Last modified: Monday, September 14, 2009
IU's new Student Technology Center enhances student life at the Indiana Memorial Union
Ribbon cutting scheduled for September 16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- University Information Technology Services (UITS) at Indiana University is opening a new Student Technology Center in the Indiana Memorial Union to support students' academic work. The facility was created in response to student recommendations from the Board of Aeons' and President Michael McRobbie's "Vision of the Ideal Campus Environment (VOICE)" taskforce.
The new facility is part of the university's ongoing efforts under its "Empowering People" strategic plan for information technology to support student learning outside the classroom. The plan recognizes that innovative learning spaces should be designed around groups, not just individuals working alone, and that learning can take place anytime and anywhere.
"This project came to fruition through the hard work of student groups, and in particular the Board of Aeons, whose detailed research of students' study needs helped us determine how to best use this valuable space," said President Michael A. McRobbie. "Today's students need flexible technology spaces. The design of this new center supports both team and individual work in the heart of the campus and helps renew the academic vibrancy of the IMU."
Peter Servaas, president of the IU Student Association, said "This will be a very popular place for students. We are delighted that the recommendation from multiple student reports has resulted in this excellent facility."
"We were ecstatic to work with Union staff and UITS to help realize the student body's desire for this new facility," noted Andrew Dahlen, president of Union Board. "This center continues the Union's commitment to serving students' academic and social needs on campus."
The new facility, located at the west end of the mezzanine, includes:
• 30 individual Windows workstations
• 7 individual Macintosh workstations
• Work areas with moveable tables and seating
• Lounge chair seating with laptop arm tables with storage bins
• 5 Macintosh InfoStations
• Wireless connectivity throughout
• 4 collaborative media tables that feature a 40-inch flat panel screen and 6 laptop "pucks" that allow easy switching between laptops for projection on the flat panel, and seating for 4-5
• Black and white, color, and mini-plotter printing
• Multimedia scanners
• 2 marker board easels with 5 boards per easel
• 30 laptop/bag lockers, each with a power outlet to plug in a charger
• Staffing by University Information Technology Services consultants
An official ribbon cutting, presided over by President Michael McRobbie and campus student leadership, will be held at 3:30pm on Wednesday September 16, 2009. The public is welcome to attend.
