Written by Michael Lis-Sette
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for students regarding technology on campus is the lack of wireless in the dorm rooms (though it does work in the lobbies). This is largely due to the construction of the buildings, but that makes it no less frustrating for students. Of course, free Ethernet access is provided, and almost every student brings his own computer, whether a desktop (somewhat rare) or a laptop (far more common,) so it is not that big of an issue. Bringing a computer is a big plus in comparison to relying on the computer labs or the library computers, which can easily fill up for most of the middle of the day. This can be a real problem for students who live off campus or just don’t own a printer, though each lab does have at least a few dedicated printing stations set up; whether they are enough or not is a different question.
Teaching labs are locked up and require you to know the pass code to get in, so unless you’re in a class and the professor was kind enough to share it or you are able to slip in for a few minutes, they aren’t really an option. The lack of a 24-hour lab can make this even more frustrating, and many students are still bothered by the recent removal of free printing, though Seattle U is one of the only schools in the area to offer a set number of free pages at the start of each quarter. This does not mean Seattle University is in the technological Stone Age, though, as class registration is performed online and almost every form and rulebook can be downloaded with the click of a mouse. If you do bring a computer to school, a laptop would be your best bet, but be certain your professor is OK with you using one in class; most are, but some are rather set against the idea.