Over the summer the Bonaventure community received technology updates throughout the campus.
The updates included flat-screen televisions in all residence hall lounges and new systems in three computer labs, said Michael Hoffman, associate provost and chief information officer at Bonaventure.
Hoffman said that he was delighted the university was able to more than triple the Internet bandwidth which should have a direct and positive impact on students
“The upgrades to our campus computer labs are also very exciting and will enhance the academic experience of our students,” Hoffman said.
This past June, the Information Technology department upgraded the campus Internet connection by tripling the size of the campus connection. According to Hoffman, more students are streaming media rather than watching television.
“We survey the students each year, the results of which directly influenced our decision to upgrade the campus Internet connection as well as the installation of technology in the Devereux lounge,” Hoffman said.
Students have influence over where technology is updated or added. Student concern prompted the addition of a technology lounge in Devereux Hall, Hoffman said.
Haylei John, a sophomore international studies and Spanish major, said having a printer and a computer lab in Devereux is very convenient, especially with the online printing option.
“I lived in Falconio last year, so not having a computer or printer in the building would take some getting used to,” John said. “Thankfully, I can take care of all my last minute prints before my 8:30 classes.”
Many upperclassman have said they are happy to have experienced the technology updates.
“I think it would have been very beneficial if I had access to a printer while living in Devereux,” Dasey Taylor, a senior journalism and mass communication major, said. “I would have to wake up early to make it to the library before class to print things out. That was very annoying.”
The I.T department installed large screen televisions in each residence hall lounge that did not already have them. Each television is paired with a new high definition cable box. In addition to the updates in residence halls, enhancements have also been made inside the classrooms. Over 20 of the classroom podium computers were replaced with new systems.
Some students said they believe the university could have better spent the money.
Samantha Harrienger, sophomore early childhood education major, said she never used the old televisions as much as she could have.
“I think that it would have been better to keep the old televisions unless they were broken so that the money spent on those could have gone elsewhere,” Harrienger said.
fieldsbj14@bonaventure.edu
