Though Saddlemire exists no more, its legacy and its computers live on.
When the Student Tech Center was moved to Hayes Hall from Saddlemire, the computer labs in Hayes Hall were moved to the Jerome Library.
The Associate Dean of University Libraries, Kelly Broughton, said the new computers are located in rooms 125, and 122. Mac computers make up 125, while Windows occupies 122.
While 122 and 125 are only open to classes, Debra Wells, manager of Customer Services, said another lab opened up in room 142 in the library that is not reservable, but an open lab.
Room 142 is located in the back of the first floor, by the conference room.
In addition to the new labs, the library has an expanded lobby area, Communications Coordinator Cindy Fuller said.
Fuller also said one of the main reasons the computers went to Jerome was because space was premium.
“We know that there is a demand on campus, people come into our building looking for [computers] and they’re all full,” Broughton said.
With these changes, the library has added an ITS employee to its staff for the benefit of those using the new computers. Also, starting in Spring 2008, an ITS student employee will be assigned to the room 142 lab.
When Saddlemire came down, the Student Tech Center had to go somewhere. Decisions were made to move STC to Hayes Hall.
“It’s good to have the Student Tech Center in the center of campus as opposed to in Saddlemire,” Wells said.
Now, both the Technology Support Center and STC are in Hayes Hall. Fuller said it’s important for the two centers to interact, and there is an overall better situation now that STC is in interaction with other technology programs on campus.
Since they’re in the same building, Wells said the TSC can help out with STC, leaving the STC free to focus on other activities or programs.
One of the biggest inconveniences of the move was the delay in construction, which caused a delay in renovating the library, Wells said.
Though the STC was opened in time for fall semester, the labs were unavailable to classes until Oct. 29. Until then, the lobby was also unable to provide students with the computers from Hayes Hall.
