Spring Break
The Daily OrangeiSchool brings technology education to Syracuse's South Side
By Kelsey Bennett
Posted: 2/16/09, 3:25 AM EST Section: News
Syracuse University is reaching out to its neighbors on the South Side with a computer cluster, a networking academy and a community Internet service provider. The project, called the Salina Electronic Village, is part of the South Side Initiative, a program to revitalize Syracuse's South Side.
"The university is very lucky to have the access to computers that it does," said Murali Venkatesh, an associate professor in the School of Information Studies. "But not everyone is quite as lucky as we are."
Venkatesh said the project will start with improving job prospects and Internet connections in a six-block area between the Beauchamp Branch Library and the South Side Renovation Center.
Venkatesh began thinking up this project two years ago and said his inspiration came from his own experiences living in Section 8 housing - subsidized housing for lower-income families and individuals - in Massachusetts.
"There really are no opportunities to learn and grow in that type of situation," Venkatesh said.
As a result, he developed a program in which the residents not only have access to more computers, but also the opportunity to take classes and learn about technology. The first prong of his plan, an information technology academy, has already been implemented.
"A computer cluster is a good start," Venkatesh said. "But without the opportunity to learn more, it won't really change anything."
Beginning in early October, 11 South Side residents, as well as seven residents from other parts of Syracuse, began taking technology classes as part of the academy. The classes are held twice a week for six months at University College and are taught by members of the Center for Business Information Technologies' staff.
"We are trying to provide people with a profession, not just a job," Venkatesh said. "Working at McDonald's is a job, but IT can be a profession."
Students learn about repairing computer hardware, networking, communicating with people and the skills needed to become a personal computer support technician.
"The university is very lucky to have the access to computers that it does," said Murali Venkatesh, an associate professor in the School of Information Studies. "But not everyone is quite as lucky as we are."
Venkatesh said the project will start with improving job prospects and Internet connections in a six-block area between the Beauchamp Branch Library and the South Side Renovation Center.
Venkatesh began thinking up this project two years ago and said his inspiration came from his own experiences living in Section 8 housing - subsidized housing for lower-income families and individuals - in Massachusetts.
"There really are no opportunities to learn and grow in that type of situation," Venkatesh said.
As a result, he developed a program in which the residents not only have access to more computers, but also the opportunity to take classes and learn about technology. The first prong of his plan, an information technology academy, has already been implemented.
"A computer cluster is a good start," Venkatesh said. "But without the opportunity to learn more, it won't really change anything."
Beginning in early October, 11 South Side residents, as well as seven residents from other parts of Syracuse, began taking technology classes as part of the academy. The classes are held twice a week for six months at University College and are taught by members of the Center for Business Information Technologies' staff.
"We are trying to provide people with a profession, not just a job," Venkatesh said. "Working at McDonald's is a job, but IT can be a profession."
Students learn about repairing computer hardware, networking, communicating with people and the skills needed to become a personal computer support technician.
Be the first to comment on this story