Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 13 text:

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT EXP HED COMPLETION DATErDECEMBER 1985 FUNDING ' - UNIVERSITY BOND ISSUE Opposite: Re-wiring for the network clut- ters the hallways of Ritter Annex. Left: A sign announces the new project. Above: A Bell worker installs a new office tele- phone: a diagram of the new power switches: the system is supervised from the BellAtlanticom office on the fourth floor of Seltzer Hall.

Page 12 text:

Bell Project Begins Most Temple students were aware of the new telecom- munications system, but few actually knew what all the fuss was about. The system was only part of a proposed $40 million infor- mation technology network. The telecommunications pro- ject, budgeted at an estimated $12 million, was only the first phase of the plan. This first phase created confusion and frustration among students because of construction and drilling. The con- struction was necessary, however, to lay the foundations of the system. Unlike workers at other major construction jobs who lay pipe or concrete, the telecommunications workers at Tem- ple laid miles and miles of cable and fiber optic cable. The cable lines will stretch to all five Temple campuses: Main, Health Sciences, TUCC, Tyler and Ambler. The contract for the project was given to BellAtlanticom Inc. The work began August 8, 1984, and the expected completion date is January 1, 1986. When the total telecommunications and computer net- work is completed, said President Liacouras, Temple will truly be the university of the future, at the forefront of colleges and universities with advanced technology. This first phase was the electronic roadmap for the com- puter and information system at Temple.

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Tele-NetLUDrh Jains Gsmpuses The new telecommunications system, when completed, will be a great asset to the Temple community. According to Director of Telecommunications John K. Patterson, the best way to describe the system is as an information utility. Patterson compares this information utility to ordinary gas or electric utilities. Instead of supplying heat or power, Temple ' s system will provide voice and video information. Part of the telecommunications system is the installation of 9,200 Touchtone telephones throughout the university. Every dormitory room is among the facilities slated to receive the new telephones. Because Temple is building this system they will own and operate it. One of the advantages of this is that Temple will not have to pay the phone company for the use of the phones. Another money-saving advantage is that the system will con- trol consumption of energy such as light, heat and airconditioning. When the entire $40 million network is in place the information utility will be able to provide effective communication between people, between people and computers and even between computers themselves. The future possibilities will offer great areas for student use. Paley Library ' s computer catalog will be hooked into the mainframe computer. Students in medicine and nursing will be able someday to sit in classrooms and through the video network watch and listen as Temple surgeons perform a deli- cate heart transplant. Other areas for student participation will grow along with the system. This information utility will serve as the framework for the ongoing technological progress Temple is making.