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A Static Debate: College Considers Cable in Common Spaces

"It's nice to have people over so they canwatch things they can't get like `South Park,'"says Owen I. Breck '00. "A lot of the advantages Ihave now wouldn't exist if everyone had it."

"This is the hot spot," he quips. "Thereception's perfect."

However, one blocking group says cabletelevision did not lure them to DeWolfe--it wasthe underground parking.

Still, Louis C. Bevilacqua '98 says he and hisroommates watch cable often--"whenever I'm not atclass or playing sports."

Others cite this easy access as one of cable'sprimary flaws.

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"I'd probably watch it too much," says RunaIslam '00. "And it's too expensive."

Breck also notes that the cable company'scharging system is complex. Students routinelyhave to choose among recorded package options onthe cable company's confusing automated line.Breck suggests that the University help solve theproblem by assuming the responsibility forbilling.

Since cost is a concern to many, Beth A.Stewart '00, council president, says she and hercolleagues "want to ensure it's not a system wherepeople who don't want cable have to pay for it."

"Our perspective is to just provide studentswith all the options," she says.

However, some DeWolfe residents questioncouncil members' concentration on gaining cableaccess.

"I think there are other things worth fightingfor," one male DeWolfe resident says.

Since television viewing can be a socialactivity, some students say wiring house commonrooms is the ideal solution. One DeWolfe residentsays she watched the women's NCAA tournament inthe Mather House TV room.

The hike to the TV room lessens the likelihoodthat students will be distracted by cable. It alsohas the added advantage of being paid for by Housefees rather than directly out of students'pockets.

Students say common room TV viewing bringsmembers of randomized House communities together.The Lowell JCR hosted about 200 students on thenight of the women's basketball tournament, andthe Quincy JCR fills for each new episode of `ER.'A-8CABLESeth H. PerimanAnna M. Schneider-MayersonRachel E. Kramer

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