The University has done it again. Students who live on campus recently received notice that as of Jan. 1, they would have "call-waiting" for their telephones. Call-waiting permits the user to take other calls while he is already on the phone with someone else.

Call-waiting is yet another example of the unnecessary items that the University has given to the students. These include, but are not limited to, the card access security system and the ACUS long distance telephone service.

We are informed that we can cancel call-waiting by entering a cancellation code. This entails dialing three numbers during or before each call.

Therefore, to have the same long-distance service we had before this semester, students on campus need to dial more digits (the three cancel call-waiting digits and our ACUS seven digit personal identification number). That is an increase of 83 percent in the amount of digits to dial. It is not efficient and it is a nuisance.

My philosophy, and that of many with whom I have talked, is that if the call is important, the other party will call back. I believe it is rude to ring off somebody because he is not as "important" as the new caller.

Who asked for call-waiting? Was it a student request or something the Office of Telecommunications thought the students would like?

Why is it mandatory and not an option? Who will pay for this feature?

Even though the cost may not show up in our Bell of Pennsylvania bills, it will almost certainly be hidden in increased room costs next school year. I would be most interested in a reply from the OTC and/or Housing and Food Services.

Editor's Note: This letter was submitted to The Daily Collegian last semester.