Eleven digit to call locally

By Cole Parsons

The dialing change is in preparation for the Bay area's first "overlay" area code, 669, which will go into effect Jan. 8, 2000.

The only change to which students will have to adapt is remembering to dial 11 digits instead of seven, even when calling their next-door neighbors or using the university's telephone registration system from off campus. Students who live in residence halls will still be able to dial the 4-digit extension for on-campus calls, but will also need to dial 12 digits to call off campus. Some Santa Clara students were disconcerted when informed of the change "It's one more thing to have to think about," junior Sarah Naumes said. "It's just an inconvenience."

Others, like freshman Katie Tolan, are not too worried. Tolan is from Seattle, a city which split from one area code to four last winter and now requires the same dialing scheme. "People will get used to it," Tolan said. "After awhile it becomes a habit."

Women's Soccer Assistant Coach Brandi Chastain is featured in a local advertising campaign to help inform San Jose area residents of the upcoming change. Callers who forget to dial one plus the area code after Oct. 2 will be greeted by an automated reminder, and will have to redial the number.

The reason for the change is the 408 area code is running out of usable telephone numbers due to the demand for cellular phones, new telephone lines, pagers and computer modems. This prompted the California Public Utilities Commission to introduce the new overlay area code of 669.

After Jan. 8, the 669 area code may be assigned to customers within the 408 area code who order new or additional service. For now, all campus facilities stand to retain the 408 area code.