Bean says student demand has inspired hisefforts.

Last spring's undergraduate COHL members askedthe committee to reexamine the feasibility ofinstallation. And this year's Council leaders havecontinued to fight for access.

Eric M. Nelson '99, chair of the council'sStudent Affairs Committee, says the council isdiscussing conducting a poll to determine demandfor cable service.

"The ball is in our court now to show thatthere is significant student support for the cabletelevision option," says Nelson, who is also aCrimson editor.

"I have spoken to a lot of my constituents andstudents at large," Nelson says. "I got the sensethat this is definitely something that people werevery interested in."

Yet a study conducted by the University inDecember indicates that--among campuses thatprovide cable access--student subscriptions rarelybreak the 20 percent mark.

"[Other universities'] feedback from thestudents is that they have enough to do withoutwatching TV," the study says, citing data fromMIT, Brandeis, Tufts and Babson. Those that dopause to watch, according to the study, fearprocrastination since, "cable made it too easy[for TV] to be a distraction."

But for students who currently enjoySportscenter--ensconced in deluxe DeWolfeapartments--television is a way of life.

Primetime in DeWolfe

On Tuesday night at 9 p.m., the set is on inDeWolfe 20-25, where residents estimate they watchabout five hours of television each day.

ESPN, Howard Stern and several movie channelstop their list of viewing preferences.

They admit that as second-semester seniorstheir lightened schedules have plenty of room forquality time with the tube.

"It's a scary thought if everybody had cable,"says Andres Saenz '98.

In an informal Crimson poll, 68 percent ofsurveyed DeWolfe residents said they takeadvantage of the building's cable access. Of thosecable subscribers, about 47 percent had their setsturned on Tuesday night.

Some justify the cost--often reaching $60 amonth--by the social opportunities membershipaffords.