A survey of 354 residential students conducted by the Undergraduate Student Government Association, two weeks ago, revealed that nearly 97 percent of those students wanted access to Skype, an online video chat service, on campus.
SGA is in the process of using the results to petition administration to have access by fall 2012.
The service is blocked due to network security threats.
Greg Horne, executive director of Information Technologies Systems and Services, said the way Skype transfers people’s communication makes it hard for security services to detect harmful content.
However, Veronica Nuñez, senior biology major and resident assistant in the Commons Residence Hall said Skype is a useful service to students. “[It is beneficial] especially for international students who may not even go home during breaks because it is too expensive,” she said.
Daniel Brookins, sophomore legal studies major and SGA senator, proposed the petition. He said he did not understand OIT’s reasons for blocking the service.
“The way they block Skype is that you can’t log in on campus, but if you go somewhere, log in and come back you can use it,” he said. “It’s just an annoyance to students because they have to go off campus to access it.”
Services similar to Skype, such as ooVoo, are accessible on campus.
Grant Johnson, senior biology major and resident in the Founders residence hall, said he used ooVoo to keep in touch with his family.
“I think it’s a good alternative, but I actually have not heard of any other services similar to [Skype],” he said.
Anthony Campenni, senior economics major and SGA president, said includes gaining access to Skype everywhere on campus.
“Survey results stated students would not only
use Skype in their dorms but even the UC,” he said.
Brookins said the petition passed unanimously in SGA. They will submit the petition to Brad Williams, Ed.D., dean of Student Affairs, and then to OIT before the next step is decided.
