Students from Ball State University can enter the iPod Shuffle giveaway, sponsored by Advocates for Student Technology (AST) and University Computing Services (UCS), by logging onto a computer from any of the UCS computer labs around campus.

"It's a very simple process," said Fred Nay, director of UCS. "Once you've logged onto a computer, just click on the 'Enter to Win' graphic, and submit your registration."

Students are able to register every hour from any of the 17 UCS computer labs around campus. By having a monthly giveaway, Nay hopes more students will utilize the labs and take advantage of their cutting-edge technology.

"As long as money is being contributed to AST, the program will continue every month indefinitely," said Nay. "We feel this is a valuable and fun technology service to students."

Last month, Kellie Johnson was the first student to hit the iPod Shuffle jackpot. She registered several times in different labs but was not expecting to win.

"I didn't have an iPod because they're pretty expensive, so I was very excited and surprised to find out that I had won," Johnson said.

As new digital toys emerge, the giveaway may not always include an iPod Shuffle, but Nays says students can be sure that it will be something technical as well as fashionable.

The iPods were purchased with money donated to AST, a foundation started by UCS staff. UCS is hopeful more faculty and staff will contribute to the fund to help foster awareness and usage of technology within the computing labs on campus. Anyone wanting to contribute to the AST fund can make checks payable to Ball State University, listing Account 1604 in the memo. For a listing of UCS computer lab locations and more information about UCS, go to www.bsu.edu/ucs.

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Nay at fnay@bsu.edu or (765) 748-1934.)