Announce of DEC Grant - 1984

Computers, Software Total $600,000
College Receives Digital Grant

The College of Business Administration is receiving computers and supporting systems worth $600,000 from Digital Equipment Corporation under a matching grant agreement announced by CBA Dean John Stinson during winter term.

Digital's gift indudes a VAX 11/780 small mainframe computer, 52 Rainbow microcomputers, ALL-IN-1 information system and office workstations.

Forty of the microcomputers and the VAX 11/780 will equip a new instructional laboratory for business administration students which will open fall quarter. It will be the second computer lab housed in the college.

Additional equipment in the grant includes 12 microcomputers for faculty and staff use. The college also received a DECtalk, a text-to-speech system that enables computers to talk.

Dr. James Perotti, a management professor specializing in management information systems, played an instrumental role in acquiring the equipment and software. Described by CBA Dean John Stinson as an "exemplary faculty entrepreneur," Perotti wrote the proposal that DEC funded and worked closely with DEC in configuring the system.

"The VAX and associated systems enable us to teach the latest techniques in data base management systems and various approaches to information automation," Perotti says. "This will give our students the most advanced preparation available for working in today's business world."

Robert C. Hughes, vice president and group manager of Digital's business and office systems marketing, said, "As the world's second largest computer manufacturer, Digital is concerned with the availability of trained business and computer professionals. When we encounter an inovative institution, such as Ohio University's College of business Administration, we want to help them pursue educational excellence."

The new equipment and the Rainbow laboratory, combined with the college's existing computer lab, gives the college one of the most complete and advanced computer instructional facilities in the country, according to Dean Stinson.

Installation of the lab will take place during the summer. The Rainbow lab will be located in Copeland Hall's ground floor across from the present CBA computer facility.

A fund-raising drive to collect matching dollars for the Digital's $300,000 gift will begin this summer, according to Stinson.

Ohio University President Charles Ping meets Ctalk, a text-to-speech computer demonstrated by Mary Ann Fitzhugh as Robert C. Hughes, Digital Equipment Corpoation's vice president and group manager of business and office systems marketing, looks on.	Dr. Marmo Soemarmo, left, of the linguistics department, and Dr. Joseph E. Essman, associate dean in the College of Engineering, watch Dr. James Perotti put DECtalk through its paces.