Instead, the committee decided to meet again at the end of next month so they have time to explore the different options suggested in a report from IBM who studied SIUC computer facilities.

Executive Director C. Michael Williams said Information Technology received numerous complaints about the inadequacy of the help desk’s services and decided to shut it down and start over from scratch.

IT has already allocated almost $550,000 for a new facility, the Customer Service Center, in Lentz Hall. The money was used for fiber optic wiring, hardware, software and furniture for the new facility.

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Geoffrey Nathan, associate professor of linguistics, said some help was better than what the campus has now nothing and wished more time had been spent deciding if all the equipment was really necessary.

I think it’s something that probably should have been discussed at greater length. he said. We simply can’t afford the best, we can’t afford a Rolls Royce.

George Parker, associate professor of mathematics, said although closing the desk was Williams’ decision to make, he does not necessarily agree with the logic behind the choice.

This is what administrators are paid for, but his attitude seemed to be that nothing is better than something, he said.

Williams said he believes without properly trained employees and adequate equipment, the help desk does more harm than good.

I’ve listened to people (complain) over and over, he said. That’s why I will only settle for the best.

With the average civil service salary at just under $34,000, cost to staff a new lab the way William’s has said he would like would be nearly $600,000.

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However, William’s admitted the desk may never be what he envisions, because the money may simply not be available.

William’s said there is no money left in the SIUC budget to increase IT’s appropriations this year, however, and there are concerns about the voids that will be created elsewhere in IT if its funds are reallocated