CO-OP ED STUDENT PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN COMPLETION OF BOND SCIENCE REMODEL.

December 18, 2000

Within the Cooperative Education program, learning is experiential: theories learned within the classroom are applied in the workplace, thereby taking understanding, knowledge, and education to the next step. Thanks to bond construction activities, the Science remodel on LCC's main campus offered a significant experiential learning opportunity for one LCC student, who, by fulfilling his Cooperative Education requirement, helped rebuild electronic systems in the Science facility as a temporary bond employee. Bond construction activities in new or remodeled space includes establishment of electronic systems that enable a department to carry out daily business. Normally, such work is no problem, but when a construction company turns a facility over to LCC approximately one week prior to classes, installation of critical computer infrastructure takes on greater urgency. Nowhere has this type of urgency been displayed to date than with the Science remodel. Dave Schiappa, manager of the Science lab and head computer tech for the department, was faced with installation of all departmental staff/student workstations, printers, high performance internetworking devises, and software. Moreover, due to exponential growth of computer technology in the Science field, Dave knew that the critical installation must include an upgrade of the entire networking system. Faced with hundreds of patch wires, a plethora of tasks, and a small window of opportunity to complete work, Dave decided to call Larry Scott in Cooperative Education. Larry had the remedy for Dave's dilemma - Joseph Newton.

Joseph, a Computer Information Technology (CIT) student with a degree in Programming, was working with the Co-op program to complete a second degree in Networking. Larry saw a perfect match. In fulfilling his Cooperative Education requirement by working in the newly remodeled Science building, Joseph could get practical work experience in an area that held great interest and practicality for him; Dave Schiappa could get much needed help in wiring and setting up the networking system for the Science department. In light of the imminent need, papers were filled out, and Joseph, the first LCC student with such a significant role in bond construction, was put on the bond payroll. With the clock ticking down, Dave gave Joseph a strong orientation to the Science building set up and what needed to be done in the facility. As Dave soon found out, a holistic understanding of networking coupled with a keen interest and outstanding work ethic enabled Joseph to work effectively with little supervision. It was also clearly evident that CIT's high level of instruction was reflected in Joseph's training: he knew the specifics and how to troubleshoot problems in a mixed platform of PC and MacIntosh equipment. Such knowledge was essential, seeing that classes had begun as electricians made final hookups in classrooms and offices. Generally, there was only an hour a day that instructional classrooms were not booked up. Therefore, Joseph had to have a full plate of work options that could be performed in order to make substantial progress. Among other duties, a typical day for Joseph might include working quickly in vacant classrooms, effectively connecting and setting up computer systems until students began arriving for the next scheduled class. Joseph's calm manner and warm smile served him well as he carried out Dave's instructions, amicably interacting on occasion with staff and students, while setting up routers, programming computers, and connecting massive amounts of shiny blue data cables to the building's main frame. When all was said and done, Joseph Newton got the job done. The general consensus from Science personnel was summed up nicely by Connie Rowlett, "We couldn't have done it without him!" In actuality, Joseph's conscientious work ethic and knowledge of programming and networking was instrumental in fulfilling not only his need for CIT cooperative experience in networking, but two other major requirements: the Bond Management Team's responsibility to see that electronic systems are installed in new or remodeled spaces, and the Science Department's need for rewiring and programming of an upgraded networking infrastructure. Most certainly, in the case of the Science remodel, it can be said that bond construction activities not only provided new hallowed halls of higher education, but in so doing, provided a milieu in which an LCC student could take theory learned in the classroom to the next step - experiential learning.

Questions and comments about any bond construction activity may be directed to 744-4154 or e-mailed to bond@lanecc.edu. All communication received will be regularly reviewed by the Bond Project Management Team (BPMT), the architects, and the Facilities Management Committee.