Eleven student organizations will receive a total of 31 computers and one-third of the money required to upgrade the computer memories from Information Technology to improve the groups’ communication abilities, University officials say.

Patty Cosgrove, assistant director of Information Technology, said at a press conference Tuesday that 11 student organizations will receive old computers from SIUC’s computer learning centers.

She said one-third of the money needed to fund the upgrading of computer memories and to provide campus network access will come from Information Technology, while the other two-thirds will come from the student organizations and SIUC Chancellor John Guyon’s office.

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Kim Clemens, Undergraduate Student Government president, said the organizations will be able to use the computers to communicate more effectively with each other and other college groups because of Internet access and E-mail capabilities.

The computers will enable us to get more current information statewide and at the national level, she said.

Clemens said USG will pay $2,739.24 for two computers and to have five of USG’s existing computers upgraded. She said the price was less than she expected, and she hopes that the computers will be installed by the end of the semester.

Cosgrove said the other 10 student organizations receiving the computers are the InterGreek Council; International Student Council; Black Affairs Council; American Marketing Association; Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Friends; Student Programming Council; WIDB Radio; United Asian American Council; Hispanic Student Council and the Graduate and Professional Student Council.

Larry Hengehold, Information Technology assistant associate director, said the older computers were given to the student organizations because the University updated the computers in the learning centers last year.

He said giving the computers to the organizations extended the life of the computers while providing better technology for the organizations.