UA works with cellular companies for revenue

Some cellular phone companies that have placed antennas on UA buildings in the past year have paid site rental, Chief Budget Officer Dick Roberts said.

The money, which was put into an endowment fund, is now generating thousands of dollars to help pay for staff education.

U S West, one of three cellular phone service providers that have towers on the UA campus, signed a 20-year contract last year and paid $150,000 up front for each of its two sites.

The money went into an endowment fund that should generate about $18,500 in interest this year and at least $2,000 in interest each additional year. About $336,000 is now in the fund, Roberts said.

Beginning next semester, the money will be used to help classified university staff buy books and pay for day care and tuition. Classified staff includes all UA personnel except faculty, administrators and professionals.

"It gives us a source of financial aid to direct to staff to return to the classroom," Roberts said. "I think if you can help just a little bit at the margin, people can make real improvements in their life."

AT&T and Sprint also have contracts with the UA, which is negotiating with Western Wireless to place an antenna atop the Main Library, he said.

The cellular antennas, located in areas ranging from the Swede Johnson Building to UA's Science and Technology Park near Interstate 10 and Santa Rita Road, provide reception for the campus and surrounding areas, Roberts said.

Last week, Sprint placed a "Cell-on-Wheels" tower behind the Memorial Student Union. Sprint pays the UA $592 plus the cost of electricity each month for the tower, which takes up three metered parking spaces.

It will remain there for another 60 to 90 days until an antenna is permanently mounted at the Education building, Roberts said. When the tower is in place and a contract is signed, Sprint will shell out an amount similar to what the other companies pay, Roberts said.

Sprint, which owns 40 cellular towers in Tucson, needed another tower, officials said.

"The site at the UA campus is a fill-in site that will help us provide better service to the UA area," said Bob Kelley, director of marketing for Sprint.

Cellular antennas are often colored to blend in with buildings, making them less noticeable, Roberts said. "Once somebody points them out, then you notice them," he said.

That was the case for biochemistry junior Bobby Bodrogligeti, who had not noticed the tower behind the Student Union, although he spends 10 to 12 hours a week eating and studying there.

"When I'm on campus, I go to class," Bodrogligeti said. "I guess I don't notice it because I'm too busy."