2008 Woodie Awards
Additional Wi-Fi available at WU
By: Anthony Sodd
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
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The campus is not completely covered by wireless internet, but many areas where student's congregate are Wi-Fi hotspots. The Quad, both lounges in the Sverdrup building, Marletto's Marketplace, Jazzman's Café and the upper floor of the University Center are often filled with students using Wi-Fi.
Vice President of Internet Technology Larry Haffner said that there are currently no plans to make the campus completely wireless, but areas that need wireless are being prioritized.
"Every time I've used wireless here, it's worked," said senior advertising major Kensuke Kajita at the Cyber Café in the Emerson Library. "Sometimes the server is down, but it's getting less and less."
Wireless networks do not run off a single wireless access point in the middle of the campus. Instead they rely on a network of access points strategically placed around campus to maximize their usefulness, Haffner said.
"Maybe wireless in the upper level of the library would be nice, it's quiet up there," Kajita said. "There's some places in Sverdrup where I can't get Wi-Fi in my classrooms."
New additions are the H. Sam Priest Building, Cecille R. Hunt House, the west wing of the Sverdrup building, as well as the Stage III theatre, Biology Labs 5 and 7 and the chemistry lab in Webster Hall.
"There are challenges because of the way the buildings were constructed," Haffner said. "The technology is getting cheaper, but the biggest cost (of wireless) is running the wiring."
Some of the buildings at Webster were built before wireless Internet and are not easily updated.
"The old buildings are a challenge," Haffner said.
At the moment, none of the dorms are equipped with wireless, though Ethernet jacks are provided for every resident in every room.
"There's a port-per-pillow, so that every resident can have their own connection," Haffner said. "When we get ready to remodel Maria Hall, we may put in wireless," Haffner said.
Some residents feel Ethernet is not ideal for the dorms.
"I work with what I have," said freshmen photography major Allison Knotts, who lives in Loretto Hall. "I do kind of feel deprived when I go to other facilities that have Wi-Fi."
Ethernet cables limit the user's mobility to the length of the cable.
"Ethernet is fine when I have my computer on my desk, but when I lay on my bed it'd be nice to have Wi-Fi," said audio production major and West Hall resident Jordan Howe. "It would make sense to have campus-wide Wi-Fi."
Future wireless hotspots are being considered for extended campuses. Webster campuses Winghaven and Westport in St. Louis area are most likely next in line, Haffner said.
"I'm not going to put a number figure on how much it would cost to make the whole campus wireless, " Haffner said.
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