. The same goes for computers in Thorton Hall and certainly other locations around Grounds as well. Since ITC claims a staggering 99% of incoming first- years have a laptop computer, I couldn't tell you exactly why these labs are so well-used. I can say that for me personally, printing problems are often the cause of my visit. Other students might just prefer leaving bulky computers back at their dorm or apartment. Also, my guess is that students with broken laptops are infinitely grateful for fully-functioning computer labs.
I forsee a lot of issues with discontinuing the option of public computers. Professors have the luxury of reducing the number of legitimate technology excuses they enterain from students; after all, the labs are always open and provdie free internet use and (fairly) inexpensive printing . Students like me can also take comfort in knowing they have a backup option for printing or getting work done, albeit a slightly inconvenient one. The vanishing of ITC labs will surely add to the anxiety of plenty of people.
That said, we're in understandably frugral times. My gut reaction to this policy proposal is that there must be sometime more expendable. Removing public computers seems like a permanent move, not a temporary tightening of the belt. While the federal government could use this lesson long-term financial prudencry, I'm not convcined ITC must do the same. Aren't there other student services that could be scaled down or even eliminated in the short run? Perhaps not - ITC's already made a number of structural changes in recent times. If ITC and the University truly believe that public computing is the most dispensable option available to them, I feel compelled to support that decision. I'd rather be forced to use my friend's printer than to see someone lose a job.

System error

ITC's recent announcement that it plans to phase out computer labs is a grave mistake. Although this move is justified on a short-term financial basis, it seems highly unlikely that significant cost savings will be achieved in the long-run. The desktops currently used in labs are sunk costs as they were paid for upon purchase. The expenses associated with their upkeep, which likely include maintenance and software licensing, are inconsequential compared to the initial outlays on the machines themselves. Eliminating computer labs to save a relatively small amount of maintenance costs is a poor decision.
Many students will suffer as a result of the elimination of computer labs around Grounds. Although many of us have laptops, not all students are able to purchase their own computers, and consequently they are dependent on public computer labs and laptops available for check-out at libraries. They will face significant hurdles when completing writing and online assignments if unable to regularly access desktop computers connected to printers. Likewise, students that own laptops will be inconvenienced by the absence of computer labs. Students will now be forced to carry their computers to class and, if planning a long day, take their charging units along as well. Although this inconvenience is not the most consequential repercussion of ITC's decision, it could negatively influence a majority of undergraduate students.
Computer labs are a basic expectation at most universities and help library systems achieve their mission of making information readily accessible to the general public. Eliminating these learning tools is a poor decision by ITC and will have significant negative repercussions for the student body.

Saving the budget through the private sector

When the news of an economic crisis first emerged, it was easy to feel concern for the financial state of our country but difficult to see how our personal lives would be affected. Then the reports that state funding for the University had been drastically cut surfaced and students became more worried, but there were still no concrete effects on college life in Charlottesville. When ITC announced its plan to remove most of its public computing labs, however, many students became angered over the issue. They claimed that public computers were required for a smoothly functioning college environment and pointed to the fact that some do regularly rely on the machines in the libraries. Others argued that phasing out computers was necessary due to budget constraints. ITC ought to follow through with the gradual closing down of public computing labs because this allows the University to avoid cutting other, more important programs, but the school still has a responsibility to students to ensure they are not disadvantaged by the move.
Given the current financial situation, something has to go. The phasing out of public computer labs may come under fire because it is a highly visible issue, but it is an ideal target for budget cuts because of the flexibility associated with technology. Developments in technology provide many opportunities to modernize and increase efficiency. If ITC can come up with a more cost-effective way to give students access to educational software, so be it. Many – if not most – students would prefer to have the software on their private laptops than only on library computers in special locations. Of course, a certain number of computers should be kept in public places to serve as a backup for students who have the misfortune of a malfunctioning laptop or for those who simply prefer to use public desktops. ITC could do research in the form of surveys and observation of current student behavior to determine exactly what this number should be. Although if the number of students I see on their laptops right now in Alderman Library is any indication, I would guess that number is not too large.
However, financial necessity by itself does not provide a valid excuse. The University would improve its image by issuing a statement identifying exactly where the money being saved by ITC’s new policy is going. What programs were allowed to stay afloat due to the sinking of most of the public computing labs? In addition, ITC needs to stay informed on student opinion, keep the University community updated on any changes, and ensure that the new delivery system for software works for everyone and does not provide an inconvenience for any students. Otherwise, the new policy could favor students who can afford to buy higher quality, more up-to-date personal computer systems. The phasing out of public computing labs is a more desirable alternative than tuition hikes or the termination of more academic programs, but the University has an obligation to all to ensure that the process is carried out in a fair and informative manner.

Topic of the Week: Removal of public computing labs from Grounds

ITC's poll on public computing use.
Over Spring Break, ITC developed a poll which it posted on computers in the libraries and computing labs around Grounds. When you log in to a University computer, a prompt asks if you will take a short poll about public computing use. After announcing its plans to remove most of the University's public computing labs by 2011, it appears ITC is finally asking students' opinion on the subject.
This issue has received a lot of coverage in The Cavalier Daily, both in the news and opinion sections, and with good reason. Removal of public computing labs would be a major change for University students and previously ITC had not bothered to consult students at all. Since it is now asking student opinion, this week, we'll discuss the same. Should public computer labs be removed from Grounds? If it will save the University money, maybe it is worthwhile to preserve other programs. On the other hand, is it worth the hardship to professors, who will surely be constantly barraged with excuses about how a student's laptop crashed and they had no way to type their paper? As for students, removing almost all the public computers from Grounds would surely be an inconvenience, but would it really be such a bad thing? Since nearly every student has a laptop, it would not be hard to borrow a friend's or roomate's in a crunch. But that may not always be a reliable solution if said friend or roommate also has a paper due. Which is more important: saving money or making all the possible resources available to students?