Associated Students of the University of Washington
Student Senate
Session 16
 

A Resolution for Encouraging Google to Include the University District in Seattle in its Fiber Optic Network Experiment

WHEREAS Google recently announced that it would be including between 50,000 and 500,000 homes in an experiment designed to bring high-speed fiber optic internet to home users in various communities[1]; and

WHEREAS the internet speeds on the proposed network will approach or exceed one gigabit per second (1 Gbps), substantially faster than other connections most individuals have access to currently; and

WHEREAS Google is soliciting online feedback from community organizations and local governments in determining which communities will be included in this experiment; and

WHEREAS having access to high-speed internet connections provide clear benefits to individuals in work, education, and recreation; and

WHEREAS individuals with some college education and those with a Bachelors degree or higher are the most likely to use the internet out of all education categories[2]; and

WHEREAS the University District in Seattle contains a high number of individuals within these two categories; and

WHEREAS this provides a more concentrated pool of likely internet users for any new service; and

WHEREAS the addition of any new service will increase competition in the local broadband market; and

WHEREAS all applications must be submitted no later than March 26th, 2010; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON:

THAT the ASUW shall make it a goal to encourage Google to include the University District in Seattle in their fiber optic network; and

THAT to this end the ASUW Student Senate Chair, Vice Chair, Membership Coordinator, and all committee chairs submit an application to Google on the behalf of the ASUW Student Senate using the appropriate application online[3]; and

THAT each member of the ASUW Board of Directors also submit an application on the behalf of the ASUW; and

THAT the ASUW requests that both the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and the Faculty Senate submit applications on behalf of their respective organizations; and

THAT the ASUW requests that University of Washington President Mark Emmert submit an application on behalf of the University as a whole; and

THAT the ASUW requests that each member of the University of Washington Board of Regents submit applications on behalf of the University as well; and

THAT the ASUW requests that Seattle City Mayor Mike McGinn, the members of the Seattle City Council, King County Executive Dow Constantine, the members of the King County Council, State Senator Ed Murray, State Representative Jamie Pedersen, State Representative Frank Chopp, Congressman Jim McDermott, Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray, and Governor Christine Gregoire all submit applications on the behalf of their respective offices; and

THAT the ASUW requests that all aforementioned individuals or organizations consider other manners in which they might encourage Google to include the University District in Seattle in its fiber optic network; and

THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all aforementioned individuals or organizations.

[1] http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/

[2] http://www.ntia.doc.gov/data/CPSTables/t11_1lst.txt

[3] http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options

History of Legislation

02/21/2010: Submitted for consideration

Legislation ID:
R-16-21

Date Submitted:
02/21/2010

Sponsor:
Matthew D. Zemek

Cosponsor(s):