Wherever this article is read, there’s probably going to be a computer within quick walking distance. Chances are this article will at some point be read online. The moment a student gets within a couple feet of the Student Union Building entrance, the doors part ways for entry.
Computer science and technology is all around us.
Meanwhile, the Computer Science and Technology Club (CSAT) are meeting at the Molstead Library computer lab every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. CSAT are aware of the frequency of science around us every day, and they have reflected this with the frequency of student activities they are going to host.
CSAT President Hunter Gilroy, 20, St. Maries, Computer Science, is not a stranger to the club’s activity.
“You hear, ‘Oh, computer science people, they just sit in the dark corner and they type all day and they don’t do anything,’” Gilroy said. “But I just want people to know that we’re here on campus, and we’re an entity, and they can come to us and join us and be a part of this.”
The club plans to host a workshop on computer viruses, a presentation by MousePaw Games CEO Jason C. McDonald titled the “Field Guide to Common Nerds” on September 23, and a family-centric CGI short-film festival. The club is also discussing other event possibilities.
Thus far this semester, the club has installed UNITY software in the Molstead Library computer lab; game creation programming used by Blizzard in the making of online game “Hearthstone.” They are also becoming familiar with interactive hardware microcontroller Arduino, and are hoping to get more software installed in the library.
But the club isn’t all about showing off technical prowess.
“We’re not geniuses, we’re far from it,” Gilroy said.
There are no scientific requirements to have fun or participate in the club. CSAT Secretary Tyler Rankin, 20, Hemet, General Studies, said that the club is seeking out a diverse membership: from business majors interested in business applications to web designers, and from gamers to musicians. The club is also open to the community.
“The only thing we’ve got on our backs is determination,” Rankin said. “We really want to learn and have people learn with us. And not in a way like a lecture style, but in a way that you’re excited.”
Rankin created a game over summer titled “Don’t Click” that is available to play on gamejolt.com. He said the game is flawed and that he is looking for constructive feedback.
“I really don’t think NIC will be able to talk the trash that I’ve heard about the game online already,” Rankin said.
CSAT Vice President Erik Satren, 26, Watsonville, Mechanical Engineering said this semester the club has already welcomed three or four students to meetings who had no previous interest in computers. Satren himself didn’t know anything about programming when he joined. Both Rankin and Gilroy were admittedly not proficient either.
“I not only look forward to these people to learn new skills that’ll obtain jobs, but also see how they grow as people,” Rankin said.
For more information about the Computer Science and Technology Club, CSAT adviser Shelley Cobetto’s contact information is available online.
Cobetto said, “Whatever your interest is, if it has to do with computers, this is the group to go to.”
