A recent plan being considered by NIU has our ears ringing in disagreement.

Information Technology Services announced recently it was considering eliminating landline-based phones in residence halls.

Considering most residents don’t use the phones in an era of wireless technology, this move should be applauded. Every semester, residents pay $57 for a phone they most likely put in a drawer or are not around to answer.

ITS, however, said Monday in a Northern Star article that it wants to explore the feasibility of giving every residence hall resident his or her own personal cell phone. We can save them the man hours needed to explore this option by giving them their answer now: no.

While it is notable ITS is exploring ways to save students money, its choices are far out of touch with students’ needs.

ITS admitted in the same Star article, for example, that once cell phones are distributed and returned, they are in such poor condition they are not able to be re-used.

The logistics needed to support such a project – including funding for theft, loss and inventory control of the phones – do not, at this time, justify the cost.

On the flip side, not having a residence hall phone means one less bill to pay each semester, but some students prefer the idea of not having a phone and not being reachable.

Another logistical issue includes whether students would have to carry around two cell phones at one time; one for their personal use and one for their residence hall.

Admittedly, calls from room-to-room and to all “753” extensions are free when calling on the NIU phone network, but many cell-phone plans now offer free nights and weekends and high-minute packages.

Ultimately, because the cost and principle of maintaining residence-hall phones may be becoming outdated, it is necessary to explore other alternatives for student phone use.

It is not, however, feasible to consider distributing individual cell phones as a solution. Cutting costs by adding more, potentially larger costs makes no sense and is almost entirely impractical.

Agree? Disagree? Contact us at

www.northernstar.info.