Margaret Ordoubadian

mordouba@mtsu.edu

Margaret Ordoubadian

University Writing Center

N/A

Peck Hall 326

Replacement of Existing Technology

In spite of repeated service calls from OIT, three of the present computers are almost always out of order. By the time these replacements are installed, others are likely to have deteriorated. We would like to begin a continuing replacement schedule of 5 computers a year.

With the addition of 2 computer tables and 3 chairs, we can increase the number of student computers from 16 to 19 in the only open lab in Peck Hall, Room 326 of The University Writing Center. Prior to Fall 1999, the lab was used for classes, workshops, and tutoring becausewe had no funding for student help. Since the lab has been opened for general use, we have experienced a dramatic increase from semester to semester: Fall 1999----------------------------------Total Use------------------------------ 435 hours Spring 2000------------------------------Total Use-----------------------------1625 hours Fall 2000----------------------------------Total Use-----------------------------3127 hours. The number of students using this lab continues to grow as does the number of students coming to the Center for tutoring and for workshops. One activity increases the other. Three of the present computers are constantly breaking down, making it difficult to conduct an effective workshop for a visiting class and severely limiting the number of individual students who can work in the lab. This request is for expansion of the present lab by 3 new computers and by the replacement of 5 others.