Bucknell UniversityComputers Summary

Written by Jen Adams

Jen Adams

Hometown

Washington, PA

Major

Economics/Political Science

View all previous student authors

While there are computers and labs all over campus, a personal computer is definitely convenient. The computer labs on the first floor of the library are usually crowded, but there are other places around campus and on other floors of the library that have labs. Not every student knows about these labs, therefore they are typically not crowded. At Bucknell, students’ computers provide them with more than just a place to type their class assignments—it's also their link to the outside world. Students constantly use Facebook to stay in touch with their friends and to post photos—usually when Monday rolls around, one can expect to find several new albums filled with pictures from the previous weekend. Status updates have become somewhat of an easel, where students can express themselves and learn what their friends are currently doing. Students are so dependent on their computers for social reasons that when they have computer problems or the server fails, students feel out of the loop and disconnected. The Bucknell server is typically reliable, although students occasionally have trouble connecting to the network during finals week because everyone is using it.

The Library and IT Tech Desk is probably one of the most helpful services at Bucknell. While there are a number of engineering students who know a lot about computers, there are many others whose solution to a computer problem is always “restart.” When restart fails, students can head to the tech desk with their laptop or make an appointment for a house call if they have a desktop. Library and IT also has a screen name on AIM, which is used to answer student’s questions if they are having computer problems. Most of the members of Library and IT are computer-savvy students, but there are also some non-student employees. Everybody is always very helpful, and someone from Library and IT calls your room the day after your computer is fixed just to be sure that everything has continued to work properly.