College dormitories may not get new cable television service this year, despite earlier indications that an improved programming package would be installed by the beginning of Fall term 2000.
According to Dean of the College James Larimore the decision has been delayed as a result of the Student Life Initiative, as well as problems with funding the new service.
"We're examining our options," he said. Right now "we've slowed down and it's taking a bit longer ... but we're trying to move to a decision."
Larimore also said that the timing of the decision "is a little bit uncertain," though "we're working with the hope that it will be [next fall]."
He added that he and Vice President of the College Win Johnson are attempting to decide what are the best options for financing the project.
"There will have to be an increase [in College charges] somewhere," he said, raising the cost of "room is the most obvious option."
According to Johnson, the anticipated cost of implementing a campus-wide cable system will be approximately $160,000 per year.
He added that funding is currently a major limiting factor in the process, noting that there are several other programs and projects competing for new funding from the College.
"The budget is tight as a drum," he said. "It's not easy to fit this in."
Larimore said another issue he is currently examining is the possible channel lineup that would be available from local cable providers, as well as what would be available from outside the Upper Valley region.
One of the reasons the College plans to offer new channels is to increase the cultural diversity of television programming on campus. As a result, one of the channels under consideration is Black Entertainment Television along with more international and foreign language stations.
Larimore said BET and some other channels that would increase the diversity of programming are not available from local cable providers, requiring the College to find an outside source for the channels and resulting in further delays.
He also said that he is considering the report issued last year by the Campus Cable Committee which recommended such "cable mainstays" as CNN and ESPN.
Currently an interim package is in place, allowing students access to the three major networks along with PBS and several international stations, though the lineup has always been temporary since its implementation at the beginning of Winter term of last year.
