Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
By Allyssa Schoonover
Reporter
You get to campus for the day when you realize your phone is dead. You have emails to send and lunch plans to coordinate with no way to contact anyone.
This is a first world problem that has plagued many of us at one time or another. San Antonio senior Kimani Mitchell felt compelled to address this inconvenient situation.
Moody Memorial Library currently provides USB chargers for students to check out, but this is the only location on campus that provides this service. Mitchell authored a bill that would add USB check outs to other buildings around campus.
It was presented to the Student Senate Thursday night and passed with a unanimous vote.
“This bill generally expands the service that is already offered in the library,” Mitchell said.
According to the bill, the popularity and usefulness of this USB cord checkout warrants an expansion to academic buildings and the Bill Daniel Student Center.
It will be recommended in buildings that already have computer areas with someone at a desk who could operate the check outs.
This could include, but is not limited to, the SUB, the McLane Student Life Center, the Learning Resource Center and the English Writing Center.
“Depending on the outcome of this bill, we could try to move it to other areas,” Mitchell said when asked by a fellow senator whether they would consider providing cord rentals in the business school or Baylor Sciences Building as well.
Mitchell spoke with Richard Gerik, director of electronic library client services, and David Burns, assistant director of student technology services, about this expansion. They agreed the above mentioned buildings would be a good jumping off point for the additional USB cord check out locations.
“We calculated it would cost roughly $5 per cord,” Mitchell said. “We want to put three of each cord, iPhone and Android, in each of these buildings equaling only about $180. So in relation to other expenses is a pretty low cost.”
The library would provide the initial cords, and then the respective departments would be responsible for any replacements that have to be made.
Library staff said they rarely have cords go missing because students exchange their student ID card for the USB cord.
Mitchell said she sees this service providing students with more charging capabilities, that would in turn make Baylor a more technology-conscious campus.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to clarify that the USB chargers will be available to students for check out. Students will exchange their student ID to check out the cords.
