Jerry Hostetler, head of Instructional Support Services, said the multi-media equipment available includes eight Liquid Crystal Display projectors, computer work stations, laser-disc players, new projection equipment for video use and CD-ROM drives.

Over the last few years, there has been some hard work put into upgrading Lawson Hall, Hostetler said. We have, and will continue to institute some fairly substantial changes in an effort to make all multi-media available to instructors.

Jay Starratt, director of Automation and Technical Services, said the funding was provided by the office of the vice president for academic affairs and provost, with the aid of gifts from State Farm Insurance and Caterpillar Corporation.

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Anthony Sepich, Lawson Hall supervisor, said the use of new wireless microphones has gone over well with the instructors..

The new microphones are extremely popular with professors, he said. They allow instructors to come closer to the edge of the stage and interact more with students. They are no longer tied to the podium.

Of the new equipment, Hostetler said the LCD projectors have been a big help.

LCD projectors allow instructors to plug their laptop computers directly into the projector and display their presentation programs on the projection screen, he said.

Sepich said scheduling for the LCD projectors is easier this fall, compared with last semester.

Last semester, scheduling for the LCD projectors was tight in that we had only two projectors when three professors requested the use of one, Sepich said. Now, a professor can call in two hours ahead of a lecture to request an LCD projector, and there is no problem.

Marketing professor John Grant, who incorporates the LCD projectors into his lectures, said the LCD projectors are a big help.

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Particularly in Marketing, an emphasis is placed on making a good presentation, he said. Through the use of LCD projectors, students get to see actual models. It’s a visual enrichment and it really helps.

Another function Lawson Hall performs for instructors and students is audiorecording lectures, Sepich said.

Certain professors request that we audio tape their lectures, Sepich said. This is particularly helpful, because students can go and check out the tapes in the Self Instruction Center in Morris Library and review lecture material from the first day.

Hostetler said rewiring is in progress in Lawson Hall, so that complete control of the LCD projectors will be in the hands of the instructors. He said that they are also hoping to have an Internet connection in Lawson Hall within the next couple of weeks.

Future plans include the installation of a distance learning classroom in Lawson Hall.

Distance learning allows us to extend courses to community colleges who lack specialty in a particular area, Heidi Greer, director of Distance Learning said. The courses are unique and enhance a degree without the student coming to SIU.