Internet connectivity has been an increasing issue over the last few weeks on Bradley’s campus. BUsecure is unavailable for hours at a time and only intermittently works.
In fact, while we were trying to write this editorial, the Internet connection wasn’t working.
To our knowledge, there have been Internet problems on campus at least for the last four years, and each year, we have heard talk of the problems being remedied, but we have yet to see real results.
Just last week, The Scout wrote an article covering the new bandwidth the university invested $40,000 on over this academic year. However, Internet connectivity issues continue to plague campus.
Recently, professors have had to reschedule class work, and students have had to look for alternative places to complete homework and study. These issues are not just annoying, but they are a hindrance to our education. Students are becoming increasingly furious and frustrated, unable to access the materials they need for classes unless they use up their cellular data on smartphones.
Further, while these issues continue, professors need to be understanding of the constraints this poor Internet connection puts on students. Almost all of our schoolwork requires the Internet, and students increasingly lack access to it.
Whatever is causing these issues, which can stem from various sources, the root of the problem needs to be identified and resolved.
Clear communication is imperative. We don’t pretend to know all of the ins and outs of the technology surrounding Internet connectivity, which is why communication from university and information and resources technology administration is key.
The @IToutage twitter and helpdesk website, where students can find information on the outages, is a step in the right direction. However, the language often used is confusing to students, and issues often persist after the docket is determined closed.
There needs to be statements made available in a more publicly-accessible place in ways students can readily understand them.
One potential method is to collaborate with Bradley University’s social media accounts and post information on those avenues. Also, students won’t be upset about getting campus email updates on Internet issues because they are so relevant and we are searching for answers.
Campus residents are the primary customers of the university, and they deserve a response in a public place.
