The Echo

Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Sheryl McGloffin

The IT Help Desk has expanded its hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday while continuing its Friday hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., a technical support official said.

According to Tracy Trillet, director of technology support, the hour extension is in response to a survey given to faculty and staff last year.

In the survey, 48 percent of faculty and staff responded that

they experienced technical problems after 5 p.m., Trillet said.
"A lot of students are in classes after 5 p.m. and in the past, faculty did not have anyone to help them with computer problems at night," she said.

The IT staff are able to respond to issues with podiums, computer labs and classrooms. According to Monty Wilson, assistant vice chancellor information technology, extending support meets the needs identified by the classroom technology committee.

Trillet said no additional staff has been hired or funding been given. "There's no new funding. We're just having to spread it out," she said.

The hour extension is during the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session, Trillet said. The normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours will resume when classes are not in session, she said.

"A lot of universities have 24 hour service, but we are far from that," Trillet said.

Nick Davis, a Chattanooga junior, said the hour extension has been very beneficial to him.

Davis said he answers the phones in the main IT office.

"I think it's fantastic," Davis said. "It pays me more money if I stay here until 8 p.m."

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