As of next fall, you should be able to avoid NYU computer labs almost entirely. “Virtual computer labs” will allow you to access NYU-owned programs from Microsoft Word to SPSS from your home computer via a VCL connection to the school’s network, reports WSN.

Though next fall isn’t feeling particularly nearby, ITS is currently modifying their licenses with software vendors so that they’ll extend to our laptops once the virtual labs are up and running. From there, NYU hopes to slowly downsize their inefficient, enormous computer labs.

Don’t know about you, but we’re excited about this from both a geeky and an economic point of view. Most of the specialized programs some of us need to use for various classes are painfully expensive. We don’t mind waiting a few months if it means not having to agonize over that purchase anymore. On a more important level, the less time we clock in those fluorescent-lit labs, the better. It’s pretty much impossible to look good in those conditions.