<p>Why we have to pay for cable TV if we dont have a TV set? Why we should pay more if we want a faster Internet connection?
Can we subscribe to an outside service?</p>
<p>From Student Life
BREAKING NEWS: New Internet and cable bundle fee revealed amidst student protest</p>
<p>by David Brody</p>
<p>Students buying Internet access from Student Technology Services this fall will now be required to pay for cable television as well. Student Technology Services (STS) announced that the new service package will cost $240 per semester and that unbundled services will not be available. With the new bundled package, students will receive a wired data port to connect to the Internet via Ethernet, wireless accessibility in residential areas, 512kb/s of guaranteed bandwidth, anti-virus software and standard cable. The package is being offered to all South 40, North Side, Millbrook and fraternity residents and does not apply to those living off-campus. All students, regardless of whether they purchase the bundle or not, will still have access to their residences computer labs.</p>
<p>That means we have to pay for services our children don’t want to use or they are losing the Internet they need.</p>
<p>Service would double the last year’s fees, but SU pushed by angry students is working to get an agreement in this. I think it is unfair for those living in a triple to pay for three cable TV connections even if they won’t have a TV set, and Wash U can’t denied Internet access if you don’t sign up the Cable TV bundle.</p>
<p>so…say we are too cheap to buy the package, where is the closest place to the dorms where we can get internet access? somewhere on south 40 i hope?</p>
<p>There are already plenty of complains from the students, I think Res Tech should go back to the simple plan, no forced bundles.
New students should know what is going on, why the Res Tech pages are still “under construction”?</p>
<p>Each rescollege has its own computer lab, which you’ll have access to regardless of whether you purchase the plan (I likely won’t). In my dorm last year, two of the three closest dorms had computer labs. Plus, the swamp has free wireless, as does bear’s den, and i think the ethernet is free in the common rooms of each building (not sure).</p>
<p>As far as I know, the rate will be $240 for South 40 and $188 for everybody else. You paid for the Internet and wireless; Cable TV is free even if you don’t subscribe to Internet. There are many complains from students and parents, but most of the new students don’t know what is going on.</p>
<p>STS’ Vice-chancellor is on vacation until 8/30, no complains allowed. We will have to pay 173% more than last year but everybody has cable TV free (analog system with very few channels, if you want an upgrade: $10 more every month).</p>
<p>The “free” (yeah, right) cable service doesn’t have a “analog system with very few channels”. The system actually includes 106 channel (including WU TV, and a few other internal channels), as well as 7 local channels that are HD. Though pricing for the next year is insane and needs to be looked at by the administration, any sports fans will be a fan of the 9 sports channels in the lineup (This package is a better deal for students who were planning on buying cable, but worse for those who weren’t planning on it).</p>
<p>It’s not digital. If you want the Premium service with all the stuff you said, you’ll have to pay an extra.
“Bandwidth tripled!” They announce in the flyer…yeah! As long that only 600 users are logged at the same time, the system can’t support more than that.
And the wireless network is installed. Would you have wireless access without subscribing?</p>
<p>Nobody said it was digital, but you can get Premium service for more money. The “guaranteed bandwidth” it is only guaranteed if the number of users at the same time is no more than 500…but you can pay extra if you need more bandwidth.</p>
<p>Do you know how much extra are those services? The mail we got only tells you the regular fee and it doesn’t said what would happen with the wireless if you don’t want to subscribe to the plan.</p>
<p>I sent you a PM; hope it’s useful.</p>
<p>And to an earlier question: I don’t think you get wireless access on the S40 without paying the fee. To use the wireless network on main campus last year you still had to log in with your username and password, even though it was free. I’m sure you’ll have to log in to the S40 wireless network to use it as well.</p>
<p>Well, I’m pretty sure you could access wireless in the library/Danforth Campus and on the Swamp even without buying the internet in the dorms… I think WashU just wants to make sure that the only people accessing their wireless are actually WashU students, faculty, etc. But to deny people free wireless in the library of all places is pretty irrational, and I think I have a few friends who didn’t pay for internet in the dorms and would just always work in the lib.</p>
<p>yeah, I agree. My point was just that I’m sure they’ll have a similar sort of protection to make sure that no one who’s not paying the ridiculous fee will get wireless in any of the places where you couldn’t get it before, like the dorms. I certainly hope we still get free internet in the library!</p>
<p>Don’t many schools provide cable and internet access free of charge? I rencently toured a smaller private school with my younger daughter. Not only did this school provide cable and internet access for free, they also provided a microwave and small refrigerator in every dorm room.</p>
<p>Given how expensive tuition and room and board are at WUSTL, it seems ridiculous that they make you pay for cable and internet too. The parking fees also seem outrageous. Am I the only parent that thinks so?</p>
<p>While schools may include it for free, the fee is hidden in the housing fee (after all, it does cost money to provide cable & internet). As for a microwave & fridge, I haven’t seen a single school that includes them. Fridges & microwaves are cheap enough these days, especially when the cost is split between roommates, and can follow you for your entire college career. I do suggest calling ResLife and asking for clarification on why costs are higher, however.</p>
<p>Parking fees are actually in-line with many universities - I have friends paying upwards of $100/mo at other schools (not even major cities) for parking. It’s all about the limited supply of spaces.</p>
<p>Student Technology Services announced that the price of residential Internet access will remain $135 for the fall semester after widespread student protest erupted over the announcement of a rate hike to $240 per semester. The added features offered by Student Technology Services (STS), including residential wireless access and cable TV for all on-campus residents, will continue to be included in the package.</p>