Eighty-Four Buildings Upgraded as Network Foundation Project Reaches More Than Half Done

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Workers from IT Services and Next Step Innovation have installed more than 2,700 wireless APs on campus.

This month there are many reasons to celebrate, including another milestone for the Network Foundations project. To date, this project is now more than 50 percent complete. Since August, 84 campus buildings have been upgraded with another 35 scheduled for completion before the end of December.

Recent upgrades to the Arkansas Union along with the completion of all buildings within the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences helped push this project to a 54 percent completion mark.   

"Thanks to IT Services, Fulbright College now has all 23 of its buildings fully upgraded and our network is in better shape than it has ever been before," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "Thanks to this upgrade, our college is even more equipped for research, innovation and student success."

The benefits of a stronger network are already being experienced by faculty and students. Students enrolled in a Biological Science class this fall had the opportunity to test online, in class, for the first time ever because of upgrades within Hillside Auditorium. 

This project has encouraged collaboration throughout campus as both academics and support services have worked to improve technology on campus.

"We are always excited to partner with IT Services and collaborate for the betterment of our students and all who call Fulbright College home," said Simon Chua, Fulbright College's assistant dean for finance and administration. It has always been a pleasure working with the IT Services team and we look forward to continuing our partnership for future projects."

As of November, more than 2,700 new wireless access points have been installed during the project. Within the entire wireless system, there are more than 68,000 devices on the campus Wi-Fi network. 

"We're excited by the progress of this project," said Elon Turner, director of infrastructure systems for IT Services. Adding, "we expect our momentum will only increase as the fall semester comes to a close."  

An interactive map is available online for the campus community to follow progress of the project. Completion of the Network Foundations project is expected by the end of January 2019.

IT Services asks faculty and staff to update their office locations in webBASIS to ensure they receive communication before work begins in their facility. 

Learn more on the Network Foundations project site.