Sam Schneider sat Thursday evening tucked in a quiet corner of Kansas University’s Watson Library checking his e-mail — with no strings, or cables, attached.

The KU freshman from Topeka was trying his computer’s wireless Internet capability for the first time.

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“So far today I’ve used it at Wescoe Beach, the (Kansas) Union, and now here,” Schneider said. “It’s a good way to check your e-mail between classes without having to go back home.”

Universities across the country have begun coating their campuses with “hot zones,” areas where capable computers can pick up a wireless Internet signal. Though KU has lagged behind many schools in adopting wireless technology campuswide, students like Schneider may be able to get online nearly anywhere on Mount Oread if a proposal up for vote in the KU Student Senate is passed.

Two KU Student Senate committees gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $45,000 plan to expand campus hot zones. Notably, the plan would fund wireless access on the Fraser Hall lawn and at Allen Fieldhouse. The full Student Senate will vote on the proposal Wednesday.

Steve Munch, KU student body president, said while the administration had funded wireless zones in many buildings, Student Senate was concerned with providing wireless access at commons areas.

“We think it will be good for academic and campus culture,” Munch said. “We want to make sure that KU has the most up-to-date technological capabilities available.”

Marilu Goodyear, vice provost of information services, oversaw installation of wireless technology in several KU buildings this summer.

“Students are finding that access to information at the point when they need it is really important to them,” she said.