"Cache" in on the riches of 53 Church Street
The 53 Church Street computer facility
Housed in a historic building at 53 Church Street is the Division of Continuing Education's impressive but oft-overlooked computer facility. Featuring Mac and PC labs that hold more than 150 systems collectively, the building is also home to wireless classrooms, a distance education studio, and specialized labs--one with adaptive technology and another featuring the most current 3-D and video-editing capabilities available.
Given the wealth of equipment here, it's hard to believe students aren't taking up residence, though at the end of the semester, when there's a mad push to finish final projects, some may seem to. According to Tom Lane, director of the facility, the multimedia lab is particularly crucial to students taking computer science courses such as CSCI E-21 Introduction to 3-D Design, Animation, and SFX and CSCI E-19 Video Field Production, for which they use A/V equipment to create videos and multimedia projects. Once they've finished with the specialized technology, students can move on to a Mac or PC lab to continue editing or working on animation. This is what's great about Church Street: all computers are outfitted with more than 50 different software packages, including such high-end multimedia programs as Final Cut Pro, Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop, and Maya.
Henry Leitner, assistant dean for information technology for continuing education, led early efforts to found the computer center. He's a firm believer in the importance of making the latest technology accessible to continuing education students. "This facility is a principal enabler in allowing the Extension and Summer schools to offer a wide range of courses that use state-of-the-art information technology," he says.
The Church Street labs have one of the most extensive collections of software on campus because Extension instructors, many of whom hail from the private sector, use the industry standards on the job and request that the labs be properly equipped for their classes.
Lane says such know-how doesn't end there. "Many who are attending a night class are probably using the latest programs at work," he says. "It's important to us that our systems are current."
Another interesting feature of the 53 Church Street facility is the adaptive-technology lab, designed for students who need accommodations. Computers feature voice-recognition software, large-type keyboards, and screen-reading software for the visually impaired. A Smartview device enlarges the text of books and other documents. Each desk is adjustable.
The classrooms, including the distance education studio, can be equipped with laptop computers that operate on a wireless network. They are ideal for instructors who regularly incorporate presentations, as they feature overhead projectors.
The Mac and PC labs are available for students working on a range of projects. They may also check e-mail and use the Internet. A minilab provides overflow space for busy times and includes scanners and a DVD/CR-RW drive. In addition, 53 Church Street checks out video gear, including cameras, microphones, tripods, and lighting equipment, to students in particular classes--an exciting prospect for the fledgling filmmaker.
For information about 53 Church Street hours, labs, and policies, visit the website.
-- Leslie Busler