Ohio University students who struggled to connect to the Internet on campus last year may find themselves a little happier when surfing the web this fall.
The NextGen wireless transition, created to allow easier device connection and one-time logins, is now in full swing across the Athens campus.
The project has been successful and under budget so far, said Sean O’Malley, Information Technology communications manager.
O’Malley said the system has run smoothly in the pilot facilities which include Alden Library, Stocker Center, Baker University Center and the Computer Services Center.
When compared to the old wireless system, NextGen wireless has made connecting to online educational tools much simpler, said Lorraine Wochna, a reference librarian at Alden.
“It’s (gone) really smoothly. (The Office of Information Technology) has been available to help any student. Every once in a while, you’ll get a laptop that’s really weird,” Wochna said.
OIT has begun the transition inside Athens residence halls; James, Sargent, Boyd, Wilson-West and Shively are all on the new system, with other West Green dorms and Jefferson Hall coming soon, O’Malley said.
“We are trying to sweep across one green at a time,” he added.
Students are excited about the new, consistent wireless coverage.
“(The old system) was just spotty. It would work in one classroom, but not next door. I’m interested to see if that problem disappears,” said Colin Cottrell, a sophomore studying audio production.
Students are required to register their devices with the university once a semester, faculty and staff are required to register once a year and OIT has said no tracking agents or software are installed as a part of the process.
Parents and other non-students will not be able to connect to the wireless system without getting a guest account. Only faculty and staff can sponsor these accounts, he said.
Students are encouraged to pre-register their devices before arriving on campus. They can do so through the Ohio University OIT website.
The project is scheduled for completion in January 2014, with all the regional campuses also upgrading to the new system. The full schedule is available at http://www.ohio.edu/oit/wireless/schedule.cfm.
bl171210@ohiou.edu
