By Aja Smith
In the midst of the vibrant energy and rigorous academics that define campus life in East Falls during the 2023-2024 school year, one notable challenge remains unresolved—the persistent struggle with the campus Wi-Fi. Despite the semester being well underway, connectivity issues continue to disrupt the daily routines of students and faculty alike. Since the return of students, the IT Help Desk in the Gutman Library basement has been inundated with requests for Wi-Fi assistance. Nearly two months later, the frustration of intermittent connectivity persists, raising concerns about its impact on the campus community. For students, this means dropped connections during critical moments, such as taking notes in lectures or attempting timed exams on Canvas. In one instance, paper exams were printed in case the connection dropped during the first round of Anatomy and Physiology lab practicals.
Artwork by Alexis Leone
Frustration is at an all-time high with Wi-Fi because the connection constantly cuts out and interrupts students' work.
“It’s so frustrating trying to keep up with my lectures when my Wi-Fi goes out every ten minutes. I miss out on a lot of content,” said junior Mary Lauersen.
On-campus residents face obstacles in submitting assignments from their dorms or staying in touch with their families via FaceTime. Phones show the SOS symbol because their data sometimes does not work on campus, either. Faculty members encounter delays in starting classes and disruptions to their lectures, all due to the unreliable Wi-Fi. Efforts are being made by the university's IT department to address the issue with ongoing collaboration with Cisco Systems, Inc., the university’s Wi-Fi vendor. Emails through Outlook are being sent by the IT department, in which students and faculty are encouraged to seek wired network access as a temporary workaround.
“For students, this means dropped connections during critical moments, such as taking notes in lectures or attempting timed exams on Canvas.”
While the university expresses its commitment to resolving these connectivity problems, some may argue that a more substantial investment in hardware upgrades is needed to align with modern Wi-Fi standards and accommodate future technological advancements effectively. In response to these challenges, the campus community has shown remarkable resilience in the face of technology issues. To enact lasting change, the key lies in collective action and sustained pressure. Students and faculty can join forces to advocate for tangible solutions, leveraging their influence to bring attention to the issue and promote the importance of reliable Wi-Fi in teaching and research.
“It feels like I’ve spent more time in the Gutman library basement than I have connected to the university’s Wi-Fi,” said sophomore Stella Bernhard.
As the academic year continues, the university must continue to work on the immediate Wi-Fi woes and may need to invest in a network infrastructure that can truly support the dynamic and technology-driven campus of the future.
Comments