Science lab's archaic gear suffers decay
Renewal seen in near future
Paul Jones
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: News
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"Our computer science laboratory serves all of the disciplines here, and it's been three years since we had a new computer in the facility," said geology professor Jim Locke. "For three years we've received no funding for upgrading or even repairing the lab. We're just really falling behind."
According to Locke, the out-dated computers make teaching his class difficult. "If there's a student who wants to be a geography major, they're not going to be prepared for upper division work because we can't offer a complete lower division," he said. "There are computer issues associated with geography in this geographic information system software. It's definitely a technology we need."
Locke also noted that some students might leave the college to pursue lower division science at other colleges and universities. "I think that's where we're getting hurt by some of the more robust programs in the Bay Area," he said.
Other teachers also feel the science facilities need attention. "As far as astronomy, we've got a computer science center that's still running Windows "95," said professor Rob Chavez. "It's very awkward to deal with." Referring to the lab equipment he uses in class, Chavez acknowledged the deficiencies are taking a toll. "Most of the equipment is old and a lot of times if we have more than one (piece of equipment), there's only one that's working," he said. "We tried to have students build a telescope out of a box of 25 lenses. You can only build one working telescope."
Chavez recalled difficulties in his physics classes. "I wanted to do a demonstration of light interference," he said. "I find out the only jack stand I can find isn't stable enough, and you can't align it." Chavez said that "an upgrade would make things a lot easier."
Another complaint is the ratio of part-time to full-time professors. Locke said that though he was credentialed as a geology teacher, he had been serving as a geography teacher as well. "I am a geologist. It's been a farce for 20 years," said Locke. "There are courses that majors should have in the geography department that we don't have the skills to teach."