Spartans now have another excuse to play on their computers. Many professors are opting to skip the paper and ink and use electronic resources to provide syllabi to students this fall.

Being able to access a class syllabus online is both cost-effective and time-saving for the university and students.

Students will not have to worry about misplacing or losing syllabi.

They will also be able to check up on what's going on in the course should an unexpected absence pop up.

Having syllabi online also allows professors to update information in case the class falls behind on topics.

With professors utilizing online tools such as Blackboard and the new ANGEL system, students have 24-hour access to class lists, reading requirements and message boards.

Although online syllabi are not yet required of professors, they are becoming more common as a way to cut costs and integrate technology in and outside of the classroom.

"It's very widespread now," MSU geography Professor Jack Williams said of using electronic media instead of paper. "Some departments are moving in that direction. It just saves resources."

Now that all incoming freshmen must have a computer when they arrive at MSU, there should be no excuse why Web resources should not be used more widely.

Regardless of whether the information is print or electronic, it has to still be made available to students, according to university policy found in "Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide" and providing it online is a simple way to accomplish that responsibility.

Some students might feel better holding a hard copy of their class coursepack.

But in this age of technology, it makes more sense economically and ecologically to save both money and paper.

If the technology is available, it might as well be used.