Computer access gets scarce toward finals

During dead week, computers are becoming a scarce commodity for students like sophomore Rhett Norton, who describes the situation as “survival of the fittest.”\n“I see kids chasing each other,” Norton said. “I’ve gone faster to beat people to \nthe computer.”\nSome students, like junior Aaron Esposito, have given up on trying to find a free computer.\n“It’s gotten to the point where I take my laptop to the library,” Esposito said. \nEric Bartheld, director of communications for IU Libraries, said the main cause of the computer shortage is upcoming, end-of-the-semester deadlines.\n“Projects are due, presentations are due,” he said. “There’s no more time to put things off. The end is near.” \nBartheld said finals themselves generally don’t increase students’ need for computers and printers.\n“Often, when students are preparing for finals, it’s just to find a quiet place to study,” he said. “Their need for computers has passed.”\nBut for the time being, many students, including sophomore Kim Mathews, are facing deadlines that are made more stressful by waiting periods and lines.\n“(At) that lab in the Union you have to wait, like, 20 minutes to get in there,” Mathews said.\nHowever, common hot spots such as the Indiana Memorial Union, the Wells Library and Ballantine Hall are not students’ only option.\n“I lived in Teter last year, and they have the NST, which is really nice,” Norton said, referring to the dorm’s computer lab. “It’s usually open, and not many people know about it.”\nDorm computer labs can also be found in Read Residence Center, McNutt Quad, Briscoe Quad, Wright Quad, Ashton Hall, Collins Living-Learning Center, Foster Quad, Willkie Residence Hall, Forest Quad and Eigenmann Hall, according to the Student Technology Center’s Web site. The Web site lists 55 labs total – including Infostations – in the dorms and other buildings such as the Student Recreational Sports Center, Jordan Hall and the Health Center. \nIU libraries offer about 1,000 public computers, Bartheld said, some of which are provided by University Information Technology Services and other partners.\nStudent Technology Centers Manager Doug Grover said in an e-mail interview that he is not surprised by the trend.\n“I expect that it is typical for any higher-ed institution for major projects to be due sometime during the last two weeks of the semester,” Grover said.\nBesides last-minute projects and presentations, Esposito said he blames boredom as a factor.\n“‘Let’s go use a computer; I have nothing better to do,’” he said, imitating some of his fellow students.\nNorton agreed, commenting that he often sees people using computers they don’t need, to play games and spend time \non Facebook.\nGrover said it is primarily up to students to find a solution that works for them.\n“During these peak times for group work, we allow some labs normally designated as quiet study to be used by groups, but other than that, we take no special measures,” Grover said. “We know from surveys and discussions with students that these are the times that students are most likely to bring their laptops to campus, so they are already adapting to the situation.”