I think there's an old saying that goes something like if you can't measure it you can't manage it or something like that. Last week I took myself and three students on a tour of the "centrally provided" IT facilities on the main city campus. It took us just over two hours to do them all bar one (the bar one was in use for teaching a class). We rated the facilities on a scale of 1 to 3 where 3 is good and we spent a bit of time agreeing the various dimensions which ranged from accessibility, safety, equipment, signage, personal security, quality etc. The results will be published in some form of report that I haven't written yet, but I expect an article to appear in the student magazine next month...here are the verbatim comments from the students. Other views and perspectives welcome. It is an attempt to be constructive about how we can make improvements especially with the plans to invest millions in a replacment Knowledge Eschange facility we need to learn from the present:
The small numbers of PCs provided in the JBP library extensions were felt by all to the the best environment - combining natural light, good equipment and quiet study
The signage was generally felt to be out of date, negative versus positive (should we do an IMPACT Analysis?)
One of our party noticed that the toilet signage had been vandalised
The general safety (for students and staff) was felt to be very low especially at the lower levels of the JBP Building (level 01 especially) and at night - these are open 24x7 Monday to Friday
There were a variety of chairs scattered around - many were broken, some were exam style plastic chairs, some were 1970s provenance - many were not fit for purpose
There was nowhere to revive or take the recommended break from computers - colour, texture, coffee, papers - basically nothing offered
You cannot lock computer to take a break - not even limiting one computer per user - so when busy don't take breaks
The open plan group study areas were welcomed but they have no provision for laptop, PCs and some of them are sited in "silent" areas!
Why is there no space for vending machine, magazine, newspapers, sofas (waterstones, coffee bars etc)
Very few areas for group study - not necessarily rooms
What does silent study mean versus quiet study
There is a need for a good mixture of spaces
Why are the scanners all in one place - if you need a scanner you have to log out and leave room?
Richmond Building only has two rooms at top of building?
The working space for most users is very small e.g. for taking notes and nowhere to put belongings e.g. paper holders attached to PCs
No separation of benches/workspaces - people on top of each other ref privacy
Very aggressive signage - don't do this, don't do that
Basement feels very unsafe with no natural light
Documentation in cluster rooms - how to do thisis not in the right place - why not a pdf on the machines so you don't have to leave the desk to read the signs?
No access to a water fountain in JBP or Richmond building
One of the disabled access workstations on floor 0 is broken
And these workstations are separate from the others?
Lack of colours and creativity
Which room am I in - difficult to tell actually
Signage and advice about good posture and taking breaks?
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