By SAM ELDRIDGE

StaffWriter

Most would agree that technology plays an enormous role in the advancement of higher education. Students need these tools to complete assignments, grasp course material and present ideas to their peers. But what happens to the academic life of a college student when their tools of success are not up to par or simply not there?

The Athens campus of Piedmont offers many rooms and computer labs filled with technology that are primarily used for educational purposes. Most of the computers remain off or in sleep mode and when powered on, have speeds parallel to that of drying paint (if you’re lucky and the Wi-Fi is working). Lectures using the computers located in the old church building’s classrooms are delayed about ten to 20 minutes each time the system is booted up. The six floors of the main building boast numerous wide screen televisions that are usually off and a set of projectors and screens that remain in a deep-hibernating sleep. There are even a couple of televisions in the lobby for your viewing pleasure if you look through a telescope or sit backwards in your chair. If any students are interested in branching out to the business or education majors, they need only to visit either one of the state-of-the-art buildings or more realistically “crumbling ruin of an ancient house.” Sadly, if enrolled students wish to pursue a major in nursing here in Athens, they will have to settle with the multi-million dollar equipment in Lane Hall. If they can deal with the advanced nursing labs loaded with the equipment of a modern hospital and the high tech training dummy that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, then they might be able to stomach the fully and highly trained staff of professors to reach their goal of a degree. 

When it is all said and done, one question must be asked. With all of the breathtaking beauty that the technology of the Commons building has to offer (the commons being the main building of the Athens campus. Yes the cafeteria and most of the “classrooms” are in one building. Such innovation), could it actually get any better? “It is a decision that has to be made in Demorest. I can push the idea and highly encourage whatever fits the needs of the students. I would love to see this campus equipped with all of the latest and greatest technologies but it is not an economically sound idea. I also have to take into consideration what is best for the education of our students, not just giving them the newest and shiniest toys,” said Vice President for Athens campus, Mel Palmer. Palmer urges the importance of technology for students and has an idea to provide tablets for classes in the future.