By Jessica Coke, Additional reporting by Felix Alarcon—
Somewhere on campus, a student or a faculty member is becoming frustrated because of the unreliable and disproportionate Wi-Fi connection.
Many students have been complaining about the unpredictable Wi-Fi service- as it often conflicts with the quality and/or timeliness of their work.
“Sometimes the Wi-Fi works and sometimes it doesn’t. Some days, you can get a good connection and other days you can barely get service at all. It can really get annoying,” said Destiny Thompson, 18, Business Management, from Newark.
“While I’m waiting to actually get access to the internet, I can do a number of things. I can make phone calls, and fax papers to say the least. A lot of the time, I am not able to execute my many tasks efficiently- it can be a nuisance, and it really interferes,” said Opportunity Scholarship Program/Educational Opportunity Fund (OSP/EOF) counselor Leslie Graham- Wilson.
Professor Brian Simons of the English Department thought that, “Easy access to Wi-Fi on campus would certainly support students in the learning process. The internet is a vital instructional tool, and students should be able to use it effectively
Rajiyyah Woodson, 21, Psychology, Jersey City thought that, “ The Wi-Fi here at NJCU is really a aggravating, pertaining to my everyday college life. Sometimes, it’s a gamble to do quizzes and check my syllabus on Blackboard. What’s the purpose of promoting that the Wi-Fi is ‘Available everywhere’, when in reality it’s not?”
Not all students have issues with the Wi-Fi. Michelet Francois, 47, Math, from Linden said, “The Wi-Fi is pretty good. It can be used anywhere. Before it wasn’t like that, but now I can be anywhere on campus and get Wi-fi. I use it on my cell and laptop, it’s very convenient.”
Alyssa Vogt, 22, Education/Technology, Jersey City said, “I think the Wi-Fi is alright on campus. I use it on my laptop. Sometimes it’s slow, but overall I’m content.”
Vogt has still had issues with the Wi-fi “After Sandy, my mobile still hasn’t been connecting.”
Maman Cisse, 19, Criminal Justice major from East Orange thinks that, “The quality of free wi-fi at other universities that I have visited, is disproportionately better than the Wi-Fi here. I think that, if the Department of IT put more into implementing the Wi-Fi network, it would be better for everyone.”
“Because of the ongoing internet connection issues, sometimes I don’t even feel like doing my assignments. It frustrates me and sometimes I sort of get discouraged”, said Cisse.
Kianna Thornton, 22, Media Arts and Psychology major from Orange stated that, “Since I’ve been a dorm student here, I have definitely had my share of problems with the Wi-Fi connection.” Thornton is currently a resident of the 2040 apartments and she thought that, “Because time and time again I got so fed up with the internet connection, I eventually bought myself a computer router.”
Robert Scire, Associate Director for Networking and Telecommunications, encourages all students who have any issues with Wi-Fi to come in to Rossey Hall 006 for help troubleshooting their Wi-Fi.
“We’re here to help them [students],” said Scire. “We understand that sometimes that the experience in setting up the wireless on mobile devices can be difficult for some. In reality it is only a two to three minute setup to enable wireless access. If students have problems they can come in, it’s very informal and we always here to help and support them.”
The Information Technology (IT) Department can even monitor coverage across campus and has updated their Wi-Fi over the 2012 summer and made it available all over campus so students coming into the Fall 2012 would have all-over wireless access.
“We had a company come in and install wireless to cover the entire campus, so that it enhances teaching and learning on campus” said Scire. “Over the past year we’ve also upgraded the e-mail system. We monitor and enhance any technology, as needed.”
On top of improved e-mail and wireless the IT Department also has an analyzer that monitors the wireless coverage and usage.
“We see 500-600 users online everyday, sometimes upwards of 900 or more,” said Scire.
Scire reiterated that the IT Department is here to help students if they ever run into any problems with the Wi-Fi service on their laptops, tablets, phones, or other mobile devices.
Students can get information and help concerning the Wi-Fi at http://www.njcu.edu/wifi/ or go to Rossey Hall 006 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. everyday.