As students file out of a classroom once class has ended, many whip cell phones out of purses, pockets and backpacks and start dialing before they even get outside.
It’s the post-class phone call and it is multi-purpose. A congratulatory call because you actually went to class, a therapy session if you got a bad grade, a ride home, checking in with a significant other or calling your parents for money.
According to an MSNBC poll, 90 percent of college students have cell phones compared to only 30 percent five years ago. Cell phone use is so prevalent on Fairfield’s campus that this school year the university decided to stop offering long distance phone service through the university phone lines in all dorm rooms, apartments and townhouses.
“The change in long-distance service provided in the student residences on campus was a reaction to the increase in cell phone usage by students,” said Mark Reed, dean of students.
The long-distance rates offered by the phone provider were too expensive compared to the small number of students using the landlines to make them worthwhile.
“Pre-paid calling cards were more economical than the long-distance rates that was available to students through the long-distance provider,” said Reed. “In other words, students have more choice now than they did before, at less expense if they so choose.”
Many students agree with the change and have not been affected by it.
“I have a cell phone that has a lot of minutes and free long distance,” said Chris Miller ’06.
Heather Izzi ’06 agreed with Miller.
“I don’t care at all that they got rid of the long-distance,” she said. “Most long distance calls are free on cell phones.
“Long distance cost a lot more on landlines, so I would never use them when we had them anyways,” Izzi added.
Other students also have not even used their residence hall phone lines very much.
“I don’t even know how to use the room phone,” said Alina Sysak ’08, a Jogues resident. “I don’t even remember using it once this year because I get full service with my cell phone in my dorm room.”
James Taglione’05, a townhouse resident, has relied on his cell phone as well.
“My townhouse phone isn’t even plugged in at all because we all have cell phones,” he said. “I haven’t used that phone at all this year.”
The increased use of cell phones, new technology like camera phones, competitive carriers and incentives like free nights and weekends along with free calling to subscribers of the same carrier, has made landlines all but unused on many college campuses.
American University in Washington D.C. has completely eliminated all landlines in residence halls while many other schools, including George Washington University, Universities of Maryland and Virginia, are considering following suite, citing cell phone use by students as a leading factor.
Some students thought Fairfield should consider a similar route.
“I think Fairfield should just get rid of the phones in the residence halls completely,” Taglione said. “Even my brother in the dorms just calls his friends from his cell phone to theirs.”
“It would definitely be easier to get rid of them because no one I know doesn’t have a cell phone,” said Sysak. “It is probably much easier just to get a cell phone anyways.”
However, safety and security is an issue for some schools when considering getting rid of landlines. Landlines make it much easier for emergency services to locate individuals who are in need of assistance. Cell phones may also not work in all buildings or areas which is also a concern.
Also, deans and professors must make their own long-distance phone calls to get in touch with many students who originally set up their cell phones at home, not school.
Fairfield University students are required to set up their residence hall phones and voice mails for campus emergency and announcement purposes. Off campus students have their own requirements.
“Students living off campus are required to provide a contact phone number,” said Reed. “There is no requirement that it be a landline or cell number, that is up to the student.
Reed did acknowledge that cells phones are much more commonly used that landlines.
“Most students living offcampus opt for the cell number,” he said.
In addition to affecting landline use on campus, student beach residents are also using landlines less frequently due to the prevalence of cell phones.
“We didn’t feel like getting a phone in the house because we all have cell phones and it would be useless,” said Mike Tobin ’06. “It would just be another bill to pay.
Robyn Atkachunas ’05 and her roommates also opted not to get a landline.
“We all have cell phones and did not really use our house phone last year, so we decided not to get one at all,” she said. “We just didn’t have a need for one at all.”
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