The University’s Information Technology and Communication office will phase out computing labs to enable a more flexible computing experience, beginning with the removal of 125 computers this summer, said Michael McPherson, University associate vice president and deputy chief information officer.
ITC currently provides about 400 computers in public labs, but plans call for the removal of almost all University public computers by summer 2011, he said.
“Especially when the budgets are tight, we’re always looking for the most efficient way to do what needs to be done,” McPherson added.
In light of constantly changing technologies and new ideas, “we always have to look for ways to economize on existing services or eliminate services that we feel are lower priority than the new things that people want,” McPherson said. “We certainly hope this will be, [in terms of the budget], a net win, freeing up money for us to put toward new projects and new services.”
Students typically use University public computers for programs they may already have, such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Firefox, he said. Under the new plan, rather than students physically going somewhere to compete for a computer to use those applications, programs instead will be available on the University’s network, anywhere, anytime, he said.
“There’s a whole world of possibility that’s opened up in delivering applications remotely,” McPherson said, referring to the emerging field of desktop virtualization.
Students most likely will use applications through desktop virtualization, connecting to a server that runs the software or downloading and running the software on their own computers, McPherson said, noting that these decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, ultimately resulting in a mix of approaches. Though students will have to install software on their own computers, the change will not impact students financially.
With this new model, ITC is working “to break the dependency between the physical locations and delivering application software,” McPherson said. “If we could do that, that opens up the possibility of doing something with those physical spaces that is very different from having rows of tables with computers sitting on them.”
He cited the recently renovated fourth floor of Clemons Library as an example. “It’s a technology-rich space, but it’s not about providing computer seats,” McPherson said, highlighting the library’s wireless network, numerous outlets to plug in laptops and large screens that help enable group work. “It’s about supporting collaboration with technology and allowing students to really use the technology that they own.”
Based on an ITC survey of incoming first-year computer ownership each year, McPherson said almost all students own computers. He said this trend has been almost universal for the last four or five years. As part of its contract with Dell, McPherson also said the University is able to issue computers to students as part of financial aid.
“It’s my understanding that every student who wants a computer has one,” he said.
The average student’s laptop, however, probably is unable to run some high-end application packages, such as those used in the Engineering and Architecture Schools.
“For that, we would probably always maintain a small number of computers in public facilities reserved for running those types of high-end software,” McPherson said.
Though McPherson expressed confidence that the plan would both address emerging concerns and not result in a loss of student services, some students said they are wary of the change, citing concerns about the plan’s potential impact on less technologically-privileged students.
“If everyone had a laptop, then I do think it’d be a good idea,” second-year College student Thomas Malinowsky said.
First-year College student Kristen Gardner also was concerned for students who do not own computers.
“I understand minimizing [physical computing labs] if they’re not used as much,” she said. “But just getting rid of computer labs in general is not a good idea.”
One student who expressed some dismay about the proposal is second-year College student Shamika Ranasinghe, who said she is currently relying on University computers because her laptop recently crashed.
Even when her laptop is in working order, “having access to computers in between classes is helpful,” Ranasinghe said.
Fourth-year Rohan Pai also said being able to use University computers improves the efficiency of time and energy of students, noting that many students living off-Grounds do not take their laptops on Grounds.
The University is not the first school to move away from physical computing labs, though, McPherson said, noting that North Carolina State recently partnered with IBM to provide its students with access to the company’s “Virtual Computing Lab.” The University will not follow that institution’s example exactly, McPherson said, but the method will be similar.
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