Internet fees frustrate students, faculty
By Rachel Leifer

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/NEWS01/611190310

"Several faculty members said they didn't know the university was instituting the WebCT fee before making the program part of their curricula this semester.

"That came out of the blue," said Chris Campbell, director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism, adding that in many cases WebCT probably saves students copying and book costs, and that it is a great way to communicate with students.

"But it all depends on how you're using it," he said.

Some professors who have used the program simply to give assignments said they can no longer justify using it as a casual supplement if students will be charged $30 a class for it.

Stephen Judd, Faculty Senate president-elect and associate professor of theater, said faculty were surprised by the WebCT fees.

"Some of us would like to put basic stuff like syllabi online, but not if the students have to pay for it," he said. The WebCT fee is not "graduated based on use - a one-size-fits-all fee doesn't seem reasonable."