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Google can't find GCC's main campus in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Anyone searching to find directions to Genesee Community College's main campus in Batavia are advised to avoid using the online Google Maps utility. Despite many attempts by the College to have Google correct the problem, Google Maps continues to direct visitors trying to reach GCC's main campus to the College's Albion Campus Center located 30 miles north of Batavia in Orleans County.

"We have contacted Google multiple times to rectify this problem and are continuously told that it takes weeks for their algorithm to correct misguided directions. In addition, Google claims its tech support cannot manually intervene to remedy the problem," said Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications.

"It's been incredibly frustrating and also rather dangerous. Buses of athletic teams, performing artists and potential students have all gone 60 miles out of their way traveling in haste back down Route 98, which is often very blustery with poor visibility during the winter months."

The problem has been an ongoing for approximately a year with short periods of time when Google Maps accurately listed the Batavia Campus, but currently the right side panel posts a map and information to the Albion Campus Center without even mentioning the main campus is in Batavia. Google's proprietary software uses unique algorithms to provide mapping information automatically. Unknowing visitors are logically following Google's posted directions without clicking through to find the right campus and its proper location.

Sutherland recommends Web searchers utilize MapQuest and the College's Maps and Directions Web page available at: http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps/ This gives users door- to-door directions to any campus location and also explicit directions to the main campus in Batavia.

"Most other online utilities are able to find us perfectly, but with Google's ongoing problem we strongly advise people to steer clear of using Google Maps to find GCC."

Kyle Couchman

OMG Lori....you didnt see the tone and inflection in your post. I thought you were gonna stab me in the eye as the period for the punctuation on that last sentence. I'm surprised ya didn't get this months negative vote record. (By the way that was sarcasm) LOL

Jan 27, 2014, 2:59pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

If you just search "Genesee Community College" or "Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY" ... it takes you to the Albion location.

Adding 14020 takes you to the Batavia location.

Jan 27, 2014, 3:42pm Permalink
Joshua Pacino

Lori,

That must have been me ... I thought I hit positive vote but must have hit the wrong one (my phone is tiny and my fingers are not).

Sorry!

Jan 27, 2014, 4:21pm Permalink
Lori Silvernail

o.k., Joshua, I take back the "sad pathetic little troll" comment, lol. My excuse is always my cataracts. And Kyle, I get my share of thumbs down, but this one just threw me! At least my marathon therapy session this afternoon after the diss, helped my general self-esteem (no, I'm not serious).

Howard, it's funny that when I put 14020, it still took me to the Albion map! I only remembered the 14021 because I spent a couple of years there and there was always mail back and forth!

Jan 27, 2014, 6:20pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I wouldn't know about thumbs down I don't think I ever noticed getting any LOL... Mardell I'm not sure what PO Boxes have to do with GCC I just think this is some kind of internet wizardry that GCC uses to evade the NSA's datamining .... Now excuse me while I go to Dollar General and get a few more rolls of tin foil :)

Jan 27, 2014, 8:13pm Permalink

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