New phone line policy implemented
A single phone line policy was recently introduced to students living in residence halls. The policy was implemented in hopes of cutting back expenses and preventing an increase in rates of living expenses in the halls.
Dr. Paul Jahr, director of University Housing, said this was necessary because landlines are becoming more obsolete.
“When we did check-ins in the August of 2005, we asked for the students’ cell phone numbers. Out of 1200 and some odd students living in the residence halls, all but 20 had cell phones. Furthermore, we found out that when professors asked for contact information the students rarely gave their dorm numbers.”
Students were informed of the change last semester and adjustments for this semester were made fairly quickly.
Katey Follett, a freshman and Adams Hall resident, is among the majority who did not have much use of the land lines.
“I never really used it and I don’t give it out as contact information,” Follett said. “The only time I think that I used the dorm phone was when my friend’s cell phone was taken away and that was the only way I could get in touch with her.”
Jahr said there have been virtually no complaints since the change was made, partly because most people understand that the change is cost effective.
“I don’t think anyone is particularly missing the phones,” Jahr said. “I believe that many students probably do not even have a phone plugged-in in the first place.”
Erin Colie, a Parkhurst Hall resident, said she thinks the change is resourceful.
“There really is no need to have multiple phone lines when everyone has a cell phone,” Colie said. “I don’t know many people who actually use the dorm phones to talk to each other, so if it’s going to prevent our housing rates from going up then I think it’s a good idea.”
Jahr said when a student pays for housing at the beginning of the semester, a monthly charge that is incorporated with the payment.
“By reducing the number of active landlines it helps us by not having to raise rates on housing,” Jahr said. “Cost increases will then not have to come as quickly.”
However, a disadvantage to the new phone system is that it costs professors money to reach students on their cell phones if they need to.
Jahr said professors generally contact students by E-mail, though. “We implement that the school E-mail be the primary contact between the students and the faculty,” Jahr said. “However, we are well aware that students keep multiple e-mail accounts such as that of Yahoo, AOL and G-mail. We want students to make use of their school e-mail so we save time and money trying to call their cell phones.”
Some of the phone lines that were removed from the residence halls are being utilized or “recycled.” The recycled numbers will be used when Bell Hall is reopened after renovations. Those that are not be used will go back to Alltel, the university landline provider, and will be reused.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 24 2006. Filed under News.
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