After delays of more than a month, the UA and Tucson Cablevision Inc. are in the final stages of a contract that will put basic cable television in campus residence halls.

Steve Gilmore, assistant director of the Department of Residence Life, said the delays are due to each side having to abide by laws concerning cable television. The University of Arizona must follow state law while TCI must follow federal law, he said.

In July, the project had to be restructured because UA owns KUAT, a broadcast station, Gilmore said. Federal law prohibits an institution to own both a cable system and a broadcast station.

The result was a franchise agreement, which means TCI will get the franchise and run it out of the UA, Gilmore said.

"I know more about cable television than I ever wanted to know," Gilmore said of the long process of trying to get cable up and running.

With so many problems arising, Gilmore could not give an expected date when the cable service will be working.

"No one wants this up more than me," Gilmore said. "It has taken over my life and all my time currently. We have spent too much time, and we have to put this to bed."

Ken Watts, general manager of TCI in Tucson, said the UA will have a first-rate system and both sides are doing everything possible to get the system running.

Legalities have slowed down the process of getting cable into the dormitories, Watts said, but the cooperative efforts between UA and TCI have helped move the process along.

"I think that is unique and admirable that the UA is giving the service to the students," Watts said.

The university originally was looking to get cable into the halls by early October, said Jim Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life. The system is in its final testing stages and could be up any day, he said.

Cable is a luxury that the students will not have to pay extra for, he said.

Students interested in getting pay channels for their rooms will be able to, but will have to go through TCI themselves, Van Arsdel said.

It is costing the university $832,000 to install the system, he said.

Van Arsdel said that UA is not experienced with cable television and that some mistakes should be expected, which cause delays.

Students are frustrated, but are handling the situation in a calm manner, Van Arsdel said. "Our hands are tied, we are doing all that can be done. The students should know that we are not dragging our feet."

"We understand that some students are frustrated," Watts said. "But they should commend UA, not complain, because of the effort."

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