ResNet problems infuriate students

Seventy dollars is all it cost students living in High Rise North to receive cable television this year. But the school year is now almost two-thirds over and many residents say they feel like they have paid $70 too much. "They can take their cable and shove it," said Wharton junior Karen Klinger. ResNet, the University's computer and video network that provides students with ethernet connections, private phone lines and cable television, has not received the expected warm reception from students. Chris Cook, the coordinator of ResNet's video program, said yesterday that there have been several problems with cable reception in High Rise North this year. In order to correct these problems, the University, in conjunction with Campus Televideo, a local cable company, began installing a new cable system several weeks ago, he added. However, this winter's harsh weather has made work difficult. "The plan was to install the new system and keep the old one up and running," Cook said. "One ice storm really debilitated the old system and the old system failed." Frederick Gluckman, a Wharton senior, said he understands that weather conditions may wreak havoc with the cable system. But he added that there were problems with the cable before this semester. Gluckman said he called Cook before winter break and was told there would be equipment upgrades before the spring semester began. When he got back to school, though, Gluckman said nothing had been done, and in the last few weeks the cable reception has gotten worse. "My money has been wasted," he said. He added that he hopes Residential Living will consider offering refunds to students in High Rise North because of the unsatisfactory services. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said the idea of refunds to High Rise North residents has not been discussed by her office. "At this point, I don't feel this is something that is likely to happen," she said. Simeone added that she has not heard of complaints about the other ResNet services. The system which is currently being replaced involves transmission of infrared waves from the ResNet office in Graduate Tower B to the dormitories that have been wired for ResNet, according to Cook. King's Court/English House, Modern Language House, Ware College House and High Rise North receive ResNet cable transmissions. Cook said the old system did not work well over long distances. So, while there were very few problems in King's Court/English House, High Rise North had many problems with cable reception. In the last few weeks, Cook said the University has been switching over to a microwave-based technology in order to improve reception. High Rise South and High Rise East are slated to be wired for ResNet's video services in time for this fall using this new technology, Cook said. He added that the system is currently performing to about 80 percent of its potential and that the quality of the service should improve soon. Klinger said cable stations have been coming in clearer in the past couple of days, but she has had to unplug the cable in order to get the local network affiliate stations to come in clearly. Gluckman also found that reception in his room has improved. His main gripe, though, is that when he has called the ResNet hotline in order to report trouble with the system, there is no information about technical problems. He said he thinks that Cook should update the voice mail message for the hotline, 8-4336 (VIDEO), to let callers know the status of problems with the system. Cook said he thinks this is a good idea, but admitted that he is hesitant to do this all the time because he did not want to make any promises about when something would be fixed. "This has been a frustrating couple of weeks for our customers," he said. "I really appreciate their patience."