Wireless Internet access across campus is determined by individual academic departments.

Associate director of ITS Customer Support Services Elizabeth Leake said departments order the installation and pay a monthly fee to access the Internet.

“Students and faculty love the convenience of being able to log on to our wireless network when they roam about campus,” Leake said.

The installation process takes up to two weeks after orders are sent in and reviewed by network engineers. If a building has existing points, the additional points are installed faster. The service request forms are filled online through the ITS Web site.

At a cost of $150 for installation and $66 per month, each college pays for its own service.

“For us it was a commitment to have technology in the classroom,” said Christine Sorensen, dean of the College of Education.

The wireless points in Gabel Hall and Graham Hall are used for instructional purposes. The intention is to give students a real use of technology in the classrooms.

Portable laptop carts are used by faculty to create an instant lab, Sorensen said.

Leake said only 5 percent of the total campus interior has Internet service and access is affected by construction.

“It would take many points per building to have the entire building covered,” Leake said.

In the case of the college of education, points were placed in classrooms and in the Learning Center, said Sorensen.

Leake acknowledged budget cuts may hinder academic departments’ chances to acquire the system anytime soon.

Mary Pritchard, associate dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, is not aware if anyone has requested the access points for the college.

“It might be cost effective to go wireless, if needed,” Pritchard said.

Access points are plugged into a network connection available for anyone in the area.

“Each user then draws from that service, sharing the … connection,” Leake said. “Therefore, the more users that log on to a point, the weaker the signal.”

The user needs a wireless access card or capability on his or her computer to use the system.