UT COAD: BRING THE COMPUTER LAB BACK - PROCESS THAT!

The question the UTK College of Architecture and Design should be asking itself is, "Are we creating a creative environment that is both equitable and nurturing?" With the removal of the computer labs, the answer is seemingly, "No". It may be argued that students are required to purchase laptops when they enter the program or that laptops are available to be checked-out. For those who cannot afford these expenses, financial aid is available or a laptop may be lent for free for their time in the program. What is not considered are the hoops (barriers) and hassle (time) between these students and the laptops. We are told these laptops are essential for success and pressured to purchase them, even though, for some, money is in short supply. Applying for even more financial assistance becomes yet another burden. Returning and rechecking out laptops becomes a waste of your time. Knowing that if your purchased laptop breaks, you may not have the time or money to get it fixed because of both your financial situation and the impending studio deadline lingers in the back of your mind. All of these factors put certain young designers at a disadvantage compared to others. The computer lab not only served as a level playing field for all students, but provided a collaborative space for testing new ideas and building community outside of studio. Students of different years and skill sets, all using the same computers, were able to ask questions and learn from each other. Some may contend that if all students had a similar space to work in, but were using their own/loaned laptops, this would create a healthy environment. Or that, by every student having a laptop, they would have more flexibility in their work location. Again, what is not considered is the monetary/temporal burden of laptops. Students with fewer financial barriers are able to purchase faster, higher quality machines; this translates to more time left for engaging with other young designers and less e

Bring back the computers

I thought for sure this wasn't true when I saw it. The computer lab serves those who need a place to collaborate, work on a dependable machine, and to help those who don't have access to the financial resources to buy the nicest laptop available. As an alumni, I'd hope my donations are supporting students and not being lost.

I initially thought this article was a joke. How can you get rid of a computer lab that serves as a collaborative creative space to students of all year levels? It would be truly detrimental to the community within the College of Architecture and Design if the lab no longer existed. Inumerous times as a student I was able to further develop my projects, build friendships, trouble shoot technical problems, and expand my knowledge of design through discussions with peers in the computer lab. Bring it back! It's more valuable than you know.

The Computer Lab was my favorite place to come together and test ideas. It brought us closer and helped us collaborate. It brought a diverse range of majors, year levels and different studios together in one place. A monitor on a desk is just not the same. Bring it back.

Additionally, I was able to get a job at a Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm thanks to the computer lab, as my laptop didn't have the software or processing capacity needed to complete the 3D modeling part of the application.

As a former student of CoAD, this is a baffling report. The computer lab was integral to nearly everyone's success at the school. Laptops frequently breakdown and having a reliable resource for high powered processing is absolutely necessary for a student's education. A design school without a computer lab places UT in an educational grey-area that lowers the quality of the college experience and offers only a disappointing gap where limitless exploration used to be. The quality of my education was excellent and I expect the school to continue upholding the same standard of resources for all current and prospective students.

Access to quality computers levels the playing field for students from all backgrounds. I could not have graduated top of my class without access to the lab considering in my five years I had two laptops crash and one hard drive fail. Technology setbacks are a hurdle our industry has yet to solve and will continue to be an issue as our dependence on it grows. The computer lab was a reliable and realistic backup plan that all students could depend on.

I feel like this is an unfortunate misstep in the program that will greatly hinder the students and prove more challenging for the faculty to properly instruct their coursework. Technology, as we know, is not often dependable as we might hope and I can think of several times for me personally where the computer lab was salvation during finals or other periods. I feel the school has made many great strides over the years, but, as usual, is not realistically supportive of the many students who are already paying often somewhat obscene amounts out-of-pocket to go there. It is shameful that this resource would not be available to future students, especially as the field is becoming more and more dependent on digital representation and fabrication. If you're going to throw out the accessibility to your resources that are clearly necessities, your students will likely go elsewhere where resources are more adequately supplied for their money.

I cannot overstate the value of having access to the computer lab in the Art and Architecture Building at UTK, both to my formal education and financial situation while in school. Please don't limit these students' options by taking away a place that contributes so much to their overall professional and personal development.

The computer lab at UT COAD gave me access to a more competent computer than I had (and could afford). It also creates a sub-community within the COAD that includes all years, undergrad and grad, interior design and architecture. I learn more in the computer lab than I would have on my computer at home or even in my own studio.

I spent countless hours in the Computer lab. It was vital to my education being in close proximity to collaborating with others working on similar tasks. Having quick printing available. And more power Computer specs to tackle large rendering tasks.

It's entirely wrong that many schools are doing away with their computer labs... Many schools that I've toured/been at this semester that are above us in ranking still have one (sometimes two) labs and even hold their technology classes in the rooms.

It's economically unjust to remove open access to one of the key tools in architecture education. The cost of architecture school is already prohibitive for so many -- removing a computer lab only exacerbates this situation.

Yesssssssss

Bring it back!

Please bring back the computer lab. It so so much more convenient for quick scans, easier collaboration, and it had 24/7 access.

Class of 2007. The computer lab is vital to the growth of ideas, and development among students. Also an amazing tool any worthwhile college should have. This is news that the computer lab isn't there anymore and very sad news at that.

The mobile units don't work, and the best arch schools in the nation give students computer labs, not take them away.

BRING IT BACK!