Microcomputing Services

There is a little known group of heroes on this campus. They are the ones who fix the printers in the computer lab and have the ability to up print quotas.   Maybe this alone makes them stand out, but there is much more to NSU’s student technical consultants.
Microcomputing Services Center, located on the third floor of the Net Building, hires and trains students as technicians for the approximately 1,600 computers on campus.   They not only work the labs, they set up network connections, install software, and completely disassemble and fix computer hardware.   They also answer the questions of faculty and students alike over the phones of the help desk.  
“There are many benefits for both students and faculty with regards to the help desk,’ said Chris Cummings, Muskogee senior, who has been with MSC for over two years. “The main benefit is the customer service we strive to provide everyone. There is almost always someone here to answer any questions any student, faculty, or staff member may have.”
Being a full-time student and a part-time technician is much like having a full time job.   At MSC, student technical consultants are offered many opportunities for advancement and change with both their job assignments and schedules.
“MSC offers a three level system for students to excel, each level being achieved through taking a 100 question test, and then being voted on by the highest level employees during a specific time for promotions,” said Sheri Wheatley, level one STC and Chouteau junior.
According to Wheatley, at the first level the technicians are trained primarily by student technicians at levels one and three using hands-on experience. This gives them the opportunity to learn and get work accomplished at the same time. An employee who reaches level two is given the responsibility of training those still at level one along with continuing to learn from those in the level three positions. A level three technician acts as an overseer for the two lower... [continues]

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