KU to weave larger wireless Web

Kansas University sophomore Joni Hudson, of Overbrook, works on homework at the computer lab in the Kansas Union. KU students are pushing to improve wireless Internet access on campus, and administrators are preparing a plan to make it happen.

Kansas University has aggressive plans to spread wireless Internet coverage across all academic buildings, a top administrator said Thursday.

“The goal here is to – in two or three years – have the academic areas on the campus totally covered,” said Denise Stephens, vice provost for information services and chief information officer.

KU has about 26 wireless zones. But some areas, such as the libraries, are better covered than others. And students, led by student body president Jason Boots, have called for increasing wireless access.

“There’s a lot of student demand for it,” Boots said.

The initiative could cost up to $2.7 million, Stephens said, adding that costs will be spread over several years.

KU launched wireless service in 2003 and has increased coverage incrementally since then. But the new initiative would quicken the pace, upping the number of wireless access points from about 225 to more than 900, Stephens said.

“It’s now a basic service,” she said. “It’s no longer what you would think of as out on the edge or cutting-edge.”

Boots, who campaigned on the promise of expanding wireless coverage, said his ideas had found support with new Provost Richard Lariviere, who was surprised at KU’s relatively low level of wireless coverage.

Budig Hall, Anschutz Library and the Kansas Union are among the buildings on campus with better wireless coverage, Boots said.

But other buildings – such as Blake, Smith, Twente, Wescoe, Strong, Snow and Malott halls – have little or no coverage, he said.

Wescoe Beach is covered, for example, but no areas inside Wescoe Hall are, Boots said.

Some students seem to notice.

Senior Eric Girton said there’s pretty good access, but it could always be better.

“Every student is utilizing it more and more,” he said. “I think it’s just important as a large university to have it available.”

Boots said the top priorities would be classrooms, followed by student labs and student meeting spots. Students and staff are working on the details and a specific plan on how to pay for the expansion hasn’t been set, Boots said. He said planners likely would look at many possible funding sources, such as tuition, fees and university reserves.