World Class Wireless in Residential Halls
How we planned, designed, and rolled out a wireless experience worthy of a
preeminent, top ten university
by DAVE CONNELLY
photos by JULIA MCBEE & MATT PENDLETON
Wireless devices and wireless service can be found
everywhere these days. In virtually every place we go,
we can experience the convenience and enjoyment of
quality wireless service.
While at home, wireless internet is accessible in your
living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc. When you travel, you
may even expect that same experience in hotel rooms
and airports.
Similarly, students at the University of Florida are
most likely accustomed to this same comfort and
convenience in their own homes and public areas before
arriving on campus to live with Housing and Residence
Education. Now think of the inconvenience, and maybe
disappointment, it causes when this service is not
working well, or even unavailable in certain areas.
From 2014 to 2015 numerous student interviews,
comments to Residence Life and Education staff, and an
independent survey conducted by Student Government,
clearly revealed that our residents expect a high quality
wireless experience in all of their rooms. The feedback
UF PREEMINENCE STATEMENT
"TAKING WHAT WE'RE GOOD AT
AND MAKING IT GREAT...TAKING
WHAT WE'RE GREAT AT AND
MAKING IT WORLD CLASS."
6
HRE ALUMNI MAGAZINE | UF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Prior to World Class Wireless, wireless internet was
only guaranteed in common areas.
also highlighted the negative impact of when this service
is not available. Because of this, we realized this was
detracting from the overall residential experience and
we needed to do something about it.
As a result, we embarked on our journey to make our
wireless service into something our residents expect
and deserve. We began calling this initiative “World
Class Wireless” to be in line with the UF Preeminence
statement, “Taking what we’re good at and making it
great… taking what we’re great at and making it world
class.”