Washington University Affordable Internet

The "Bundled Service Package" described online at http://sts.wustl.edu/files/services.pdf is nothing short of shameful. This "service" from the newly-renamed Student Technology Services REQUIRES students to purchase cable TV in order to use wired or wireless internet services, restricts access to residential computer labs (which were previously free for all residents) to students who purchase the package, and NEARLY DOUBLES the already outrageous cost of internet services to $240 per-semester for students who live on campus. As if that were not reprehensible enough, STS is offering this as a one-shot packaged deal: a student who wants ANY internet access in a residential area has no choice but to purchase the entire package.

In the 21st century, student access to the internet is an imperative part of every student's education. The use of ERes instead of photocopying to distribute classroom materials, file sharing and discussion boards on Telesis, and online databases provided by the library are among the many ways that Washington University students use and rely on the internet in
their studies. To restrict access to the internet in students' "homes" by making it cost-prohibitive is contrary to the university's educational mission and its obligation to the student body.

We demand residential internet policies that fulfill the needs of WashU students. To that end, we recommend that the following actions, which we consider to be the minimum necessary for the school to adequately serve the student body, be taken immediately so that they can be in place for the 2007-2008 school year:
* require Student Technology Services to offer multiple package options so students can purchase the services they need (for example, wired and wireless internet without cable TV) at an affordable price,
* make residence hall computer labs available 24/7 to all students, regardless of whether they have purchased in-room internet service from STS, and
* improve the availability and signal strength of the wireless network so that it is accessible from all classroom buildings on the Danforth Campus.