Computer labs are an asset to Harding's campus. Students use them to check e-mail, surf the web, write papers and complete other projects. However, for computer science and math majors, the fact that everyone used the computers made it difficult for them to get their programming assignments done. Many computer science majors found it very difficult to finish their programs on time, especially when they were doing group work .that made working in the labs an absolute necess ity for completing the assignment. The Math and Computer Science Departments unv.eiled a new computer lab in Pryor Science Bui lding, room 71 , when the students returned from spring break. Alltel Corporation gave the two departments a $40,000 grant so that they could build a lab to benefit their students. Dr. Tim Baird, chair of the Computer Science Department, said that the lab has 16 work stations equipped with the latest technology. The compu ters have the Pentium II processor wi th an operating speed of 400-450 mHz. The lab is also furnished with two laser printers and a scanner. Un ique to this lab are two large tables that provide a place for students to meet and work on group projects. Those groups also have the option.of using the locked cabinets that are available in the lab. These cabinets allow students to keep materials in the lab rather than lugging them back to the dorm every night. Bes ides allowing students a place to work on group projects easi ly, the new lab also Dr. Steve Baber hands back graded assignments to his class. Although it was not the favoriteactivityof students, homeworkof/engave them a firmer grasp on the concepts taught in the classroom. " 174 ACADEMICS serves as a gathering place for the Computer Science Department. Un li ke many other departments, computer science does not have a building to call home. The department's faculty are spread out over four floors in three different buildings . Baird said that this lack of cohesion has kept his department from having a physical presence. "Just having a lab for our students helps give us a physical presence on campus. The lab also gives us a central location to post informat ion about departmentalmeetings," Baird said. Not only does the lab serve as a meeting place, but it is not being reserved for classes. Baird said it is frustrating for students to have some time that they can work on a project, only to get to the lab and find a class meeting there. In fact, according to Baird, many of the open labs, especiall y the ones with the up-to-date equipment, have been closed for classes from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Although thi s lab provides more benefit s to the Computer Science Department, math students also get to use the new equipment. Dr. Steve Smith, chair of the Math Department, said the lab is not being built into a particular course, but he feels it is quite beneficial to math students. "There are a lot of math web sites and enrichment aids available on the Internet that we haven't been able to access or use. I'm hopeful that the new lab will give our students the chance to use the various aids that are avai lable to them, " Smith said. - Yavonda Fletcher ~~ ____________J
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