NEWS RELEASE

Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2005

Contact: Eric Gerber
713.743.8189 (office)
713.617.7130(pager)
egerber@uh.edu

NET RESULTS: UH VOLUNTEERS TO HELP INSTALL COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
AT THIRD WARD’S EAST SIDE UNIVERSITY VILLAGE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER

Volunteers from the University of Houston’s Information Technology department, the College of Technology and the Cullen College of Engineering will help install an array of computer equipment at the East Side University Village Community Learning Center (ESUVCLC) on Saturday, May 7. The event is being called “Net Day.”

The equipment – which includes 42 desktop computers, laser printers, digital projectors and a server – were purchased with a major portion of the $100,000 SBC grant that UH awarded to the Third Ward center in 2004. These new acquisitions represent a major upgrade in ESUVCLC’s information technology.

“We’re delighted to help this wonderful center – and our Third Ward neighbor -- take another important step forward,” said Betty J. Roberts, associate vice president of technology support services at UH.

Formed as an extension of the South East Houston Community Development Corporation by Pastor Manson B. Johnson II, of Holman Street Baptist Church, ESUVCLC assists low to moderate income inner-city residents of all ages and backgrounds in upgrading their academic and life skills. It is quartered in four renovated row houses at 3614 Holman (across from the church) with 3,600 square feet of classroom and office space. Courses offered include GED Preparation, English as a Second Language, Basic Computer Skills, MS Word, MS Excel and Exploring the Internet.

Along with the UH personnel, the “Net Day” installation crew will include Rice University students and staff volunteers from ESUVCLC’s corporate supporters, including Hewlett-Packard, SBC, Microsoft and Triumph Cabling. Also assisting will be Technology for All, a non-profit group that provides technology for under-served communities.

For more information about ESUVCLC, visit the Web site http://www.esuvclc.com.

WHAT:   “Net Day” – computer installation event

WHEN:   9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 7

WHERE: East Side University Village Community Learning Center, 3614 Holman

WHO:    University of Houston’s College of Technology, Cullen College of Engineering and the Information               Technology department

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.