MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- After more than a year of planning, the Joint Education Center at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, in partnership with the island of Oahu's Hawaii Pacific University and the other schools that service the base, opened a new computer lab Nov. 15 in Bldg. 219.
The lab is open seven days a week for students, service members, DoD civilians and family members. All of the machines have high-speed Internet access.
The new facility, along with a word processing lab across the courtyard, offers a valuable resource for students to complete research projects and other assignments. The Joint Education Center also has other plans in the works.
"We're looking to get the most out of the computer lab, and one of the things we're working on is bringing online CLEP testing to the base," said Loretta Cornett-Huff, base education officer. "We're also considering offering computer training courses here."
In addition to high-speed Internet access, the computers boast a solid lineup of the latest applications. Windows XP, Microsoft Office Professional, Visual Basic 6, Visual C++, and Visual J++, among others, offer the tools most students need to succeed in their studies.
Since HPU paid for the machines, software and installation, HPU students have priority when the lab is full. Chaminade University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Wayland Baptist University, which are also aboard K-Bay, support the lab with funds for the high-speed Internet access and computer lab monitors. Students of those schools have priority next.
The lab is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The lab is closed on holidays, and may have reduced hours when school is not in session.