ITD adjusts basic computing services

In response to students' dissatisfaction with the University's computing package, the Information Technology Division has improved its basic computing services.

Starting this semester check this, students will receive 400 pages of free printing - 280 more than last semester. Other notable changes include 10 megabites of institutional file system space and e-mail storage space, five and seven more than last year, respectively.

For students dialing into the University's system, the package offers 100 hours of in-state dial-in time - 20 more than last semester.

"Technology is no longer an option in the successful pursuit of an education - it is a way of life, which students and faculty are demanding be available," said Linda Green, a marketing manager for ITD.

Students, including member's of the Michigan Student Assembly's communications committee, began lobbying ITD last winter to make the changes.

"We convened the student advisory committee to find what students needed to accomplish course goals," said Green.

Students made it very clear winter term that they needed more technology services - specifically increased dial-in time, e-mail file storage space, printing, and IFS space - if they were going to be successful, Green said.

Students and ITD officials then went to the Office of the Provost, which increased its funding when to ITD to pay for the improved services.

Provost Nancy Cantor "is committed to supporting ITD's ability to provide appropriate levels of necessary services and ITD is committed to ensuring levels of reliable services significantly above what ITD was able to provide at the beginning of the year," Green said .

Barry Rosenberg, a former MSA representative who worked on the improvements, said he's "thrilled" with the project's outcome.

"The unlimited off-peak and 100 hours of peak dial-in will help off-campus users," said Rosenberg, a Medical first-year student. "Students will appreciate the tremendous increase in printing limits. And the larger e-mail inbox size of10MB will facilitate the exchange of email attachments."

09-09-98