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University to institute wireless improvements
BOBBY BURCH
bburch@kansan.com
After meeting with student body President Libby Johnson and Vice President Gabe Bliss, University IT began a project to expand wireless internet to frequently used areas of campus. The wireless expansion, which will continue throughout the fall semester, will eventually reach areas including Jayhawk Boulevard, Wescoe beach and Potter Lake.
As students settle in for the new academic year, the University of Kansas' department of Information and Technology is busy improving services and telecommunication around campus.
However, as IT expands wireless to new areas of campus, some students have expressed concerns about the University's existing WiFi internet access.
"It's terrible," Erickson wrote. "From experience, it only works in certain areas and even then it's slow and cuts out."
Ann Erickson, a senior from Tonganoxie, replied to a University Daily Kansan inquiry on student wireless experience so far this year.
Patrick Henke, a senior from Olathe, expressed similar concerns about KU's wireless reliability.
"We have problems in our room where it cuts in and out," Henke said.
In an effort to provide better service and more efficient technology support, University IT hired the Huron Consulting Group Inc., to review its technology services around campus in the summer of 2010. The group's report outlined that:
The University is behind the curve in terms of supporting technology-enhanced teaching in the classroom.
Julie Loats, director of Enterprise Applications and Services for University IT, said that the merger of University IT and IDS will help
— Classroom standards have not been set, resulting in variable capabilities.
Overall need for more consistent consulting-level support for faculty and students related to technologies.
In an email notifying University deans, directors and department chairs of the new changes, Diane Goddard, Vice Provost for Administration and Finance, wrote that: "By fall 2011, we hope that the plan for increased academic technology support will be well on its way to filling the gap at KU."
Following Huron's recommendations, the University's Instructional Development Services (IDS) merged its operations with the IT department, taking effect last spring.
"It brings all of those staff together so it can be a more focused and holistic approach to classroom support," Loats said.
Loats said that University IT hopes to further its service efforts by offering Blackboard technology support to students.
"One of the things we heard last spring loud and clear was that students didn't feel they had a place to go if they needed help with blackboard," Loats said. "With this merger wed like to be able to provide more support for students."
provide comprehensive technology support for students and faculty.
- Edited by Jayson Jenks
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CROSSWORD 8 OPINION 7 SUDUK 4
All contents, unless stated otherwise. © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
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