Temple boasts $16M tech center

One of Penn's neighbors is raising the ante on technological gadgetry.

Temple University in North Philadelphia opened a multi-million dollar technology facility loaded with computers, group study rooms and lounges earlier this year.

This Teaching, Education, Collaboration and Help -- or TECH -- Center is the largest of its kind in the nation, according to Temple Associate Vice President for Computer Services Sheri Stahler.

The 75,000-square-foot building, located across the street from Temple's main library, housed telecommunication equipment before Temple gave it a facelift, complete with workstations, plasma TVs and a Starbucks.

The TECH Center, which also houses Temple's Welcome Center, cost $16 million to build, Stahler said.

And while some Penn officials are impressed by the TECH Center, they say the University does offer similar resources.

"Van Pelt Library and Information Commons," said Ira Winston, the School of Arts and Sciences information technology executive director. "That's our answer to this."

Penn also has multiple specialized computer labs -- many of which also double as classrooms.

Stahler said that about 6,000 students use the Temple facility each day to write papers, check e-mail, collaborate on projects, create music tracks, edit video, watch TV and hang out.

That popularity comes with a cost, though. Temple students who use the center say they appreciate the technology, but not the noise which accompanies it.

"Study-wise, it's not that great because it's fairly loud. But there's lots of computers, scanners and laser printers," said Wayne Nguyen, a Temple junior.

"They're some rooms that are quiet, but for the most part, most people don't go there because it's quiet," Nguyen added. "I know some people who live there."

Workstations at the TECH Center have TV tuner cards that allow feeds from stations such as CNN, ESPN and Comedy Central to play on its computers, she added.

On the second floor, a vending machine dispenses not M&Ms; but batteries, Advil, headphones and USB flash drives.

Stahler said the opening of the TECH Center allowed Temple to close some other computing labs and to convert them into "much-needed" classroom space.

Stahler and other Temple officials have been encouraged by the center's popularity.

"We have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of students pouring in," she said. "Temple has about 9,000 students on or near campus, and this is a great place for them."

Penn officials said that similar technology at the University is extremely popular.

So-called "breakout rooms," or group-study areas, are extremely popular according to both Stahler and Winston, the School of Arts and Sciences' top IT official.

And while the TECH Center has the latest video and music software and hardware, Penn officials say there's nothing there that can't be found in the Charles Addams' fine arts building.

And some Penn students who use video and music equipment for class think that Penn adequately provides these services.

Dana Schenendorf, a College senior majoring in visual studies, said Penn's design labs are well equipped.

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