University officials across several academic departments are considering cutting the cord on a common perk for professors: landline phones.
Due to budget shortfalls, some departments have found themselves searching for innovative ways to save money. As part of that effort, many said they looked to eliminate the use of outdated, expensive and rarely used land-line phones.
Carrie Stolle, the administrative manager for the department of anthropology, said the idea for cutting the phones might have come from a list of suggestions put forth by the University budget office. Information Technology Services charges $48 dollars per month to maintain landlines
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“We had to do this due to the budget,” said Lindsay Fulenwider, administrative manager of the department of art. “We’d rather cut phone lines versus, say, laying off people.”
The costs and benefits of cutting landlines varies among the departments, as the phones have become a last resort for communication in today’s world of electronic communication.
“Professors are using e-mail, Blackboard and cell phones these days to communicate with students, so landlines have become irrelevant,” Fulenwider said.
Beth Millbank, an ITS spokeswoman, said the University will continue to provide landline services to all of the departments and employees that wish to have them.
She added that the old phone lines might be able to return if professors request them in the future.
Fulenwider said the art department has eliminated 18 lines for professors with their consent and will save over $10,000 for the year.
And they are not alone.
Officials from several other departments said they have already cut lines, or have considered doing so.
Varying policies have been enacted throughout the departments.
