The changing role of the university computer center (abstract only)

The author first became acquainted with computer centers as a student at the University of Georgia in January of 1961, and has been working with them most of the time in one way or another ever since. The role has drastically changed during this time; in the early years they were the catalyst for most of the computing taking place on the campus; in the middle years, say 1965 - 1975, these centers were losing their power because their expertise was found wanting — no longer could a sophomore discuss the current problems and solutions; in the last ten years many of them have lost their function, but not necessarily their power. The author argues that the role of the computer center is becoming that of the dinosaur, and unless the perception of them changes, they will go the way of same. Further, the author argues that their demise would be a disaster, but that is many of them do not change, they will go — keeping at best, the appearance of being useful.