After the implementation of campus-wide Wi-Fi, students continue to experiences issues, some of which are a hindrance to their education.

Anthony Peduzzi had labored over writing a paper on Blackboard for hours and it disappeared from his computer when the Wi-Fi cut off in his dorm room.  

Another student, Lindsay Stevens voiced the same concern

“In the middle of writing papers, it will go out… and I cannot write my paper,” Stevens said.

 There is no question the entire Point Park community was looking forward to this campus-wide Wi-Fi, but the transformation has not been without issues, ranging from the Internet being slow to student’s mobile data rates going up.  In some cases, the students themselves are the ones jamming the system by using personal routers.

Whatever the issue, the IT Services department wants to know about it.

“If you are experiencing any issues with the Wi-Fi, please report them to the university Helpdesk…IT Services will investigate these reports. Without formal reports we cannot investigate,” said Tim Wilson, Assistant Vice President of IT Services, over an email interview.

Point Park made the switch from Ethernet over to Wi-Fi at the beginning of the Fall 2014 semester.  They put more routers campus wide in classrooms as well as residence halls to bring the Wi-Fi to fruition, but it has come with issues.

“I was typing a paper on Blackboard and hit submit, and the Wi-Fi cut out, and I had to go back and retype the whole thing,” Peduzzi said. Wilson says he should have called the University Help Desk Immediately.

“They will need the exact location (building, and room number), a description of the problem you are experiencing, and what type of device you are using at the time,” Wilson said.

Some students have tried calling the Help Desk without getting results.

The Wi-Fi has also been disconnecting from students phones, which in turn uses the student’s mobile data on their smartphone.

“I always have it connected to my phone, and then it disconnects and I’m using my 3G,“ said Paige Whitmer. “I shouldn’t have to use my 3G in my dorm room. I should be able to use the Wi-Fi.” 

Wilson says students who have had Wi-Fi problems and turn to their own personal routers, which are banned on campus, cause even more daunting dilemmas.

“We have had this router for over a year, and it’s because of the internet,” said a student who asked not to be identified because he/she is using a router.

Wilson says students who do that multiply issues.

 “This causes severe interference with the University’s Wi-Fi signal as they run in the same frequency range.  It also prevents IT Services from being able to diagnose the problem,” said Wilson.

Point Park’s IT Services is working on finding a solution, but they will need students help to reach their goal of seamless service.

“Unfortunately, in Downtown, we will always have to fight this battle as our neighbors in the community also use Wi-Fi, but if everyone on campus plays by the rules we should be able to troubleshoot signal problems and implement solutions much more quickly… These problems should be reported to the Helpdesk.” Wilson said. “ We cannot respond appropriately without the proper information.”