By MELISSA WALKER

Staff Writer

The foreign language lab is getting new computers -- kind of.

Because of the recent emphasis on the foreign language lab's shortcomings, Tech will donate the current computers in Wyly Tower of Learning's computer lab.

Dr. Tom Lewis, a professor of foreign languages, said the department will update its technology.

"We are going slowly and step by step," Lewis said. "We are seeing what we need for the students and faculty and trying to get the job done."

Lewis said the department realized the 10-year-old lab was in need of being updated two years ago, but were unsuccessful in obtaining a grant.

Lewis said, however, it worked out for the best, provided the negotiations continue to flourish.

"If we had received a grant two years ago, we would have had far more equipment than what we needed," Lewis said.

Lewis said the old computers from the computer labs will meet the needs of the foreign language classes that require the equipment for laboratory exercises.

"The computers will not replace all of the equipment," Lewis said. "The lab will still perform the same kind of services."

Lewis said the computers will help update the lab.

"The computers will help because the audio exercises [required for foreign language classes] are not digitalized," Lewis said. "[After the new computers are installed] there will not be any more copy cassettes."

Lewis said the need for the updated technology was reinforced by a column recently featured in The Tech Talk by Stacy Temple, the senior news editor and a senior journalism major.

"We were able to attach the column to the memo that requested an upgrade in equipment," Lewis said. "The column was evidence of how great the need for new equipment was."

Temple said using the lab is a h-assle because of the outdated equipment.

"I chose to write the column because I am a full-time student with a full-time job and am not able to use the lab because of its hours of operation," Temple said. "When I do get to go in there, the equipment is so bad, it does not benefit me. We have such good teachers, but I can't reinforce what I learn in lab because of the old equipment."

Temple said things will be different with the new computers.

"I am glad to know my article helped with new computers," Temple said. "Now they can work on getting new tape players and earphones and possibly extending the hours."

Lauren Juneau, a junior elementary education major, said she feels the article contributed.

"It is about the students," Juneau said. "Students affect what gets changed on campus."