ECN in MSEE

Until the Materials and Electrical Engineering building opened in 1988 the Engineering Computer Network moved from various locations within Electrical Engineering. The machine rooms in MSEE were built with ECN in mind and once everyone moved in the work atmosphere shifted dramatically.

The new layout centralizes staff and facilitates communication and a positive working environment better than when the workers were spread out around campus. Engineering site specialists continue to be located in and serve a specific engineering school while the majority of ECN central employees can be found on the first floor of MSEE.

For more information on how ECN moved from the EE building to MSEE, check out the archived No Name Newsletters from 1988.

The Great Computer Move, May 1988
The GREAT Summer Moves, September 1988

MSEE's floor plan is a testament to the changing times for several reasons, one of which is the number and location of woman's restrooms. When ECN was located in the EE building, one of the first things that women employees did was search out the few restrooms available to them (some of which were converted closets in random locations). When MSEE opened, the women of ECN instantly noticed and appreciated the signs that there were more women in engineering than in previous years.

After a time in the 104 hallway during the spring of 2008 many members moved back to the offices in the 150 hallway and to this day the main staff continues to work on the first floor of MSEE. The offices of employees in specific organizational groups are closely collected and the corresponding student employees are in the same area.