Cell Phone On Colleges

Date: Mar 30, 2005
Contributor: Ashlee Friedrichs

Oregon community college to regulate cell phone use

One of Oregon's community colleges will soon begin regulating the use of cellular phones on campus.
Linn-Benton Community College has been taking both staff and student input on its proposed policy for on-campus cell phone use.

But a rough guide has already been hammered out and Dean of Health and Human Services Jim Bell said he does not foresee any radical changes.

Bell said the policy was inspired by concerns that cellular phones, particularly those with text-messaging capabilities, might be used for cheating on tests.

Cell phones with imbedded cameras could also be misused to invade student privacy in locker room or restroom settings.

Already, a number of professors have already informally banned cell phones from their classrooms because the sounds can be a nuisance.

The draft guidelines, Bell said, are an attempt to present these concerns to students and inform them of school expectations.

"I'm not a big rule person," Bell said. "But I think all institutions need some kind of guidance, and I think this policy will serve a useful purpose in helping people understand the parameters and expectations that exist."

Like similar policies adopted by high schools, colleges and other institutions across the country, the latest version of the community college's draft policy asks that camera cell phones be turned off and not used in locker rooms, restrooms and other parts of campus where privacy is expected.

Cell phones in classrooms may be on but must be silenced or on vibration mode only. Students must leave the classroom to respond to calls.

The guidelines would also ban students from using cell phones during any test, quiz or student assessment.

When students return from spring break, college officials will hold two more meetings to discuss the guidelines. Then the proposed policy will be turned over to the administration for final approval, Bell said.




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