The College will install a new telephone system this fall that will provide clearer service, eliminate crosstalk and possibly offer voice-mail options.
The new system, which costs about $1 million, will be online by the Winter term Director of Administrative Services Marcia Colligan said.
She said the system will support more telephone lines and "students will get a dial tone right away."
The current AT&T system is outdated and overloaded creating probelms with crossed lines and students being unable to dial out at peak times.
Colligan said 1,000 new lines will be added to the 5,000 already installed, which will improve service.
The new state-of-the-art system is capable of handling 12,000 lines, 7,000 more than the AT&T system which was installed in 1981.
Colligan said the money for the new system came fom the College's operating budget but would not say if Dartalk, the College's telphone service, would raise its rates or monthly service fee.
Summer Student Assembly President Grace Chionuma '96 said she is happy the new telephone system will be installed because of the current system's faults.
The telephone system has been a topic of debate with the Assembly during the past few years.
The Telephone Services office began studying the different options and needs of telephone services last July and received proposals from different companies this March.
The new system is also capable of call waiting, call forwarding and conference calling, Colligan said.
She said although the new options "will not be added right away," the office will study students' needs and the cost of the features Spring term.
Colligan said the installation of the special features might take a year.
Chionuma said if the new features are not added, the $15 service charge should be reduced.
