According to the Federal Communications Commission, an estimated 61 percent of 18-to-24-year olds carry cell phones.
The FCC estimates about 5 percent of the country has dropped its telephone landlines in exchange for cell phone use.
Dave Herzel, Zimmerman Library circulation manager, said the growing trend of cell phone use on campus is what prompted the libraries at UNM to create a cell phone policy. The policy allows cell phone use in the first-floor lobby only.
Herzel said it has alleviated a lot of complaints from students studying in the quiet areas.
"I don't think we've seen a lot of problems since we created the policy," he said. "Once people became aware of the problem, they started respecting the idea."
Jeff Pearson, a graduate assistant in the Department of History, has also noticed a decrease of cell phone use during inappropriate times. He said the number of times his classes have been interrupted due to cell phones ringing has gone down significantly over the past couple of years.
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"I'd estimate that cell phones have gone off about two to three times a semester," he said. "Cell phone etiquette is seeping in. Most people know when to have their phones on and when to have them off."
Most professors don't like cell phones going off in the middle of class, and some are tougher than others.
Pearson said the general rule for his classroom is to turn off all cell phones before class starts, but he realizes some students have complex lives.
"There are extenuating circumstances that I will let someone answer their phone," he said, "But they have to notify me beforehand."
Kyle Blade said he knows why there is an abundance of people constantly on cell phones while walking on campus.
"I think they're faking it," he said. "They get nervous walking."
Sophomore Stephanie Hanks agreed with Blade. She said it bothers her to see so many people on their phones.
"Why be on the phone when you can talk to someone new?" she said.
James Caswell said he uses his phone for more practical reasons.
"I call people to get a ride home, or just to tell my friends I'm out of class," he said.
