A Cal U professor uses smart classroom technology to video conference with students in EgyptA Cal U professor uses smart classroom technology to video conference with students in Egypt

CAL U PROVIDES FULLY 'WIRELESS' CAMPUS

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Posted on January 17, 2012

When the spring semester begins next week, California University of Pennsylvania students will return to a fully “wireless” campus.

Cal U, in collaboration with AT&T, has completed a six-month project that provides high-speed Wi-Fi throughout its campus community. 

Students, faculty, staff and Cal U visitors with Wi-Fi enabled devices will have easy access to the Wi-Fi network throughout the University’s main and south campuses in California, Pa. Service also is available at Cal U’s Southpointe Center in Canonsburg, Pa.

The $2.1 million project added more than 900 Wi-Fi access points to Cal U’s previous wireless network, giving users increased capacity, broader coverage and faster service both indoors and outdoors.

Wireless is available in all Cal U academic buildings and residence halls, as well as in the Natali Student Union, Manderino Library, Convocation Center and all other facilities. Coverage extends to outdoor areas including the Quad, Roadman Park, Adamson football stadium, the Phillipsburg soccer complex and even the campus parking lots.

“The Wi-Fi project was driven by customer demand,” says Dr. Charles Mance, vice president for University Technology Services. Through a series of customer satisfaction surveys conducted by his office, students, faculty and staff expressed a need for enhanced connectivity.

The wireless network now has the capacity to serve Cal U’s 9,500 students and more than 900 employees, along with hundreds of campus visitors.

“More robust Wi-Fi provides easier access to information, both inside and outside the classroom,” Mance says. “Already we are seeing an increase in usage, with our client count rising from month to month. And our research tells us that the demand for wireless access will continue to rise.”

Members of the campus community will continue to use their Cal U username and password to gain easy access to broadband via the CalNet network. Visitors can join the “attwifi” network with a guest account.

University Technology Services will supply ongoing management and support for any troubleshooting and access assistance to the wireless networks on campus.

Prospective students and their families, vendors, Vulcan sports fans and University Conference Services clients are among those expected to utilize the guest network.

“Through the Cal U Fusion initiative, our University is emerging as a leader in the use of technology for teaching and learning,” said Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr. “Accessible Wi-Fi is an essential element of this effort to prepare our students to live and work in the digital age.”