Computer Lab Move Faces Several Delays

Though the ASUC Senate voted to relocate the Open Computing Facility from Heller Lounge last spring, it still has not moved into its new Eshleman Hall home due to delayed construction in the building's basement.

The facility, which has provided free printing and computer access to students, faculty and staff, was slated to complete its move to the Eshleman Hall basement by mid-September, but has encountered several setbacks, including building maintenance issues and a lack of construction funding.

Last spring, the ASUC Senate voted to remove the facility to make space for the new campus multicultural center. However, facility officials said they were originally told they would have to relocate to make way for commercial space.

The facility's computers were moved out in June and have been in the process of relocation ever since.

About $24,000 was originally allocated to the relocation project for the completion of necessary wiring and electrical changes, said Tom Spivey, associate director of the ASUC Auxiliary. In the past few weeks, ASUC officials have approved an additional $13,000 for further wiring in the space, said Nadesan Permaul, director of the ASUC Auxiliary.

But the need for more funding has not been the only problem in relocating the facility.

During the summer, asbestos was found in the server room near the home of the new facility. Removal of the toxic substance cost an additional $3,000 and delayed construction, Spivey said.

Shortly afterward in August, a broken compressor pump caused water to flood the proposed space, damaging the walls and floors. The space has not yet been repaired and costs have not been determined.

Genevieve Wong, the general manager of the facility, said she was unsure when it would be able to open its doors.

"I've just been frustrated by the slowness of it," she said. "At the beginning of the semester, we got like 30 people every day asking if we were open again."

ASUC President Roxanne Winston said the facility's move made sense because it would put both the library and computing facility in the same building.

She added that the relocation would allow several publication groups located in Eshleman Hall to utilize the new computing resources, which will include computers equipped with Adobe Photoshop.

But members of publication groups with offices in the Eshleman Hall basement said they have been inconvenienced by the construction.

"The disorganization of everything is what's bothering me the most," said Rhoda Piland, managing editor of Berkeley Fiction Review. "It was supposed to be done by the beginning of the semester."

Permaul said the only obstacle to completing the construction that remains is scheduling personnel to complete the necessary repairs and wiring. He said he hopes the computing center will be able to open before the end of the semester.

"We're just as excited about the opening as students are frustrated that it hasn't opened yet," he said.

For students who used the facility before, the reopening of the computer lab would be convenient.

"It would be nice if there was somewhere where you could print," said junior Robert Klacansky.

Tags: HELLER LOUNGE, OPEN COMPUTING FACILITY