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
McClatchy Newspapers
MACON, Ga. (MCT) - Mercer University students who don't feel safe on a nighttime walk through campus soon will have the option of setting an alarm to notify campus police if they don't reach their destination.
That's just one of the features included in a new cell phone plan designed specifically for Mercer students.
Starting this fall, all Mercer freshmen - officials anticipate about 620 of them - will be enrolled in the cell phone plan, said Terry Whittum, senior vice president for enrollment management. Current students may decide if they wish to purchase a plan, but they are not required to.
Mercer is one of a growing number of universities that offer students a cell phone plan with admission. Georgia Gwinnett College also plans to offer the technology in the fall.
The Mercer cell phone plan, which is supported by Rave Wireless and Sprint Nextel, will allow campus administrators to better communicate with students.
"Even with the land lines in (the residence halls), there was always the issue of being able to communicate with our students," Whittum said.
Now with just a few strokes of a keypad, a text message may be sent instantly to all Mercer cell phones, allowing administrators to alert students of potentially dangerous situations, such as hazardous weather, Whittum said.
The phones also would give Mercer officials the capability to alert the university community in the event of a tragedy like the recent one at Virginia Tech, said Mickey Belote, Mercer's associate vice president for information technology. However, the cell phone plan has been in the works for about nine months and was not developed as a result of the shootings, he said.
Freshmen probably will pay a $180 to $190 fee each semester for the base plan, which they automatically will be enrolled in, Belote said. The exact cost still is being finalized, he said.
A base phone is provided free of charge, but upgraded phones, such as a RAZR or Treo will be available for a cost.
MACON, Ga. (MCT) - Mercer University students who don't feel safe on a nighttime walk through campus soon will have the option of setting an alarm to notify campus police if they don't reach their destination.
That's just one of the features included in a new cell phone plan designed specifically for Mercer students.
Starting this fall, all Mercer freshmen - officials anticipate about 620 of them - will be enrolled in the cell phone plan, said Terry Whittum, senior vice president for enrollment management. Current students may decide if they wish to purchase a plan, but they are not required to.
Mercer is one of a growing number of universities that offer students a cell phone plan with admission. Georgia Gwinnett College also plans to offer the technology in the fall.
The Mercer cell phone plan, which is supported by Rave Wireless and Sprint Nextel, will allow campus administrators to better communicate with students.
"Even with the land lines in (the residence halls), there was always the issue of being able to communicate with our students," Whittum said.
Now with just a few strokes of a keypad, a text message may be sent instantly to all Mercer cell phones, allowing administrators to alert students of potentially dangerous situations, such as hazardous weather, Whittum said.
The phones also would give Mercer officials the capability to alert the university community in the event of a tragedy like the recent one at Virginia Tech, said Mickey Belote, Mercer's associate vice president for information technology. However, the cell phone plan has been in the works for about nine months and was not developed as a result of the shootings, he said.
Freshmen probably will pay a $180 to $190 fee each semester for the base plan, which they automatically will be enrolled in, Belote said. The exact cost still is being finalized, he said.
A base phone is provided free of charge, but upgraded phones, such as a RAZR or Treo will be available for a cost.
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