Westside : UCLA Plugs Dorms Into the Internet

UCLA dormitory residents need go no farther than their bedsides to plug into the Internet and cable television.

The university recently completed a massive yearlong project, rewiring dormitory rooms, common areas and labs. Now, students who live on campus can access the Internet, watch cable television and use modems with their computers.

Installing computer networking in every dorm room cost $4 million--$600 for each computer hook-up, said Michael Schilling, UCLA’s director of technology for business enterprises. UCLA will make up the cost by charging students higher on-campus living fees, Schilling said.

UCLA wired 25,000 outlets, linking about 1,200 students to the Internet and cable television in the past few weeks. The rush of Internet enthusiasts created a backlog of students waiting to sign up, Schilling said.

The university also has created a business center for students--a central information station to help students install their Internet software, and to answer computer-related and cable questions, Schilling said.

The University of California also is starting to improve computer linkage between its nine campuses. The university system plans to spend $3 million over the next two years on the project. . . .