Ryan Chartrand
Students who can’t finish an assignment at home without getting distracted by their roommates or the latest episode of “Gossip Girl” can look to the Cal Poly campus. Because so much of today’s homework requires a computer as well as online access, the campus offers plenty of different locations with full computer accessibility for student use. Whether one desires the most up-to-date software or a quiet place to work, a good spot is easy to find.
Robert E. Kennedy Library
With seven computer labs and the newly renovated Learning Commons, the library attracts many students looking for a place to study.
The Learning Commons has eight new glass-enclosed study rooms, each equipped with a 42- inch flat screen television that can be used for power point projects and other media work. Students can hook their laptops up to display work on the screens.
Both PC and Mac labs are available on the second floor and feature up-to-date engineering and design programs.
The most popular computer lab is the PolyConnect Open Access Lab located on the first floor, but plan to arrive early if you want to use it, for it can get crowded.
“Around 12 to 3 it becomes busy.” said Saeed Aliasgarian, an aerospace engineering sophomore, who works at the lab desk. “There is about a four-to five-minute wait most of the time.”
The library has a total of about 300 student-use workstations and offers wireless internet on all five floors of the building.
Julian A. McPhee University Union
Another major study hub, the University Union features wireless internet throughout the entire building including San Luis’ and Bishop’s quiet study lounges. The university union also provides 18 computer workstations for those without laptops,
Theater sophomore Bridget Lindem studies at the University Union for its convenient location. “It’s a lot closer than the library, it gets really good wireless connection for my computer and there is always room,” she said.
Dexter Lawn
Dexter Lawn has long been a popular place to relax in between classes by throwing Frisbees or just chatting with friends, but the flat, grassy area is also an inviting place to study.
Lindem hangs out on the lawn during her breaks. “It’s really big so even if there is a lot of people you can still privately study and there are a lot of trees for shade.”
Dexter lawn has wireless internet which makes checking e-mail in between classes a breeze.
Mustang Wireless- outside
“I didn’t know we had wireless internet outside,” English sophomore Carol Cornell said.
Her refrain reflects a common misconception among Cal Poly students.
Many students don’t realize that campus doesn’t just offer wireless internet in the majority of its buildings, it offers it outside too.
There are three other places to work online outside besides Dexter Lawn. Mustang Wireless is available by the Recreation Center pool, in the courtyard by the Science building, and in the patios and lawn of the library.
Department technology
The Orfalea College of Business has a lab of over 100 computers open to all students. The lab is located on the third floor and offers free classes on multimedia programs such as PowerPoint.
The Graphic Arts building features the Design Reproduction Technology and Electronic Publishing Laboratories for graphic communication majors as well as Mac classrooms for journalism students.
The Collaborative Interactive-Integrative Digital-Design Studio, located in the archicture building, gives architecture students a place to work with the latest design software for their projects.
With so many convenient computer-accessible spots on campus, you may never need to study at home again.
For a map of Mustang Wireless locations visit http://wireless.calpoly.edu/coverage.html.