Correction appended: Sept. 25, 2012.
With more students seeking wireless Internet access for their mobile devices and other technology, ARHS and others are working to help make the switch from Ethernet to wireless in all residence halls on campus.
The Association of Residence Hall Students is working with representatives from Telecommunications and Networking Services, University Park Housing, Food Services and Residence Life, Information Technology Services and the University Park Undergraduate Association.
It is estimated that the project will cost $3 million over three years to cover University Park and all commonwealth campuses with wireless access in every room in the residence halls, said Joel Weidner, director of Information Systems for Auxiliary and Business Services.
Weidner said the price could be affected by the construction of the buildings, type of service provided and the software used.
Plans to provide wireless Internet were made to help meet the needs and expectations of students, Stan Latta, assistant vice president for housing, food services and residence life said.
“With more students having laptops and iPads, the need for mobility has increased,” Latta said. “Students have requested that ability be in the hall, so we have launched this project to implement wireless in all of our building on campus.”
UPUA Vice President Katelyn Mullen said the project will make it easier for students to work together.
“When you have friends over, they could use their own computer instead of using yours,” Mullen (senior-supply chain and information systems) said. “Sometimes teachers encourage their students to work on assignments together, and they wouldn’t have to find somewhere else to go in the library or the HUB. They can do their homework in their room.”
To ensure stability and reliability, the hard-wired Ethernet connections will remain in all of the rooms.
Weidner said they are also looking to keep the bandwidth limit unlimited to students in the future.
“Our plan is that the bandwidth will continue to be unlimited,” Weidner said. “We tested both wireless and unlimited bandwidth in a combination of buildings, and we are anticipating that it will continue to be unlimited.”
The installation of wireless in the residence halls is anticipated to start during the spring or summer 2013 semesters.
An earlier version of this article and accompanying headline incorrectly stated information about the parties working to implement wireless Internet in the residence halls. The Association of Residence Hall Students has been working on this project for several years.
