Following an outcry from the University community, the Office of Information Technology and Communication released a revised plan for phasing out off-Grounds dial-up Internet connections last week.
The original plan, announced in January, called for the immediate elimination of low-speed dial-up lines and consideration of cutting high-speed lines at the end of the semester. These lines allow free Internet access to all students, staff and faculty living off Grounds.
After conferring with students and faculty upset with the plan, ITC released a revision which will maintain access to all lines through June 1, when the infrequently used low-speed connections will be removed. High-speed lines will stay in place through the 2002-2003 academic year, though they only will be available to students. Access also will be limited to University Web-based resources such as e-mail and Toolkit.
In 2002-2003, the Office of Student Financial Services will figure in the cost of paying for Internet service for undergraduates receiving financial aid and living off Grounds.
"This allows for a phased reduction so students don't immediately have to look for paid alternatives for things they need," said Chip German, ITC director of policy and strategic planning. "They will not be cut off completely."
Involved University groups expressed approval of the change.
"I understand that folks need to be able to dial in," said Chemistry Prof. Charles Grisham, chief technology officer for the College. "I understand too that ITC has constantly increasing costs and they have to make a choice."
The issue stems from ITC's inability to provide comprehensive coverage to the growing number of students interested in dial-up service. Funding for this service comes out of ITC's general budget, a pool that faces increasing strain every year.
Now that more students and faculty members use the service, ITC hardware is insufficient to meet the demand. Internet users attempting to access dial-up services frequently encounter busy signals, and ITC can do little to fix the problem.
"They could increase the number of modems they have two or threefold and still not solve the problem," Grisham said.
ITC made the decision, as many universities have, to stop providing dial-up service, encouraging students to purchase low-cost service from consumer Internet Service Providers.
"The University decided to get out of the business of providing this service, which is widely available" commercially, German said.
"We can't provide it well," he added. "The best answer is to let the people who specialize in this, the ISPs, provide it."
Though switching to private ISPs will solve a major problem for the University and improve service for students, it will increase the cost of living for students and faculty. For students receiving financial aid, this new expense now will be covered, and for others, including faculty, there are low cost options.
"I am sorry for users but I understand the economics of it, it's a tough call," Grisham said. "For most it will be easier to get a Cornerstone account with a U.Va. discount for $9.95 a month."
By cutting the dial-up service, ITC will be able to put more money toward other aspects of their coverage, such as expanding University bandwidth.
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