January 30, 2018
Sarah Bubke
The Office of Information Technology is looking to expand WiFi on campus. The department is focusing on increasing coverage away from buildings and into the outdoor spaces that students utilize, according to Kevin Wolf project manager with OIT.
“We want to make Wi-Fi as seamless between buildings as we can so that students can interact on campus and engage with technology wherever they are,” said Wolf.
The first Wi-Fi expansions began last semester with the residence halls. OIT hope to have the expansions completed by the fall 2018 semester.
Harper Johnson, associate vice chancellor for Information Technology, estimates that the overall project will cost around $200,000. A closer estimate will be determined after the vendor surveys.
UCCS currently has 1,400 access points to the two wireless networks, UCCS-Wireless and UCCS-Guest, on campus. All students, faculty and staff can access the networks.
Wi-Fi connections will be included along the spine and around University Hall, the Family Development Center, the ROTC building and soccer field and “green” spaces on campus.
The OIT chose these locations after receiving feedback from students, staff, and faculty. According to Wolf, students are most interested in having WiFi.
“Everyone has Wi-Fi now. It’s almost like a utility, so people expect it in these areas,” said Wolf.
Wi-Fi hardware will be installed in areas that the school will be moving into in the future, allowing for one installation project instead of multiple. This makes the installation process more efficient and cost effective, according to Wolf.
“We are also implementing this in other parts of the campus because we know that the school will be expanding into those areas in the future,” he said.
OIT is also working to supply Wi-Fi on the shuttles, according to Johnson.
“A lot of students commute and take the shuttles between U. Hall all the way to north campus, and this will help them stay connected wherever they are at,” said Johnson.
Vendors will come to campus in the next couple of months to view the expansion areas. The companies will propose what they can offer and how much it will cost, and OIT will choose the most efficient plan.
As well as efficiency, they are also considering how the technology will look on the buildings.
“We are working with the more traditional architectural side to make sure that it is aesthetically appealing, and it is not an ugly technological eyesore attached to all of these buildings,” said Wolf.
Students with questions about the project are encouraged email the OIT at [email protected].