News
03
GlimmerGlass
GLIMMERGLASS.OLIVET.EDU
‘Dawn of the Space Age’
PHOTO BY ETHAN BARSE
Strickler Planetarium provides students with an better understanding of the solar system and constellations.
Rec center construction on schedule G.J. Frye Assistant Opinion Editor
Construction of the Student Life and Recreation Center on the north side of campus is moving along on schedule, despite bizarre weather conditions. The unusually warm temperatures of the past few weeks have benefitted construction. “It was the optimal situation,” said Matt Smith, Director of Campus Recreation. Currently, concrete is being laid down on each of the floors and the basement since the structural framing is complete. Geothermal and cooling systems have been installed under the grassy field on the other side of Weber parking lot. The windows of the rec center have also been covered so the building would be enclosed, making it more weather friendly for the construction workers, Smith explained. He added that the recent snowfall and drop in temperatures shouldn’t affect the pace at which the workers are moving, since the heating system used to transport the concrete is not affected by weather conditions. The Student Life and Recreation Center is still set to be completed and opened on December 12, 2012 at 12:12am.
Planetarium show teaches technology Destiny Mitchell Staff Writer
Students and guests took a roller coaster ride through space on Saturday, Jan. 14, during the first planetarium show of the semester. The feature was an educational program titled “Dawn of the Space Age,” which taught about the advancements made in space technology since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I in 1957. The film was played on the dome of Strickler Planetarium, placing the audience in the middle of the action. Afterward, operator Corey Holtz explained the night sky, pointing out and naming several constellations, including Ursa Major, Ursa Minor and Orion. Holtz is a senior at Olivet and has been an operator at the planetarium since the fall of 2010. “My favorite show to operate is probably the Christmas show, “The Stars of Christmas,” he said. “In [that show] I talk about the winter night sky and some constellations that are visible, and then move on to talk about what the star of Bethlehem near the time of Jesus’ birth may have actually been like. It’s a good opportunity to explore some of the historical aspects of the event of Christ’s birth.” Strickler was constructed in the
late 1960s, around the same time that the Reed Hall of Science was built, according to Stephen Case, planetarium director and science professor. These structures were formed to emphasize science education in the days of the space race. “We’ve been a fixture in the ONU and Bourbonnais community, educating students and the public about astronomy for over 40 years,” Case proudly said. The program on Jan. 14 ended with a very realistic simulation of a roller coaster ride through space, complete with dozens of twists and turns. Using visual and aural stimuli, the animation gave the audience the illusion of actually being in a roller coaster cart careening down the tracks. “It was scary!” said attendee and freshman JT Cummings. Attendance for the 9 p.m. showing was low – only seven people. “Low attendance is sometimes discouraging, but the [Jan. 14] show was not publicized as well as other shows,” Holtz said. Regardless of the small audience, the program still made a significant impact on those who went. “The show provided me with a vast new perspective of the Cold War and the race to space,” Cummings said. “I found it very interesting and really entertaining.”
Wireless upgrade nearing completion Nicole Lafond News Editor
The IT department has installed around 530 of 650 new wireless Internet access points in residential and non-residential buildings on campus, putting the progress of the campus-wide wireless upgrade ahead of schedule. The installation of the new access points, or wireless Internet routers, began last semester. The IT department has installed routers in all residential areas on campus and is halfway finished with the non-residential buildings. The upgrade is still set to be complete by May 2012 but is anticipated to be done by midMarch, according to IT network analyst Mark Green. Once the department finishes putting access points in non-residential buildings, they will install them outdoors and will continue to fine tune each device. “Fine tuning means we will be adjusting the power and channel settings on the access points for better coverage with the least amount of interference possible, which should result in a stable and high quality connection for everyone,” Green explained. Green is very pleased with the progress of the project and the feedback he has gotten. “I have had a few students and RDs tell me they are very happy with the results,” he said.
PHOTO BY MORGAN MCCRIRIE
Once the upgrade is complete, students will have better wireless Internet access in many campus locations.
Some students have already noticed the improvements, especially in residential areas. Junior Becca Phipps, who previously told the GlimmerGlass she resorted to looking things up on her phone instead of using the wireless connection in her apartment, has seen a change in the speed of the Internet in the Oaks. This area was one of the worst connection areas on campus, Green said in the Oct. 20 issue of the GlimmerGlass. “Rarely do I have problems with [the Oaks’ wireless] anymore,” Phipps said. “Actually, it works better than the wireless in the library.” Sophomore and IT employee
Ron Gamache said the upgrade was necessary and successful. “The connection speed of the wireless Internet after the upgrade is at least twice as fast,” he said. “It should give students the freedom to stay connected, without the wire.” Upgrade completion is moving along, but it is not finished. Green advises students, faculty and staff to communicate with the IT department if they feel the wireless coverage isn’t performing as expected. The department will continue to work on fine tuning the coverage in each building. “Bear with us,” he said, “as we are working to get the settings just right.”
JANUARY 26, 2012