CIT closes Biggs; adds new lab and services

To the Editors:

This is a brief follow-up letter about the closure of the Biggs computer lab at the end of the spring semester.

We listened to student input last spring and we met a few times with a group of concerned students over the summer months. In response, we have constructed a new computer lab (eight Macs, two Windows and a printer), available 24 hours, in the southwest basement corner of Burton Hall. Mudd Library has also established a pool of eight laptop computers, available for overnight checkout. We will periodically monitor the overnight use of the Burton, Kade and Lord Saunders labs through the fall semester to determine the usage and future need.

We are optimistic that this new arrangement, along with the current labs on campus, will assure access for students who don’t own a personal computer or who have a special need for a public computer. To be sure, there will be a few times during the semester when all computers are in use and some students will be temporarily inconvenienced. But with proper time planning, all students should be able to access a computer in a public lab, even during the busiest days of the semester.

I should also note that we looked hard at the possibility of making the Mudd A-level lab (room 052) available on a 24-hour basis, but we ran into too many logistical and financial difficulties to make that happen. We also investigated the possibility of keeping the Windows computer lab in the Science Center open 24 hours, but we have not yet been able to identify an adequate solution for maintaining the necessary security in the building. We will continue to investigate that option.

Related to the issue of computer and network availability for students, we wish to inform students that over the summer we installed (WiFi, 802.11) wireless capabilities in East Hall, the Stevenson dining area and the Art Library and we extended the existing wireless services in Wilder and the Conservatory of Music.

Finally, please check out our updated web pages at www.oberlin.edu/cit. You’ll find information there about the new campus e-mail spam filter, the virus/worm checking authentication system for the residential network, a map of campus wireless locations and much more.

I wish you the very best in the coming semester.

–John Bucher
Director of the Center of Information Technology

STD testing available
To the Editors:

Welcome back to campus. We hope your year is a safe and healthy one. Student Health Services continues to offer HIV testing services to the campus community again this year. The peer-to-peer testing program will continue in Wilder Hall — dates, times and location to be announced.

We want to remind students that testing is available both on campus and in the greater Lorain County area. These sites are as follows:
1. Allen Hospital, $12, call Student Health for an appointment, x58121.
2. On campus in Wilder Hall: A public health nurse will offer bi-weekly, free, oral testing, anonymous or confidential.
3. Family Planning Services, Elyria
4. Cleveland Free Clinic, Cleveland. On the web: http://www.thefreeclinic.org

Other STD testing is available at Student Health Services. Please call us for an appointment, x58180.

–Laura Hieronymus
Director of Student Health Services

Library revives book sale tradition
To the Editors:

The popular Oberlin College Library Book Sale is returning to campus this weekend after a three-year hiatus. Students, faculty, staff and visitors will find a large variety of books to create academic and recreational reading lists.

The sale will be held in the student study lounge of Mudd Center on Friday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The “Friends of the Oberlin College Library” Pre-Sale will be held Friday morning from 10 a.m. until noon. Students interested in joining the Friends group may contact Sandy Austin at 775-5042.

Most hardbound books will sell for $1 and paperbacks for $0.50. Some new, special art, antiquarian books or multi-volume sets may sell for slightly more. Every topic imaginable is represented at the sale, from African art to Zen Buddhism, with particularly strong offerings in theater and film. The selection will enable visitors to get gifts to delight friends who enjoy fly-tying, gardening and poetry, or are planning trips to places such as Acapulco or China.

Some books are new, but most are used and in good or excellent condition. The proceeds from the sale are used to purchase new books for the library. Before the closing of the sale at 1 p.m. on Saturday, prices are reduced to “a buck a bag.” Come and enjoy this Obie tradition!

–Linda Slocum
Mudd Gifts Librarian