Ever wonder where the final resting place for Penn State computers is?

221B HUB-Robeson Center, at least for the lucky few that will go on to a better place.

OD Ntuk, president of the Computer Hardware Initiative Project (CHIP), is one of a few students who use their free time to fix computers to donate to worthy causes.

CHIP found its roots in an off-campus computer-recycling program that was having its funding cut. To save it, students brought it to the attention of the Schreyer Honors College (SHC).

"This was something I wanted to keep going, and the SHC was receptive," said Penn State graduate Eric Hough, one of the founding members of CHIP.

From 2000 to 2003, CHIP operated out of the basement of Simmons Hall, and the organization moved to the HUB about a year ago.

CHIP arranges donations through its Web site, web.shc.psu.edu/~chip/. People donate broken computers, and once fixed, CHIP donates them to people in need.

In order to receive a renovated computer, the recipient must fill out a form on the Web site detailing his or her need for the rebuilt computer from CHIP.

"Sometimes people want computers for arbitrary reasons, and we just don't have enough to do that," Ntuk said.

CHIP doesn't charge to fix the computers, nor are the workers paid, he said.

"We have three people on the board and about 10 other students who volunteer," Ntuk said of the project.

Right now CHIP is looking for a professional scrapper to melt the metal and reuse it, Ntuk said.

One of CHIP's struggles is finding dedicated students to fix the broken computers, Hough said.

"It's hard to find regular volunteers," he said. "We'll have someone interested and working, then we won't see them for a month."

So far this year, CHIP has fixed and donated about 50 computers, compared to the 20 to 30 computers they completed and donated to students last year, Ntuk said.

CHIP member Mike DeBole (junior-computer engineering) said that he wants to stay involved with CHIP after he graduates and begins looking for work.

"I could help start [similar organizations] at other schools," DeBole said.

Another CHIP member, Tshepo Tsheko (senior-computer science) said he enjoys the business side of the group.

"This is my first step to Michael Dell status," Tsheko said. "I see myself fixing and donating computers in the future, as well as giving financial support."

In 2001, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded CHIP with the Waste Watchers Award, given by The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP).

According to PROP's Web site, www.proprecycles.org, the award functions as an "opportunity to showcase the creative recycling and waste reduction efforts of public and private organizations throughout the commonwealth."

Ntuk said that he also wants to enter CHIP into Visa's ideashappen.com contest.

He said that they can win a prize that is worth up to $25,000 in the charity category of the credit card company's online competition.

"My vision for the money, if we win, is to branch out into other areas," including donating used eyeglasses and textbooks, he said.