On Campus · Vassar College

Vol. 25, No. 5, Feburary 5, 2007

Spreading the Message

Spreading the Message

It's hard to believe that 12 years ago, the college had one central fax machine. "It was running all the time," recalls Cassie McIntyre, who sat across from it as it hummed incessantly during her shifts at the Message Center. "People were lined up, and some would come every day to send a fax, but they'd always need help." Back in the days before the Internet and cell phones, the Message Center was hopping. Packages and flowers filtered through the office.

The operators also received and forwarded all messages, scheduled fire drills, handled maintenance issues, handed out keys, and collected and stamped exams and papers for professors. "The switchboard never stopped. It was a mad house, but I loved it." more...