2008 Woodie Awards
Expanding Wireless Throughout Wilf Campus
Yoni Kaplan
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Science & Technology
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Information Technology Services at Yeshiva University revealed plans to broaden the range of the wireless network on campus. The project aims to supplement the signal of the current hotspots in the Gottesman Library, Belfer Hall, first floor lounges in the residence halls and in several locations on the Beren Campus. Vice President of Information Technology Marc Milstein said that "ITS is committed to expanding wireless connectivity throughout the Wilf Campus."
Once completed, the system will allow students and faculty to access the Internet from anywhere on university grounds. Without the worry of whether they are in range of the current network, faculty and students with notebook computers will be able to carry out necessary tasks such as quickly checking an email.
Teachers and students have expressed concern about being able to access their work throughout the day from anywhere on campus. Tal Ovadia, an accounting major, says that "not being able to check my email or download assignments between classes can be very frustrating and YU should focus on making sure this becomes a possibility."
In this sense, educational institutions across the country are keeping up with technology in order to raise the bar for education. Milstein points out that "ubiquitous computing has emerged as a dominant trend among college campuses." Most campuses that mark enrolled undergraduates in the tens of thousands find it a necessity for students to have complete access. But, like YU, other schools such as University of Illinois and even Columbia University, are still en route to becoming fully wireless.
Rumors emerged that YU planned to have the network completed over the summer in hopes of a renewed campus ready for another term. But, as anyone would notice, this is not the case. Students still scrounge to get a signal from classrooms in Furst Hall or even in their dorm rooms because the pilot wireless installation was not originally intended to cover these areas.
When asked about these rumors, Mr. Milstein said that any such rumors were completely "without substance." He goes on to say that "no specific plans were made and no operational activities to implement such procedures have occurred." Milstein explains that the process of installing a system that can send a strong enough signal throughout the campus requires more than a router and some cables. The preparations of examining the campus and deciding which installation company to hire, take time to organize.
Mr. Milstein, along with ITS, is working to complete the networks within the Cardozo School of Law and the Einstein School of Medicine. No definite date has been given for completing the process on the undergraduate campuses but he says he "would like to have everything up and working at the Wilf and Beren campuses by the start of the Fall 2008 semester." However, before complete coverage in all the classrooms and other areas will be rolled out, there does need to be a consensus among faculty and other administrative units that wireless connectivity will actually be a positive enhancement to the academic experience. Other changes for network access are still taking place on university property. According to Milstein, YU is continuously upgrading all network equipment and strengthening network connections.