Abstract
Clarion University recently faced a dilemma: wire seven residence halls for data, voice, and video with no money or additional support personnel. A unique solution evolved in which we combined our telecommunications services into one package and sought a consortium of vendors to wire our residence halls, manage the new services, and rely on future royalties from the sale of those services to pay for it. A consortium headed by ALLTEL Communications, Inc., subsequently wired the halls (in three months!) and now supplies students with cable TV, Internet access, local exchange/long distance telephone service, computer sales, wireless services, and help desk support. This presentation will detail Clarion's selection process and the opportunities and concerns of allying with private industry for the installation and maintenance of the digital system.