MSU Computer Lab's new name reflects expanded mission

In 1956, MSU entered the world of digital computing with the creation of the MSU Computer Laboratory. Within a year the lab had built one of the earliest large-scale digital computers, MISTIC.

In the nearly five decades since, the world of computing has changed dramatically, with the rise of desktop and handheld computers, and the increasing importance of the campus network. Those changes have altered and expanded the Computer Lab’s mission. To better reflect the department’s mission and the services it offers, the unit has been renamed Academic Computing and Network Services (ACNS).

“The name ‘Computer Laboratory’ or ‘Computer Lab’ made sense in past years when we built mainframes and wrote our own operating systems,” said Tom Davis, director. “Over the past 15 to 20 years, our role has steadily evolved, as we took a central role in managing the campus network and providing a variety of computing services.”

The new name was chosen after extensive discussions with staff, customers, and other units in Libraries, Computing and Technology. MSU President Peter McPherson approved the name change in February.

In addition to managing the campus network and the university’s Internet links, ACNS provides general computing help desk services; operates the MSU Computer Store; runs the campus e-mail, network ID and file storage services; repairs computers and designs networks, develops Web sites, databases, and applications programs; provides shared and co-located server hosting; runs a technical training program; operates 50 instructional microcomputer labs; provides campus test-scoring services; handles network security and abuse issues; and, jointly with University Relations, operates MSU’s main Web presence.

A new Web site will soon be launched at www.acns.msu.edu

Copyright 2001 Michigan State University Division of University Relations.