In addition, Martin notes that the schools willlikely end up financing the bulk of their computerimprovements separately.

Accordingly, many of the faculties are alreadyacting independently to network on their own.

The Medical School, for instance, has had arather extensive high-speed data network in placefor over a year, says Fitchett.

The network has made it possible for studentsto access software programs that aid study and forthe school to share information with four of itspartner hospitals.

In its final report, to be issued later thismonth, the FAS committee will recommend that allof FAS--dormitories and other unlinkedbuildings--be hooked up to a high-speed datanetwork, according to Martin.

"Networking is something we think is importantand we hope can be done quickly," Martin says.

Determining `Critical Mass'

But before committing millions of dollars tothe installation of a network system and hiringthe extra support personnel to maintain such asystem, administrators say they must be certainthat people will actually use it.

One question that concerns both Hall and Nolanis that of "critical mass." Nolan says that thoughstudents and faculty are increasingly computerliterate, he is great enough immediate demand fornetwork services.

"How would this University, given the costissue...get value form our investment?" asksNolan.

Essential to creating an increased demand forthe network will be making it as user-friendly aspossible, says Steen.

It is important "to have more people becomeaware of what tools and services are available tohelp them do their thing," Hall says.

The pilot network in the four houses has metwith mixed success, says Brenner.

Brenner says that because the network FAS hasinstalled in the houses uses an "ancientprotocol," the system is very slow and itsfeatures are not as comprehensive as many studentswould like. The system is only accessible byMacintosh computers. And FAS charges students a$12 monthly fee to use the network system.

Therefore, few students chose to subscribe tothe network last year.