By Victor Drabicky staff reporter Some students said they are frustrated after Information Services blocked access to Napster.com, a Web site that allows users to download MP3 technology. Assistant Provost for Information Services David Edmondson said the banning is necessary because the university's bandwidth, which was doubled in November, has become saturated by the Web site. Bandwidth is the number and size of files that a server can handle at any given time. "Because we were so saturated, it was slowing people down when they were trying to use the Internet," he said. "That is when we decided to simply block students from using the program, thus freeing up our bandwidth for other uses." Edmondson said though he included copyright concerns in an e-mail that went to the TCU campus, the only reason for shutting down access to Napster is bandwidth. "(Downloading MP3s from Napster) has the potential for being illegal, but this is a bandwidth problem not a copyright problem," Edmondson said. Stephanie Norton, senior marketing manager for Napster.com, said bandwidth was the concern of other universities who have blocked access to Napster. "Not one of the universities that have contacted me have a copyright problem," Norton said. "The problem is with bandwidth." Napster.com is a Web site that allows users to download free software enabling them to trade MP3s with others that have downloaded the Napster software. Sara Yzaguirre, a sophomore psychology major, said she was unhappy when she found out she couldn't use Napster. "It was frustrating because I didn't know we were blocked from using it until I checked my delta account for the all-campus e-mail Information Services sent out a couple of days after I found out the site was blocked," Yzaguirre said. Edmondson said he has received almost 20 e-mails from students complaining about the blocking of Napster. "Students need to know that I don't want to block this site from them," Edmondson said. "It is just my job to make sure we effectively use our resources." MP3s, short for MPEG-1 layer 3, is a format that allows extremely compressed audio files to be stored on computers at a fraction of their total size. This allows a large library of MP3 songs to be stored with only minimal hard disk space. Lesli Dedek, a sophomore business management major, said she is not happy with the blockage of the site. "Since we are paying for Internet service, we should be able to use it however we want to," Dedek said. "It's annoying that Information Services decided to block the site simply because they couldn't handle the amount people who were using the site." However, TCU is not the first university to block the use of Napster. Harvard University and the University of Indiana both have blocked the use of Napster because of bandwidth problems. Norton said Napster never intended to cause bandwidth problems on college campuses. "We sympathize with administrators," Norton said. "We had no idea that Napster would catch on as quickly as it did. But it is important to remember that the problem is with bandwidth and not Napster. Blocking Napster is not the solution to the problem." Norton said Napster is currently working with the University of Indiana to solve the problem. "The University of Indiana is sort of our test school," Norton said. "We are working with administrators there to fix the problem and let students use Napster again. We are happy that our users like our program and hope they realize that we will do what we can to fix the problems." Vince Scott, a junior neuroscience major, said despite the block on Napster use, there are still ways students can use Napster. "I know there are ways around the block," Scott said. "People that have a lot of computer experience will find a way around it. It is only a matter of time before students find the ways around the block and begin using Napster again." Edmondson said he is aware that students may begin using Napster again. "We know that there will be students that break the rules," Edmondson said. "We will simply deal with that situation when we get there." Neilson Arbour, a sophomore finance major, said he can see both sides of the story. "I can understand why Information Services put a block on Napster," Arbour said. "To me, it is still frustrating that a 10-year-old can look at pornography over the Internet, but I can't listen to music." Edmondson said Information Services is working to end students' frustration that comes with the block of Napster. "Information Services is working on a solution to the problem," Edmondson said. "I am meeting with students and faculty on Wednesday to figure out other possible solutions. We just want to make sure the network is used the best way it can be used."
Staff reporter Yonina Robinson contributed to this report.
Victor Drabicky
By Jeri Peterson Senior Reporter After an intense week of raising funds for her transplant operation, Robbyn Kindle said it feels good to sit back and take a breath. TCU students, faculty, staff and alumni raised over $57,300 as of noon Friday in Kindle's behalf after news broke that she was in dire need of funding for a liver and small bowel transplant. The local media covered the fundraising phenomenon, which helped prompt additional donations from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and around the country. Kindle said she is amazed that students have gone to such great lengths to raise awareness about her condition. "I'd like to come up (to campus) before we leave, but I don't know if I'll make it since I'm getting so weak," she said. "My big exercise yesterday was walking around the nurses' station." With the help of Dallas businessman Mark Bunting, who Wednesday pledged to make up the remainder of the money needed, Kindle is officially in line for an organ at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "My energy level is going down, which is to be expected, but we're still waiting and hoping that phone call comes," Kindle said. "I've got the beeper waiting, and I check it every day to make sure it still works." Kindle said so much ammonia has built up in her body that she has a hard time thinking, which is characteristic of the last stage of liver disease. Although she is losing strength, she said she plans to stay in Fort Worth until an organ becomes available. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs William Koehler said TCU will have a plane ready to take Kindle to Nebraska as soon as the call comes. "Besides a TCU plane, my brother has three planes lined up, so I'm not worried about getting up there when the time comes," Kindle said. "Dr. Koehler even went so far as to say that if I'm so sick I need medical assistance on the flight, he will arrange for that, too." Contributions are still being accepted in the provost's office, TCU box 297040. Checks should be made to Nebraska Medical Center with no other designation in order to be tax-deductible.
Jeri Peterson
By Natascha Terc staff reporter Fort Worth Police Chief Ralph Mendoza said he means serious business concerning the safety of TCU students and community as he takes on his new position. Mendoza said continuing the relationship between Fort Worth and TCU police will be easy. "In working with TCU, we were actively involved with the Wedgwood memorial," Mendoza said. "To our advantage, we're already familiar with the TCU officers." Mendoza has worked with J.C. Williams, assistant chief of police, on the Weed and Seed program, which began in 1992. The program was successful at reducing crime in the most violent areas of the city and was the beginning model of how the Fort Worth police department is now structured. "Mendoza was critical in the success of the program," Williams said. "When he took over as deputy chief (of Fort Worth), he was a great mentor because he wanted to see for himself what was happening positively so he could apply it to other parts of the city." Mendoza said he challenges anyone to come to him with problems and concerns, and said he will personally investigate complaints against his officers. "I won't base decisions on rumors or gossip," Mendoza said. "I like to see for myself what's going on." Williams said the TCU police will have an easy transition from former Chief of Police Thomas Windham to Mendoza. "(TCU) worked directly with Mendoza on the memorial after the Wedgwood tragedy in September," Williams said. "It will be a very natural transition with Mendoza because relationships with TCU officers and the community are already in place on a professional and personal basis." Williams, who has known Mendoza for 15 years, said the interaction between TCU and Fort Worth police is going to be tremendous. "Mendoza was critical as supervisor, lieutenant and an outstanding deputy chief," Williams said. "He is going to have a lot of respect from the rank and file because he worked his way up." Jamie F.E. Johnson, neighborhood police officer assigned to TCU, said he is hopeful that under Mendoza's leadership the Fort Worth police department will continue to thrive. "He has an interest in the needs of the officers in this department because he began as an officer himself and has that experience," Johnson said. Johnson said the central goals of the police department are to work with the community and reduce crime using Windham's community policing policy. "With a lot of confidence I can tell you I don't foresee any wide-sweeping changes," Johnson said. "I expect the good relationship with the TCU police department to continue." Johnson, who works out of the TCU storefront on Green St., said the storefront tries to balance the needs of crime prevention in the area with the needs of the public. "My hope is to continue to educate TCU students to prevent themselves from being crime victims," Johnson said. Mendoza said he is highly impressed with Fort Worth police and will continue to have high expectations. Mendoza said he will have hands-on interaction with the officers and let them make decisions without overmanagement. "I will come to the table with a set of goals," Mendoza said. "(Windham) and I have the same goals, but we use different methods." Mendoza said he has always had an open-door policy and allows a lot of input. "If we're functioning in an appropriate manner, the agency should have nothing to hide," he said. "There's a comfort and trust level with the citizens." Mendoza said the departments will continue to work together to uphold the mission statement to "provide a quality service and partnership with the community to provide a safe environment to all." "If the TCU campus feels better, that's what we're all about," he said.
Natascha Terc
By Yonina Robinson staff reporter Foster Hall is not the only TCU building receiving a new face this spring. TCU recently purchased the old Colonial Cafeteria on the corner of Berry and Sandage streets. Renovations have already begun to turn the building into the new administrative annex for the Institute for Behavioral Research. The move has been slated for April 15, 2000. IBR is currently located in trailers behind Beasley Hall. When IBR moves, the department of economics will move into the trailers. Dwayne Simpson, the S.B. Sells professor of psychology, said the staff at IBR is excited about the move. "We're located in an old metal prefabricated building that was made in 1964 for IBR," Simpson said. "They really are just metal trailer homes with wheels." Edward McNertney, the chairman of the economics department, said his department is excited about the move. Economics is currently located in Dan Rogers Hall and Winton-Scott Hall.
Garrison said the money for the project is coming from the university budget and not from a special fund. Simpson said the main problem for the IBR staff is that they are located in three locations across campus. He said it has been that way since the institute arrived at TCU in 1964. Larry Garrison, the university architect, said originally three organizations were supposed to be in the annex. "When it came down to it, IBR was best for the space," Garrison said. Garrison said renovations started in December. There were a few delays in trying to decide the logical candidate to move into the new space, Garrison said. They also stopped to regroup and get IBR's input, but they are now on schedule, he said. The new IBR building will have all new furniture, good acoustics, private offices for 15 people and an "exceptionally nice conference room," Garrison said. "They will also get new air conditioning, a new roof, new carpet and ample parking." Garrison said the annex will have modern conveniences. "We took out all the asbestos and the kitchen," Garrison said. "It won't even look like the same building. We changed the entrance from Berry Street to Sandage Street." Garrison said the annex will have its own parking, and TCU is also leasing the parking lot across the street from it. "By moving (IBR), it'll help with parking because economics has a smaller staff than IBR."
Yonina Robinson |
"I'm just happy to have space," McNertney said.
"And we'll be close to the other social science departments."| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |