I serve in a relatively unique role with regards to student technology at Wash. U. - I am in Senate (of course), serving as the liaison on the Campus Services Committee to STS. I also am a member of the Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC), which formed last year as a way for students to have input into technology concerns and also as a channel of communication that previously was not well served between students and the providers of the technology that they use at the University. Finally, I also serve on the Student Online Services Project Communications committee (as a member of STAC), which is working to communicate the upcoming changes to student email with the advent of Live@edu to the student population as well as the rest of the University (faculty, staff, deans, administrators, and others) - you'll be hearing from us soon!
When I caught wind of the issues students were having with Internet on campus three weeks ago, I immediately sprang into action. I talked with Barb Braun, the director of STS, to ask what might be causing the issue. She and the rest of STS had begun to hear rumblings of problems plaguing students' Internet connections, but did not have hard data as to where and when the issues were arising. Since STS was unsure what was causing the instability, I suggested that we create a survey to send out to students that would hopefully pinpoint these connectivity issues. Such a survey was sent out to all students in ResLife housing last Wednesday, October 14. If you haven't taken it yet, please take it now - it closes tomorrow, October 20!
Once the results of the survey come back, I will hopefully be able to provide another update as to what the issues actually are and where STS will be looking to improve Internet connectivity.
Another update about student technology: STS is in the process of implementing a new printing program. Some of you already know how to print to a lab from your computer, but after the switchover is complete in your building, you will need to print to a virtual universal STS printer and will then be able to release your print job from any lab on the North Side or the South 40. Find out when your dorm will be switching to the new system on the STS Web site and read more about the switchover in Student Life.
Those are all the technology updates I have for you today. Have a great week!
Following on the heels of the great success of last week's Senate Outreach program, this week we're going to be conducting short surveys for our "This is WashU" program, asking you all four simple questions.