Augusta State University students returning to campus Aug. 20 will find new computers.

''We are trying a new approach to delivering technology - e-study areas,'' said Kathy Schofe, director of public relations. ''The concept is to install computers and technology where the students are, be it in the cafeteria, a lounge area or elsewhere. This is in contrast to our traditional computer lab or library resources.''

The Augusta State University student lounge has new computers. Computers were placed in areas throughout the school this semester to make them more accessible to students. STAFF

Ms. Schofe said an e-study area has been created on the second floor of Washington Hall's student center, in a space formerly used as a TV room. Eight networked computers and a laser printer are available.

Plans are under way to open an Internet Cafe during fall semester in the cafeteria of Washington Hall. About five computers will be installed so that students can surf the Internet, check e-mail or type reports while in the cafeteria, Ms. Schofe said.

Other new or improved technological features at the school include:

Upgrades to computer labs in the Writing Center, the InfoSquare (in Reese Library) and the third floor of the library.

The purchase of three laptops, which students can check out from the library.

A new presentation cart that students may check out and use in the library for developing and testing presentations.

A new Writing Center Instructional Station.

Three digital cameras available for checkout from Media Services.

TUITION: When fall semester rolls around, tuition usually rises. For students at Augusta State University, the increase will be a minor one.

A full-time undergraduate student (12 or more semester hours) who is a resident of Georgia will pay $1,141 in tuition this fall, up from $1,113 last fall - an increase of $28.

Additional fees will remain the same. These include a student service fee of $40, an athletic fee of $94, a technology fee of $38 and a transportation fee of $3.

Undergraduate Georgia residents taking fewer than 12 semester hours will pay $81 per hour, in addition to the other fees.

Katherine Sweeney, Augusta State's registrar and director of admissions, said all indications are that enrollment should be good for the fall semester (which runs from Aug. 20 to Dec. 5), though the school won't know for sure until registration is completed. Recent semesters have seen declines in enrollment.

"Applications are up for this fall over last fall, and our early orientation sessions for new students have been very well attended this summer," Ms. Sweeney said.

These sessions allowed students to have small-group orientation and register for their classes.

WELCOME WEEK: Augusta State is planning a Week of Welcome for new and returning students from Aug. 19 to 24. Ms. Shofe said the week will start with a new-student orientation, during which students can learn about campus resources and attend brief workshops on subjects such as study skills.

Activities planned for the week include a pep rally, cookout and SOS day, when students can learn about campus clubs and organizations.

Returning students may also notice that the campus looks a little different. Over the summer the old guardhouse, which housed campus public safety and stood at the Walton Way entrance, was torn down.

Public safety is now in the back of the school, off Arsenal Avenue, next to the entrance to the new science building.

Handicap access ramps have been added to Benet House and Rains Hall, and the buildings have undergone some restoration.

"The bricks were never fired, so they just sort of turn to sand. So we are having to go in and do all kinds of restoration work on these arsenal buildings," said Kathy Hamrick, special coordinator of academic and master planning.

Ms. Hamrick said that construction of Allgood Hall should wrap up in January, with classes scheduled to begin in the new building in the summer.

The Phase II project, which will build a classroom building similar in size to Allgood Hall and widen the entrance to the school, should go out for bid in September, with construction beginning in November or December. The new classroom building will be between Reese Library and Walton Way.

Ms. Hamrick said construction will take about two years.

Also insideFor information about University of South Carolina Aiken, Paine College, Troy State University, Aiken Technical College and Augusta Technical College, see Pages 7-9.