Engineering arts junior Lawrence Thomas hardly ever uses the computer in his Spartan Village apartment.

Although his computer is fully equipped with DVD-rom, a CD burner and performs the most practical word-processing functions, Thomas often finds himself using one of the more than 60 computer microlabs on campus.

“They’re easy to get to,” Thomas said. “I’ve never had any difficulty finding a lab no matter where I was on campus.”

Student Services is a mecca for students and faculty alike, but if surfing the Web or updating a course schedule were on the agenda, staying in the building was not an option - until now.

The building now houses a public microlab. It is equipped with 27 computers stations with 500 Pentium, four laptop connections, one laser printer and two projection screens.

Although the lab is similar to others on campus in size and appearance, the appeal is a little different, said Penny Wali, personnel and budget director for the lab. The lab was designed to make things easier, with access for people with disabilities, two projection screens and a laser printer that is attached to a debit machine. The lab is also open on Saturdays.

“It’s a central place students go; now they can use computers here, to register if they had a hold or to check their e-mail,” said Wali, whose office is also in the building.

And some students seem receptive to having more available computers.

Richard Bass said he wasn’t surprised to see the new addition to Student Services.

“It’s a really good place for a new lab,” the finance sophomore said. “It’s a building where a lot of students spend their time.”

The computer lab has been open for a little more than a month and students have already been filling the seats, Wali said.

“There were a number of students in (the lab) around finals time,” she said. “Now that the word’s out there, we hope more students will use it.”

The microlab is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.