Dorm phone service to cease
Cell phone use cited as cause; $100 fee to keep phone
By: Lauren Clark
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News
The Residence Life and Housing office has decided to end the service of private phone lines in all university housing in an effort to save money to prepare for upgrading a more efficient campus phone system.
The phone lines will stay connected until after fall break when students who wish to keep their lines may pay $100 dollars that will allow them to make local phone calls and set up a voice mailbox.
"The process is really still being finalized, but we will make sure to give students plenty of time to make their decisions on what they want," said Interim Chief Information Officer Carol Smith.
As students rely more on their cell phones, the use of the phone lines in student rooms has drastically declined, Smith said.
"Only a small percentage of students use the phone lines, so by [turning off the phone lines and charging only those who want the service] will allow us to reduce some of the resources and energies that we currently have to put in to maintain the lines," Smith said. "This will give the opportunity to quantify an accurate account of how many people will need the phones in the future and it will enable us, over time, to achieve some savings."
Residence Life and Housing has been receiving mostly supportive feedback, but from the small population of students who actually use the phone lines they are not entirely pleased with the upcoming changes.
"I understand that it's a lot of money going to waste, but at the same time I won't be able to make a local call now without being charged by my cell phone company because my phone is from out of state. The student phones were just really convenient," said junior Nikki Miyasato.
Some students expressed concerns about not being informed about the upcoming changes.
"Nobody really notified us, but I have a cell phone so it does not really make a difference for me, but for some international students I know it is hard for them. They should have given more notice for the people who do take advantage of the phone lines," said sophomore Rika Banerji.
"I'm sure there will still be a lot of questions and we'll need to be proactive in making sure people have the alternatives available to them," Smith said.
The Residence Life and Housing office will release more details in coming weeks.
The phone lines will stay connected until after fall break when students who wish to keep their lines may pay $100 dollars that will allow them to make local phone calls and set up a voice mailbox.
"The process is really still being finalized, but we will make sure to give students plenty of time to make their decisions on what they want," said Interim Chief Information Officer Carol Smith.
As students rely more on their cell phones, the use of the phone lines in student rooms has drastically declined, Smith said.
"Only a small percentage of students use the phone lines, so by [turning off the phone lines and charging only those who want the service] will allow us to reduce some of the resources and energies that we currently have to put in to maintain the lines," Smith said. "This will give the opportunity to quantify an accurate account of how many people will need the phones in the future and it will enable us, over time, to achieve some savings."
Residence Life and Housing has been receiving mostly supportive feedback, but from the small population of students who actually use the phone lines they are not entirely pleased with the upcoming changes.
"I understand that it's a lot of money going to waste, but at the same time I won't be able to make a local call now without being charged by my cell phone company because my phone is from out of state. The student phones were just really convenient," said junior Nikki Miyasato.
Some students expressed concerns about not being informed about the upcoming changes.
"Nobody really notified us, but I have a cell phone so it does not really make a difference for me, but for some international students I know it is hard for them. They should have given more notice for the people who do take advantage of the phone lines," said sophomore Rika Banerji.
"I'm sure there will still be a lot of questions and we'll need to be proactive in making sure people have the alternatives available to them," Smith said.
The Residence Life and Housing office will release more details in coming weeks.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
depauw alumna
posted 9/05/08 @ 2:27 PM EST
I'm sorry, but that's probably the stupidest thing I've heard come out of DePauw since I graduated. I realize that most students use cell phones to call their parents, hometown friends, etc. (Continued…)
DePauw Alumna
posted 9/10/08 @ 3:17 PM EST
I get it, catrina, it's all about the budget. While I think $100 is ludicrous to keep a phone line (how about $25?) I get *why* DPU is discontinuing them. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 9/22/08 @ 7:13 AM EST
This article fails to mention that the university worked hard to put in place additional financial incentives for students to have cell phones. There is a 10% monthly service discount for student cell phone plans through AT&T. (Continued…)
Answering service
posted 10/30/08 @ 12:58 PM EST
What??? Are they even allowed to do this? I find it hard to believe this, those students need to take attitude to this because I think someone crossed the line here. (Continued…)
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