UNIVERSITY
The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 3, 1997 -3f
From e-mail to exam crams, computers connect 'U'
By Maria Hackett
Daily Staff Reporter
Learning to navigate computer usage
at the University can be as complicated
as crawling through the entangling net
of pages on the World Wide Web.
Out after getting familiar with the
d ftware and equipment of the,
iversity's computing offerings, using
the latest technology is a breeze.
"Once you know a minimum of com-
puting, it's easy to learn the rest,' said
J.SA senior Tia Bradley.
Using com-
puters is an inte-
gral part of the j n e
educational
experience, and com putel
the best way to
t familiar with came to
t is to start early.
With 15 comput-
rng sites on cam-
,pus and 15 resi-
dence hall sites,
jt's tough not to be affected by the pull of
pchnology.
"Because computers are used in all
apademic disciplines at U of M, students
uld become comfortable with com-
9tng applications and services early on
in the term. They shouldn't wait until the
last minute when a paper or lab report is
due;" said Ruth Addis, area manager for
the Information Technology Division's
,prgducts and services.
As might be expected, some students
Ae computers more than others.
"There's a core of heavy computer
users that use computers 20 hours a
week or more," said ITD spokesperson
, athleen McCletchey. McCletchey
timated 20 percent of students fit this
description.
E
a
About 50 percent of students use
computers less than 10 hours a week,
she said.
"Word processors, e-mail and other
communication products are the most
dominantly used software on campus,"
McClatchey said.
Many students also use computers to
play network games like Doom,
Warcraft and Quake, as well.
"I know people that play games all
day or check their e-mail thousands of
times a day. I consider that unhealthy,"
said LSA senior
Andy Dettore.
usedStudent levels
hr aof computer
r before f knowledge are
as diverse as the
U of Me"student popula-
tion itself.
- Andy Dettore "I never used
LSA senior a computer
before I came to
U of M. It was
easier than I thought it would be,"
Dettore said. "Now, at least I can type
a paper and flip through Netscape."
Several non-credit computer classes
are available for students wanting to
build their skills. Yet most students
begin with a lot of computer experi-
ence, Addis said.
LSA senior Holly Myszenski said
she has become well versed in the offer-
ings of the Internet.
"I'm pretty computer literate. I do a
lot of Web stuff, and I maintain an e-
mail list for the women's rugby team,"
Myszenski said.
There are several services available
for users who experience problems
while using the system.
"The closest thing is the online help
that's a part of most software applica-
tions," Addis said. Other help can be
obtained through consultants, e-mail or
by calling 764-HELP.
More often, students look to friends
first before seeking out a consultant,
McClatchey said. At times, students
have to wait for professional assis-
tance. McClatchey said that a recent
survey revealed that "about 10 per-
cent of students" had long waits for
assistance.
Another delay often comes when using
printers - students are no strangers to
waiting in line, especially around final-
exam time. Students sometimes wait up
to an hour for the use of a computer ter-
minal during a "paper crunch."
"It's only because everyone waited
until the last minute, so it can be avoid-
ed," Bradley said.
"Angell Hall is always crowded," said
LSA senior Ly Pham. "Around exam
time, it's more crowded than usual."
Students have several strategies for
avoiding the wait.
"I know most of the computing sites
on campus that a lot of other people don't
know about," Myszenski said.
Some sites are more heavily used
than others.
"The computing sites of C.C. Little
and up on the Med campus are usually
pretty deserted," Myszenski said.
The most-used sites are Angell Hall
and Nubs, McClatchey said.
Other students avoid lines by using
the sites at times when less people are
there.
"Typing papers at midnight is good.
There are less people in the sites, and
it's more relaxed," Dettore said.
Most students learn the best times to
go to various sites, Bradley said. "The
BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Gal
Rackham student Jeff Middents uses a Macintosh computer in Angell Hall. The computing center at AngellHal Is a campus::
hub for students writing papers, surfing the Web and checking email.
worst time would probably be between
7 (p.m.) and midnight."
About 60 percent of students own
their own computer, although owning
a computer is not a necessity, Addis
said.
"I'd say it is an asset," Bradley said.
"You don't have to wait in line for a
computer."
Other students manage to get along
fine without one.
"I've survived without a computer
here," Myszenski said. "I figure when
I graduate, I'll plunk down the money,
knowing how fast technology
changes."
In order to keep services up to date,
ITD is "regularly upgrading hardware
and software in our sites," Addis said.
"ITD services continue to improve
and evolve as technology changes."
Some of the improvements include
putting Windows NT on all campus
PCs, and utilizing the Web more for dis-
tributing information.
"ITD is continually trying to make
services better tailored to students
needs," McClatchey said. Thi
includes providing services that wil
prepare students for computing afte-
college.
"I'd say my computer knowledge i
the one asset I can count on," Bradle'
said.
See related article: Surf the Net at the
Web's eclectic sites. Page ID.
'5,000 'U'
$tuents
s a tG reek life
y Stephanie Hepburn
sily Staff Reporter
Leadership, scholarship, service and
iendship are four words members of the
reek system use to express the benefits
ered by fraternities and sororities.
Interfraternity Council member Mike
Ingber said rush is a time for sororities
and fraternities to acquire new members.
"The term 'rush' signifies the tradi-
tional recruiting period for fraternities
and sororities," lngber said. "Rush for
fraternities is just going up and visiting
any frat, just walking in."
.ingber said rushing is a good way to
get people.
eI was new to the University when I
rushed. After rush I ended up with 300
more friends," Ingber said.
Laura Coughlan, member of the
Panhellenic Association, described rush
,s a time of mutual selection. Coughlan
.said rush is a positive, new experience.
"Rushing gave me a quick opportuni-
ato meet a lot of people when I first
ot to the University. It was a great way
to build friendships," Coughlan said.
Ingber said the Greek system is not
ust a means for building friendships,
but also a way to enhance ones leader-
fAhip roles.
,, ,"Eachchapter of both sororities and
raternities has a president and an exec-
utive board," Ingber said.
Many opportunities emerge through
the 5,000 University students that are in
the Greek system, Ingber said.
Greek life also hold many social
*ents throughout the year.
"The social events of the Greek system
-age from date parties, intramural
sports, formals, sisterhood-brotherhood
CROWS
Continued from Page 1C
together in the cemetery behind Observatory Street. From
there, when nightfall comes, they descend on Central
Campus.
Bird experts, or ornithologists,
agreed that as the season changes,
most of the crows will find new
homes. .
"Yes, it's a problem, the flock is
going to break up soon, though," said
University pest-control specialist Dale
Hodgson last March.
But Hodgson said the crows will be.'
back next November. He said the
University has toyed with the notion
their nig hi
their tern,
- Cyn
Hodgson said dispersing the birds when they first start to
roost is very important. Officials have talked about using big
balloons shaped like owls or owls' eyes to make the crows
"feel nervous."
Hodgson said that while crow droppings are certainly a
nuisance, they are not likely to cause
serious health problems.
spend "For there to be a large problem, as
far as feces goes, there would have to
ts in be much more of it," Hodgson said.
Parr said that when the crows leave
tories." campus, they head for a variety of des-
tinations.
thia Sims Parr "Some fly back north, some spend
Crow expert their nights in their territory where
their own nests are," Parr said, adding
that other small groups of unmated
birds called 'gangs' continue to roam around locally.
of using scare tactics to deter the birds' future campus appear-
ances.
FILE PHOTO
Ryan Rowbotham, Lauren Kachorek and Mel Soils participate in the Pi Kappa Phi
Scaffold Sit for PUSH America in September, 1996. The event was held to benefit
people with disabilities.
events, football games, community ser-
vice and Greek Week," Coughlan said.
"It's a great way to learn about yourself."
Greek Week is a week in which orga-
nizations raise money for charity.
"Last year we raised $40,000 for
charity, donated 500 pints of blood and
did 1,500 hours of community service,"
Ingber said. "The Greek system gets
you involved with the University and
the community."
LSA senior Neil Sharma said his best
memory will be of just hanging out
with his friends.
"The most fun was not the parties or
events, but just sitting around in some-
one's room, waking up and going to
someone's room, and six of your closest
friends are sitting there watching TV
and just hanging out."
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