College is a time for exploration and discovery, in other words, severe self-doubt. I’ve only ever been to small public schools, around 400 kids each. There, I had homeroom teachers who told me my classes and handed out forms, and counselors who emailed us directly about external opportunities, without me having to find them. But as a college student, all that responsibility lies on ourselves. My parents, who used to ask my teachers the questions, now can’t even legally talk to the administration in my stead. Left isolated in an unknown environment, how could I get to know, what I should know?
Well, surprisingly it’s actually relatively easy, once enough motivation is built up at least. While it is true that college is higher education and the expectations placed upon students’ self-reliance are expected, ultimately we are still students. Problems that students face are perpetual, monetary, physical, emotional, mental, etc. Essentially, what makes a resource useful is the quantity of demand for that particular service.
Out of the 5 classes that I attend, only one does not require the use of technology. Whether it be due to the readings posted online or websites where the homework is assigned, without access to my devices I wouldn’t be able to do many things comfortably, or at all. While I have the privilege of having a laptop, some others may not be allowed the same. Especially due to recent times, when a computer chip shortage is occurring, buying laptops isn’t so simple. This is why the resource that I will be discussing in particular is Hunter College’s Audio Visual Department, A/V Dept.
Located in the North building, in a corner on the left, next to the staircase, right after coming off the sky bridge from the West building, room 333N. It is very easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Don’t let the name or directions intimidate you from taking advantage of the services that they provide. If people want to contact them in other ways then their phone line is 212-772-4943 and their email is av_res@hunter.cuny.edu. Of course, there are requirements to allow students the eligibility of borrowing equipment. Including, being a Hunter College student with, a good record, a valid ID and email address as well as another valid photo ID, passport, driver’s license, etc., and then having to sign the liability agreement form (Laptop). Although loaning is free, overdue and any damages will have to be fined and usage is limited to the Hunter College campus unless otherwise stated, alongside certain restrictions on programs. On weekdays, the A/V Dept is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maybe not a primary concern, but other devices that can be borrowed include video playback units, cables, microphones, and recording and audio equipment.
I’ve spoken to people who’ve made use of this resource and they are very fond of the accessibility of it. Some people don’t need devices for the majority of their classes and don’t want to lug one around all day on their backs. A freshman, Mahir Alom, had said that some days he needed a laptop for only “one class” and didn’t find it efficient to bring his own device for that. At the same time, many people I’ve spoken with, or someone they know, borrowed laptops from another Hunter College resource. On the east building’s third floor where the Leon and Toby Cooperman Library is located, there is a help desk where several devices are available (Computers). Of the people I’ve asked, they more often borrow from the library rather than the A/V Dept. There isn’t much of an online presence mentioning the A/V Dept, other than a few comments posted on Reddit, with people recommending loaning the optimal devices for a class rather than using a, not recommended device (Iluvdonuts2). Concurrently, there are also some grateful posts and comments about the resource. Therefore I recommend simply going to the A/V Dept in person.
College, I know, is challenging, the title of higher education being self-explanatory. It may seem like it’s out to get you sometimes but there are also ways you can get college to work for you. It’s merely a matter of finding a method. Struggling to get yourself online and access research databases? Give the A/V Dept a visit, you might find what you’re looking for.
