Campus-wide wireless internet access is a possibility in the next five years. The question is will it be worth having wireless internet in the Residence Halls? Currently there are numerous designated places that have wireless internet access. The key concern is where students would benefit most from wireless internet access. Several students and faculty put forth their views on wireless internet as the technological landscape changes – sometimes too fast to follow.
Last year, the student IT committee created an online IT survey that tried to gauge feedback from Dominican students about technological initiatives and student usage levels. According to Jill Albin-Hill, Director of Information Technology, 657 students responded to the survey with 37% being residents and 63% being commuters.
For the “Where would you like to see wireless accessibility on campus?” question, residence hall rooms had the highest percentage with 38.8% while the second highest was 36.6 % for classrooms. Also, residence hall lounges came in at 10.9%, though it was beat out by the ‘Other’ category, (12%) which Albin-Hill believes refers to outside wireless access.
Regarding wireless internet access in the classrooms, Albin-Hill thinks this may be more beneficial since “all students would benefit” from the access not just residents. Another factor is how faculty teach their classes and if there is a need for students to bring their laptops to class.
Campus-wide wireless internet access is in the five year technology strategic plan, according to Albin-Hill. IT is looking into how to best integrate technology and where to take technology at DU based on where technology will go in the near future. For a wireless campus, it will cost around $40,000 according to Albin-Hill. A main priority for wireless internet is insuring that Clean Access Agent will work with it for network security purposes. Albin-Hill wants to make sure that IT has the capacity to handle wireless internet and maintain network security.
According to Rob Babcock, Director of Residence Life, he sees it as IT “having the ability to shut someone down.” During Babcock’s seven years working in Residence Life, he has seen his share of students not using the school-provided internet access appropriately. “We have had situations where students acted unethically and/or illegally with their school-provided internet access, so IT wants to have the option to shut it down if necessary,” says Babcock. One example took place three or four years ago where resident student used the school-provided internet access in their room to run an online business. Another resident student shared large files through the internet connection.
Over the last six years though, IT was able to “increase university internet capacity by 800%” according to Albin-Hill. This means that there has been a significant increase in internet bandwidth since the time that Albin-Hill started working at Dominican in August 2003. Even with this, IT is looking into continual improvement of the technology on campus. One of the main focuses is making Clean Access Agent more flexible with mobile devices like cell phones. To contact IT, go to: Information Technology website.
According to Babcock, wireless internet access in the rooms issue is not brought up often – only once or twice a year. “ It comes up from time to time, but I wouldn’t label it a ‘hot’ issue,” Babcock said. To contact Residence Life, visit their myDU page: Residence Life website.
Steve Bala, a junior resident and a member of last year’s student IT committee, does not think having wireless internet in the residence halls is the best decision. At least five to eight wireless routers must be placed in each residence hall and residents have to “worry about people hacking their signal, viruses and possible corruption” Bala said.
Though Coughlin Hall has an easily accessible drop ceiling while other residence halls like Centennial or Power Halls have plastered ceilings. One would need to “knock down a wall or ceiling” to get the router placed. Also, residents have to contend with drop signals – similar to the poor cell phone signal receptivity in certain areas on campus. If there is a router problem, someone would have to go up to the ceiling to fix the problem, which is time-consuming.
Jaron Salazar, a sophomore and Resident Student Association president, says that the Residence Halls going wireless is an issue that “Residence Life has on the drawing board.” Last year, the idea for wireless internet in the halls was thrown out there. This involves addressing issues on how much it would cost, how far wireless would reach and how everyone would adapt to the change. There was an idea involving extension of the wireless internet access from the Cyber Café to the residence halls or if “a wireless transmitter closer to the dorms” is a better option. Salazar thinks that wireless would be “more beneficial than being stuck in one room” and it will allow residents to “be more mobile.”
Amy Preston, junior and RSA secretary agrees, “It will add another convenience to residents” and provide “increased mobility” whereas previously residents “were stuck at their desks.” To contact Resident Student Association, you can visit their myDU page: Resident Student Association.
“I think hard line (Ethernet cable) is better than wireless because you’re not relying on the signal,” Bala said. If getting a good wireless signal for cell phone within the halls is not easy, then what does this say about wireless internet access? “It would require a different set of rules compared to what we have right now,” says Bala.
“Basically what it comes down to is time, money and money” Bala said. Despite the pros and cons of wireless internet access, if the five-year technology strategic plan works out; then the whole campus will be wireless – Residence Halls included.
For more related links:
IT Policy Manual
To voice any student concerns, go to the Dean of Students Office.
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