Wireless Internet 'hot spots' to be expanded by spring

By Molly Leaverton

After a groundswell of support from the university and student government, Santa Clara will expand its wireless Internet access this academic year.

The expansion project began after the university was awarded a $350,000 federal grant to help pay for wireless equipment installation that will supplement wireless access on a campus that only has a handful of existing "hot spots."

The project, which is still under review, includes plans to install access points in several new locations, including all academic buildings and most common areas.

The project is expected to be completed this spring.

Associated Students President James LaCamp, whose campaign platform last spring included expanding wireless coverage, said that the technology is essential.

"Wireless Internet is necessary because Santa Clara students are so dependent on the Internet. I would love to say that we got this accomplished this year," LaCamp said.

The Information Technology department has already started to conduct tests to estimate total cost and determine the best design. The research will also identify "dead spots" to make the university more wirelessly accessible.

Chief Information Officer Ron Danielson explains that some areas on campus are "much more conducive to wireless Internet than others."

According to Danielson, the rough estimate for expanding the wireless network to cover the majority of campus is $1 million. To network the residence halls will cost an additional $500,000 to $600,000.

He said that the number and cost of wireless locations will depend on where the new spots are.

The IT offices, along with the parking structure, have already been surveyed for access, and there are plans to survey other areas of campus, including residence halls.

IT expects that this research will take six weeks before it will be completed. That will also help planners determine how strong wireless signals need to be in certain areas of campus. After research has been completed, negotiations with wireless equipment vendors will begin.

"We really can't say exactly what we are going to be doing until we get the site survey completed and have better estimates as to what costs are going to be, and then go talk to the vendors and see what they are willing to give us in terms of discounts," Danielson said.

Santa Clara was recently awarded a Congressionally Directed Grant for approximately $350,000 to be spent on wireless networking; however, this grant is only to be used in academic buildings.

To extend the network beyond academic buildings to residence halls and common areas would require additional funds.

Danielson hopes that more funding will be found through end-of-the-year donations.

The new wireless internet proposal will allow Santa Clara to remain competitive with other Bay Area Schools. Already, both Stanford University and the University of San Francisco offer wireless Internet in most academic buildings and residence halls.

Should the cost of providing wireless Internet to the entire campus be too high, AS is prepared to suggest the most requested locations. The student organization conducted a survey and compiled a list of places that students most wish to see wireless service. These areas include residence halls, the Mission Gardens, Bellomy Field and the Benson patio.

LaCamp said he is pleased with the progress of expanding wireless access, a technology he said would help with the university's educational mission.

"Having wireless Internet would help students and aid professors. The administration has been willing to listen to students' call to bring wireless Internet to the school," LaCamp said.

Contact Molly Leaverton at (408) 554-4546 or mleaverton@scu.edu.