FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 28, 2011
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

MUW campus community has access to latest standard of wireless offerings

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Not only do Mississippi University for Women students have wireless access campus-wide, it’s also available through the latest wireless standard, which means maximum speeds.

“Though many other universities have a campus-wide wireless network, we are probably among the few universities who have implemented a full campus-wide wireless network based on the recently ratified wireless standard known as 802.11n,” according to Rodney Godfrey, MUW network administrator.

The new standard can provide a five-fold increase to wireless speeds depending on coverage and reception.

“Also, 802.11n extends the range of wireless coverage and is backward compatible with all older 802.11 standards,” Godfrey explained. “We take pride in knowing that our new campus-wide wireless network is in the top of the class among our peers.”
There are many applications that can be used with wireless networking including laptops, projectors, smart phones and other wireless peripherals to support lectures, give instructions, present demonstrations and connect to network resources.

While portions of campus have had access to wireless for a few years, ITS was given the green light to move forward and acquire a campus-wide wireless solution in the early part of September 2010.

“Finding funds for a large project of this size is always a difficult challenge especially when all campus departments and services are already operating on thin budgets,” Godfrey said. “Nonetheless, a decision was made by MUW’s Interim President Allegra Brigham and the current administration to commit funding for a campus-wide wireless network and to move forward with implementation as soon as possible.”

Approximately $150,000 was set aside at the end of last year’s budget to fund the initiative.

Godfrey said, “MUW’s investment in a campus-wide enterprise wireless solution will help provide students, faculty and staff with the technological resources to promote and complement a more positive learning environment and workplace.”