U.VA. STUDENT COUNCIL TAKES 
INNOVATIVE STEP IN ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 30 -- The University of
Virginia's tradition of student self-governance is taking an
innovative step in technology.  The U.Va. Student Council now has
its own network server to help student organizations reduce costs
while communicating electronically.
	The new Student Council Server, exclusively owned and
administered by students, may be the first of its kind in the
nation, according to Sam Miller, an intern in U.Va.'s Information
Technology and Communication (ITC).
	"While other institutions have similar arrangements, none
rely so completely on student self-governance and student
ownership," Miller said.
	The new server, purchased and installed by ITC, will
function as a major electronic communications resource for all
student organizations officially recognized by the University.  (A
server is a computer with advanced capabilities attached to a
network and shared with a group of users.)
	Student organizations will be able to publish web pages on
the Internet and establish electronic mail addresses for their
organizations.  Although many organizations have accounts on
academic or administrative servers, the Student Council Server will
enable all student organizational accounts to be consolidated onto
one network.  The server will also provide increased access to the
organization's web sites through direct links on U.Va.'s home page.
	ITC first considered such a server in 1994 when staff
noticed a significant increase in requests for computer accounts
from student organizations.  "The idea of a student-administered
server began to emerge as the best solution," Miller said.
	Student Council created a committee last year to explore the
use of information technology.  At the same time, it limited funding
for printing paper documents.  Consequently, student organizations
have been encouraged to use electronic networking for communication.
	In response to the student initiatives, ITC staff worked
with Student Council to explore issues and define relationships to
bring the server into operation.  While policies are being
finalized, several student organizations are being transferred to
the new server for a trial period during spring semester.
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March 29, 1996
	For more information, contact Sam Miller at (804) 924-7984.
Television reporters should contact our TV News Office at (804)
924-7550.