Education briefs
Advertiser Staff
Cable project complete at dorms
Students living in the University of Hawai'i's residence halls and apartments now have access to high-speed Internet and cable TV service with the completion of a $5.3 million wiring project.
Students will pay an additional $90 in fees beginning with the fall semester 2003 to cover the cost of the wiring project, to be paid off over seven years. The amount will cover a $50 increase in the technology fee and a $40 per-semester cable TV fee.
Prior to the wiring project no cable TV service was available in student housing. Local programming from antennas mounted on the roof was available in residence halls with common TV lounges. Now students have high-speed Internet and cable TV access in rooms and apartments, as well as lounges.
The wiring contract sparked some controversy last year when it was awarded to Verizon Hawai'i. Instead of asking for competitive bids, the university amended a telecommunications contract it has had since 1988 with Verizon and its predecessor, GTE Hawaiian Telephone.
Competitors claimed the university might have saved money if the contract had been opened to bidding. But a UH spokesman said the final price negotiated, was equitable for the amount of work needed, and that the work would be done quickly.
The programming service for providing cable TV throughout the housing was competitively bid, with Oceanic being awarded the contract.
The wiring covered 1,800 student apartments and dorms, and explained in part a 15 percent to 20 percent increase in dorm rates approved by the Board of Regents last April.
Oscar Mayer seeks contest entrants
Kraft Foods Hawai'i is calling for entries for the annual Oscar Mayer Talent Search School House Jam contest. One school in Hawai'i will win $10,000 and be entered as a finalist to win the grand prize of an additional $15,000 for its school music department.
Teachers are asked to send in an entry form, student permission slips and a videotape of five or more of their students singing Oscar Mayer's "Wiener Jingle," "Bologna Song" or "Spanish Jingle."
Last year, Linda Weyman's students at Sacred Hearts Academy won $10,000 for their music program for their rendition of the "Wiener Jingle" and "Bologna Song."
The Hawai'i winner will be notified by April 30 and announced to the public May 30. The grand prize winner also will be featured in an ad in People magazine.
Schools may submit more than one entry, but each must be comprised of different students. Costumes and props may be used but are not required. Also, the quality of the videotape will not be judged.
All entry materials and rules are available by calling (800) 672-2754 or at oscarmayer.com or menc.org.
Lincoln Day event set for 'Ewa school
'Ewa Elementary School will celebrate its 59th annual Lincoln Day program on Wednesday.
Students will drape the school's historic Lincoln statue with flower lei. Performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band and the students highlight the annual program, a tradition since the statue was brought to the school campus in 1944. The program begins at 8:45 a.m.
For more information, call the school at 681-8202.
