Spring Break
Mercer University to dial in cell phone plan
Jennifer Burk
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Other Campuses
Originally published: 4/27/07 at 12:07 AM EST Last update: 4/27/07 at 12:07 AM EST
Students also may choose to upgrade their plans to get additional minutes.
Among its features, the phone offers Global Positioning System technology that will allow students to track the progress of the trolley from downtown Macon to Mercer. Although students may activate the GPS to notify campus police of their whereabouts, federal regulations prevent the university from tracking students, Belote said.
Students may use the phones to access their e-mail as well as the university's course management system, which allows students to check grades and assignments.
Sprint Nextel will ensure Mercer's Macon and Atlanta campuses have the infrastructure to guarantee coverage, he said.
With the addition of cell phones, land lines most likely will be turned off in residence halls, although a student may request them to be turned on, Belote said. "Our goal is to ensure that we have effective communications between 100 percent of our students," he said.
Cell phones seemed to be a logical step because most students on campus rely on them for communication, he said.
In fall 2004, nine in 10 college students owned a cell phone, according to Student Monitor, a market research company.
Each year, a new freshman class will be entered into the cell phone program, so in four years, almost all students should have one.
However, Belote admitted that cell phones are not infallible and only are effective communication tools if students actually carry the phones with them.
Akeem Anderson, a junior political science major, said the safety features and GPS technology are appealing, but he's not sure if he's going to opt for the Mercer plan or keep his own.
"I am going to look at the plan," he said. "If it is better than what I have already, then, yeah I'll join the plan."
Mercer University's base cell phone plan includes:
• Unlimited text messaging
• Unlimited data access
• Free long distance
• Unlimited in-network (Sprint Nextel)
• Free nights and weekends starting at 7 p.m.
• Free roaming on Verizon and Alltel networks
Source: Mickey Belote, associate vice president for information technology
Among its features, the phone offers Global Positioning System technology that will allow students to track the progress of the trolley from downtown Macon to Mercer. Although students may activate the GPS to notify campus police of their whereabouts, federal regulations prevent the university from tracking students, Belote said.
Students may use the phones to access their e-mail as well as the university's course management system, which allows students to check grades and assignments.
Sprint Nextel will ensure Mercer's Macon and Atlanta campuses have the infrastructure to guarantee coverage, he said.
With the addition of cell phones, land lines most likely will be turned off in residence halls, although a student may request them to be turned on, Belote said. "Our goal is to ensure that we have effective communications between 100 percent of our students," he said.
Cell phones seemed to be a logical step because most students on campus rely on them for communication, he said.
In fall 2004, nine in 10 college students owned a cell phone, according to Student Monitor, a market research company.
Each year, a new freshman class will be entered into the cell phone program, so in four years, almost all students should have one.
However, Belote admitted that cell phones are not infallible and only are effective communication tools if students actually carry the phones with them.
Akeem Anderson, a junior political science major, said the safety features and GPS technology are appealing, but he's not sure if he's going to opt for the Mercer plan or keep his own.
"I am going to look at the plan," he said. "If it is better than what I have already, then, yeah I'll join the plan."
Mercer University's base cell phone plan includes:
• Unlimited text messaging
• Unlimited data access
• Free long distance
• Unlimited in-network (Sprint Nextel)
• Free nights and weekends starting at 7 p.m.
• Free roaming on Verizon and Alltel networks
Source: Mickey Belote, associate vice president for information technology
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