ITS could begin charging for Internet use as early as July

Students will likely be charged for using the UNC network as early as July as part of a new communication funding system implemented by Information Technology Services.

The exact amount students can expect to pay will depend on what percentage of students’ Internet use ITS officials consider personal compared to academic.

Mike Barker, assistant vice chancellor for infrastructure and operations, said ITS officials estimate students spend one-third to half of their time on the network for personal use, which is all non-class-related Internet activity.

“The one-third to half range is very reasonable in which to make an assessment,” Barker said.

Barker said ITS will narrow the estimated range before deciding on a fee recommendation.

He added that ITS will work closely with student government to determine how much students use the network for personal versus academic reasons.

“We cannot and will not do this without student government and student representatives’ input,” Barker said.

“But we require intellectual honesty and ethical candor from student government about the student body’s personal use.”

Barker said the estimated cost per student is $121.48 per academic year, but that amount will change based on what percentage of student use is determined to be personal. ITS hopes to make that determination by the end of the academic year.

“It’s everyone’s fair share to pay to sustain the community of users.”

ITS might be able to reallocate current fees to completely cover the new cost for students, but it’s not likely, Barker said.

He said ITS can monitor which websites are being visited through the network, but it is impossible to tell if use is personal or if it is academic. For example, it cannot differentiate between someone who uses Netflix for personal reasons or for a film class.

ITS also considers Facebook a personal and academic online resource. They cannot claim Facebook is only for personal use since some students use it to stay updated with student clubs or campus events.

Lauren Snipes, a freshman business administration major, said she spends two-thirds of her time on the network for school work.

“This is a really good school and you’re not going to waste your time on Facebook,” Snipes said.

“The stereotype that we are all lazy teenage college students who are on Facebook or shopping online is not true.”

Sophomore physics major Lindsey Yales said she thinks the ITS estimate is inaccurate.

“I use the internet about 60 percent of the time for personal use,” Yales said.

“I think that estimate is bogus — kids use it way more than that,” she said. “Every time I go into the library, kids are on Facebook.”

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