The Center for Academic Computing has addressed this demand for Internet access by installing additional faster modems, accessible at (814) 689-2222, for dial-up Internet access. CAC's modem pool also can be reached at (814) 863-2222 and (814) 863-7777.

Modems enable a computer to use a phone line to connect to another computer.

One year ago, there was an average of 30,000 off-campus dials to Penn State's Internet access per day. Now there is an average of 50,000 dials per day, said Jim Kerlin, CAC deputy director, adding these figures include each call from students who might connect to the Internet several times a day.

This increase has kept many students waiting for Internet access, especially in the midmorning and late evening hours, because all modems are busy.

"I think everyone tries to work with what we have and is patient," Kerlin said.

Pete Yodis (junior-mechanical engineering), who lives off campus, said he sometimes has to try about three times before his computer can connect. Yodis was not aware of the additional modems, but he said it has been easier to access the Internet since the time the modems were implemented last month.

The availability of Internet access for students living off campus also is dependent upon students living on campus.

Ethernet, FastEthernet, Token Ring, ATM connections and networks are backbone connections available for students living on campus, according to the CAC World Wide Web site. Backbone connections are much faster than modem connections and allow students to have Internet access at all times, Kerlin said.

"We encourage folks (on campus) to connect to Ethernet cards and not their modems," Kerlin said. "It will free up lines and it will be a lot faster."

An increase in software at the computer labs, as well as more computer-oriented assignments, has increased the usage of on-campus computer labs, Kerlin said. But the additional modems may help ease some of the waiting lines in the labs.

"With more modems, students can do more things off campus."