EDITORIAL: Grawn Computer Lab renovation may not be in overall student interest
While this board appreciates the additional accessibility to computer labs provided by the virtual lab pilot program, we question the decision to renovate the Grawn Lab into classroom space.
The need for classroom space in a much-used building is indisputable. However, the Grawn lab was equally well-used by a more diverse cross-section of students than just the College of Business.
After hours, the space will be used for student group meetings, the College of Business’ Dean Charles Crespy said. What has perhaps been overlooked in this decision is similar space will be available soon upon completion of renovations of the Bovee University Center, rendering such group meeting areas redundant, especially considering such rooms exist in the library as well.
The relocation is also problematic as 35 computer terminals will be lost in a place where computer use is in high demand.
Roger Rehm, vice president of information technology, noted personal computing space is increasing with the renovation, but it may not be sufficient to make up for the loss in high-traffic areas.
Grawn Hall already has a study lounge just around the corner from the location of the current lab location and that is also experiencing a renovation. However, Anspach Hall, a building used by hundreds of students each day in the middle of campus, has absolutely no lounge space or extended-hours computing options.
This is where the university should focus its renovation efforts. An Anspach or Pearce Hall lounge and public computer lab would be used and appreciated by many more.
Instead, a computer lab that is well-used and often full is getting dismantled, relocated and replaced with a facility which will not be useful to nearly as many or as diverse of a group of students. Entrepreneurship students are who the facility was specifically created for, and they will likely see the lion's share benefits of the nearly $1 million project.
We respect that this was primarily funded through a private donation, but it is the responsibility of the university to make sure funds are best spent to the greatest benefit of all students, not just a select few. Taking an open lab and directing it toward the specific use of a specific, relatively small group does just that.
