ResNet service provided to all students in residence halls

Beginning with the 2001-02 academic year, ResNet has been provided automatically for all students living in University Housing's residence halls. All ResNet data jacks are active in students' residence hall rooms--what we call "Universal Access." This change does not affect Greek Court.

All students living in the residence halls will be billed for ResNet at the same time they are billed for their on-campus housing, with the charge showing up on their student account. The fee for ResNet service for 2009-2010 is $90 per semester. The rate will be pro-rated on a daily basis for students moving into or out of the residence halls during the semester.

Much thought went into making the transition to universal ResNet access in the residence halls. During 2000-01, more than 80 percent of all residents subscribed to ResNet. The projected subscriber rate for 2001-02 would have been more than 90 percent if the transition did not take place.

By having all students in the residence halls receive ResNet service we are able to:

• Promote the broadest possible access to high-speed data communications
• Provide better service to students in residence halls
• Reduce the need for more intrusive policing of the network
• Keep costs down
• Pay off current infrastructure debts and prepare for future upgrades.

Information Technology, Communication Technologies (formely NCState.Net and Telecommunications) and University Housing developed a proposal to provide ResNet to all students living in the halls and presented the proposal to the Chancellor and her executive officers on November 7, 2000. On November 9, 2000, the proposal was presented to the Inter-Residence Council, the student organization representing students living in University Housing. Both the chancellor and the IRC gave the proposal a strong endorsement.

If the proposal had been rejected, the cost of ResNet service would have needed to increase significantly, in large part to make sure the few students who had not signed up for service were not getting it. Investing money to prevent access runs counter to the university's intent to provide high-quality service to everyone, as efficiently as possible. It is better to spend our resources promoting access than policing the network to restrict access.