In an effort to ease its computer billing methods, the University's Information Technology Division decided to sacrifice student choice. Starting in January, ITD will give all students a comprehensive computing package that provides certain limits to basic computing services per term, the package provides 120 pages of printing, 80 hours of dial-in access and five megabytes of IFS storage space. These rigid standards are not acceptable - students should be able to prioritize their computing funds' allocation to reflect their individual needs.
Presently, ITD gives users $10 per month to spend on computing services. English concentrators, for example, often print hundreds of pages per term and may opt to use the majority of their allocation for printing. Students with computers at home who wish to dial-in to University servers have the opportunity to use most of their funds for this service. Under the new plan, these choices will be eliminated - users will be given services they may not use and will have to pay extra for printing or dial-in services that they now get for free.
Currently, ITD cuts off computing privileges for students whose account balance drops below zero. Users may need to print a few extra pages at the end of the month and must add money to their account to do so. But it is abominable to charge a $25 minimum to open a self-funded account for what may amount to less than a dollar of additional services. ITD's new policy addresses this concern by billing student accounts for all services that exceed the service package.
It is imperative for ITD to inform students of the changes in their billing policy. The University bills residence housing and tuition costs on student accounts, and unexpected ITD charges could be an undue financial burden for many students. ITD has plans to inform students via e-mail or personal letter before their account will be charged. But currently, many computer users do not even know what an account balance is until they get a message that they have run out of funds. ITD must do a better job of informing computing users of the cost of services - and should make it simple for users to regularly check their account balance.
The Michigan Student Assembly, at the urging of LSA Rep. Barry Rosenberg and Engineering Rep. Mark Dub, recently formed an ITD student issues committee. As students increasingly rely on computers, the University should give ITD more money to provide their much-needed services. Under this premise, the committee plans to urge the University to include a larger package of computing services free with tuition. Moreover, Dub and Rosenberg are incensed that the new package will include only 120 pages of printing per term, a scant 30 pages per month. Many students exceed this amount regularly, and the committee will push to raise the allocation. MSA must make sure the committee fills its intended role as a liaison between the student body and ITD.
ITD's new computing package simplifies billing practices, but at the same time it eliminates student's flexibility. ITD should consider offering a number of packages that address students with different needs. They must also do a better job informing users of their computing privileges. Computing access is essential to student life on campus - ITD must make sure their services remain available to all students.
11-17-97
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