Word Processors

Only a small fraction of House residents use the University's coin-operated word processors and about 75 percent of those do not cite the machines' high cost--$2 per hour--according to a recent survey by the Office for Information Technology (OIT).

The word processors are now being used only half as much as is needed for them to break even, and because of students' lack of interest, the University is considering relocating many of the terminals and allowing students to charge computer costs on their term bills instead of depositing two quarters every 15 minutes.

However, unless use of the word processors increases sharply, the price will not come down, said Marcus R. van Bsalen '66 of the OIT.

The survey also showed that almost half of all undergraduates write their papers on some kind of computer, and 22 percent of that group uses the Science Center system.