Cell phone use is so accepted now that it is almost impossible to walk anywhere or do anything without hearing someone's ring tone, as well as their cell phone conversation. In the grocery store, in the cafeteria, and in most public spaces, people have a cell phone at the ready.

Do you text, do myspace or Facebook?  These are all new in the last several years, and the list of technology that you can use for personal entertainment and to keep up with friends is ever-expanding.  Many of these applications are now available on cell phones. 

As part of the college experience, you will probably use or own a cell phone, but just like anything else, there are some manners to follow when using your cell phone so you don't end up making enemies of your friends, your roommate -- or most importantly -- your professors!  Here is a partial list:

1. Silence your phone when in a gathering, such as chapel, or class. Nothing is more distracting than hearing a ring tone in a quiet room.  Your professors will begin to think you don't care, and you don't want to upset your professors.
2. Don't talk on your phone during class. Most students have the sense not to do this-- but only most. How would you feel if someone called your professor during class and she took the call while she was trying to teach you?
3. If possible, check your vibe settings on your phone.  Some phones have such a strong vibe setting that even silenced, they are distracting.
4. Do not text your friends or browse the web while in class.  Nothing says "I don't care" more than sending texts or shopping online during class, which in turn may earn you the opportunity to take and pay for your most boring classes all over again.
5. Don't irritate your roommate with your conversations, especially if it is study time in your room.  Cell phones are mobile!
6. Silence your phone at night.  Your roommate will appreciate not being disturbed by the "Theme from Mario Brothers" at 3 a.m.
7. When talking on a cell phone, speak in a regular voice.  Yelling into your cell phone makes it hard for anyone else to be in the room during your conversations.
8. Do not call anyone after reasonable hours unless you are in trouble.  Just because you can does not mean you should.  Setting up a healthy boundary here is a step toward maturity.  What is an acceptable time to stop calling and texting friends?  You will need to determine this and stick to it.  This shows that you respect your friends and family.  It also keeps you out of trouble when you accidentally misdial and speak to an irate Fred instead of sweet Carrie at 2 a.m.!
9. Put the phone down and talk to your fellow students. Class ends, and most of the students reach for their cell phones as they walk out the door. Take some time to chat with other students and the professor. Give one other person by your side your complete attention, rather than only giving them a faint nod now and then as you text and walk to your next destination.  Enjoy the comraderie of those around you who just took the same test or are on the way to lunch, too.
10. Take a break from your cell phone when in the library or other designated quiet place. That speaks for itself.

NNU students and employees may take advantage of the NNU corporate discount on their personal Verizon cell phone plan.  The only stipulation is that the person who is the "owner" of the cell phone plan must have an NNU email address.

If you have a current family share plan, this discount can even be applied to the main phone number on that family plan, if the plan is in the name of the NNU employee or student who signs up for the discount using their NNU email address.

To sign up for this great offer on an existing personal account, go to www.verizonwireless.com/getdiscount. 

(Only students or NNU employees who sign up with their NNU email address will qualify for the NNU corporate discount.)

Important Notes on Obtaining this Discount:

1. The web address to sign up for the discount is www.verizonwireless.com/getdiscount.  An email is then sent to the email you used to validate your account for the discount (Example: Jadoe@nnu.edu).
   
2. When opening the email with GroupWise webmail: When you open the reply email from Verizon to get started and register your account, you need to right click on the "Getting Started" link provided in the email, and select "Open link in a new window."  Otherwise, the link tries to open inside the webmail box, and the Verizon site will say "Your session has timed out."
3. When students put in their email address, the discount site will not recognize (at)student.nnu.edu as a valid email address for the discount.  Drop the word "student" to get it to function correctly.  For example, a student email would be simply jadoe(at)nnu.edu.  (Don't worry -- your discount will be applied correctly, and the confirmation email will arrive to you without "student" in the email address.)
4. If a student or employee signs up and they have a Family Share Plan, the name on the account must correspond with email address supplied when applying for the discount.  If the one applying is a student but the account is in the name of their parent who is not a student or employee of NNU, the discount cannot be applied.  Some families have opted to change the name on their family share plan to the NNU student or employee name so they can get the discount, but this may not always be feasible or even possible