KU News Release

KU to quintuple wireless access in academic areas by December 2008

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas announced details today of a two-year, $2.6 million initiative that will quintuple wireless coverage in academic areas on the Lawrence campus.

The plan, developed by KU’s Student Senate, provost and Information Services unit, will expand coverage of KU’s wireless zones from their current rate of 20 percent of classrooms, labs and other academic spaces to nearly 100 percent in those spaces, as well as add approximately 100 new wireless public areas, by December 2008.

“This is a major step toward building the first-class information technology infrastructure that KU needs,” said Provost Richard Lariviere, who has made information technology a top priority since his arrival at KU in August. “We need to provide our students with online autonomy and invest in these kinds of enhancements. This is an investment in KU’s future excellence.”

KU’s Student Senate was instrumental in making the wireless expansion initiative possible, providing half of the funding, with KU matching the student contribution.

“We’ve gotten an incredible response from students about this, so this has been an easy project to support and promote,” said Jason Boots, student body president. “We’re really excited about the expansion of this technology on campus. We believe it will enhance KU’s identity as a top-tier, technologically attuned research university.”

When the project is completed, KU will have approximately 700 new wireless access points in addition to its current 200, for a total of about 900 wireless access points.

“This is an important milestone for KU, and we’re thrilled to work with Student Senate on this,” said Denise Stephens, vice provost for information services. “Ubiquitous wireless will help us to provide the KU community with access to the information they need, when they need it, wherever they need it.

“Not only will we be expanding wireless coverage to dramatically increase it for students; we are also upgrading the back-end equipment so that across all 900 access points, we will have one consistent and essential standard — the latest generation of technology.”

The first three buildings to receive wireless enhancements, as determined in conjunction with the Student Senate, will be Wescoe, Fraser and Strong halls. A more detailed list of the building order will be available later this spring, after information technology staff survey the buildings, determine the amount of work needed for each and organize a timeline. When the project is completed, 32 buildings on KU’s Lawrence campus will have wireless areas, 13 for the first time.

For information on accessing the KU wireless zones, visit www.technology.ku.edu/internet/wireless/.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.