With the new school year rapidly approaching, students are preparing their laptops, backpacks, and school supplies in preparation for fall semester. Over the past few months, CSU has been renovating and improving the school, including the addition of new computers in the Simon Schwob Memorial Library.  

Recently, The Uproar spoke to Dr.Banks, the Interim Dean of Libraries and Graduate Studies, about the new computer lab, to which he stated, “The entire campus is going through a computer refresh because Microsoft is updating its operating system to Windows 11. Many of our computers were unable to update to this new operating system. Some of them were nearly 10 years old. This meant we needed to look at our computers in the library and determine how many desktops and laptops our students need. The computer lab usage was down and our loaner laptops – which students can pick up from the service desk and take anywhere in the library – were getting more frequent usage. So, we are getting more laptops and reducing the size of our computer lab, from 100 to around 10. These 10 will be available for students to use. The plan is to have these computers equipped with the programs that laptops have difficulty running, like Photoshop and GIS.” 

The computer lab will include 10 computers for use alongside a printer and a scanner. Like many educational institutions, the library does have loanable laptops for students, whether their laptop is being repaired, or they do not have one. The catch is that some computers are dated, some dating back all the way to 2013 and 2016. These are varied depending on the computer lab you go to around campus. 

Some of the upcoming perks include new computers that can run specialized programs more smoothly. With solid-state storage, they will perform better across all tasks. The new installations will also be compatible with Windows 11. Windows 10 will stop receiving updates in October, which could impact security and performance. 

Columbus State University first introduced computers in the lab in 2011, more than a decade ago. These computer upgrades are long overdue. Overall, the new computers in the lab and downsizing the lab will be a positive for the students, especially with the upcoming school year approaching rapidly.