University to rebuild wireless network, add cloud printing

HUNTINGTON, Ind. Huntington University will overhaul its campus wireless network and add cloud printing capabilities during the summer months to greatly enhance the services available to students when they return for fall semester.

"When we first built our campus wireless network in 2001, students might have brought a single laptop computer to college," said Gary Campbell, director of technology services. "Today, things are very different. Our students now bring a wide variety of wireless devices to campus computers, tablets, mobile phones, gaming consoles and even televisions and DVD players so the demand on our system is much greater. To help meet students' expectations, we have developed a plan to substantially overhaul our wireless infrastructure."

In addition, the university will also provide a new cloud-based printing system for students. The initiative will replace low-volume printers that have been available in residence halls and computer labs with more reliable, high-volume multi-function printers (MFPs) that provide color and grayscale scanning, copying and "follow-me" printing.

"We are moving away from small distributed network printers where students had to supply their own paper," Campbell said. "Instead, we will strategically locate high-availability printer/copier/scanner units in student and academic areas around campus for student use as needed."

These two initiatives will be underwritten by a new $250 per year technology fee.

"I am very excited that we are going to be able to address two technology issues that have been a source of frustration, not only to students, but also to our Technology Services team. We believe these two initiatives will represent important improvements in our students' technology experience," Campbell said.