If work continues as they have been, mid-Michigan could soon be brought up to speed on the information superhighway thanks to the help of MSU's services. Project Anaconda is connecting fiber optics throughout the area in the hopes of attracting more businesses and city residents to using the university's Ethernet capabilities and access.
While the project was presented to the Board of Trustees in February, one trustee has just now voiced her concerns that the undertaking could be unfair to private businesses.
Trustee Colleen McNamara hopes to stall fiber-optics venture Friday by having the board vote to require its approval for any future progress of the project. She says it is unfair to private businesses if MSU offers off-campus Internet services, and believes it is not profitable because "they're chasing after a business that hasn't yet developed." Although her concerns over the university accepting a venture that might cause competition with local businesses are understandable, McNamara shouldn't prevent the advent of technological growth and development.
MSU stands to reap enormous benefits from the establishment of Project Anaconda by providing a faster service than local business is willing or able to provide. There is no reason mid-Michigan should be forced to wait for advanced technology to make its way from San Diego when MSU is in its back yard. So far, there has been no major Internet company clamoring to offer Lansing better access and connect the area with the rest of the country. Those companies seem to be more concerned with bringing technological advances to metropolitan areas and major cities to connect them with the modern world and gain economic rewards.
Some competition might come about if MSU offers high-speed Internet access off campus because the university could offer service at a lower cost compared to other businesses. There is the possibility that other businesses offering Internet access could be hurt by the venture.
It is interesting that McNamara has been the only one on the Board of Trustees to speak out against MSU's implied monopoly over communication access. McNamara also happens to serve as executive director of the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association.
While she has no conflict of interest in the matter as far as legal terms are concerned, the fact that she is the only board member to speak out against the project because of reasons of profit paints an ill portrait. Although McNamara might not stand to profit if MSU backs away from Internet provider market, the people she represents through her profession do.
McNamara should not forget that it is her first duty as a trustee to represent the best interests in Michigan residents, not the business people she is paid to represent in the professional world. While McNamara has an impeccable record of being a student voice on the board and has done nothing to bring her integrity into question in the past, this topic is unique. And its overtones don't look kindly to McNamara's position.
With its Internet capabilities, MSU has the opportunity to bring technology to mid-Michigan and compel economic growth simultaneously. Though Project Anaconda, MSU might very well help its community, which is the whole purpose of a land-grant institution.
MSU should move ahead and link the area with the rest of the world.
