UVA Wi-Fi Enhancement Project

The University Village, Albany (UVA) Wi-Fi Enhancement Project is a collaboration between Information Services and Technology (IST) Network Operations and Services and Student Affairs IT (SAIT). This project is a big step toward addressing the technology Wi-Fi issues at UVA. We are grateful the Budget Committee has authorized the use of Student Technology Equity Program (STEP) funds to do this important work.

The project will begin in late October 2020 and is scheduled to be completed in Spring of 2021.  

Goals

The goals of the UVA Wi-Fi Enhancement Project are as follows:

  1. Improved connectivity for UVA residents and improved service for their consumer devices.

  2. Reduction in reports of problems and technical support related to network performance.

  3. Better, user-friendly Wi-Fi experience.

Background

UVA does not currently have IST-provided wireless coverage in the residences at the University Village campus in Albany. Each unit has wired connectivity provided by existing infrastructure, and most residents provide and install their own Wi-Fi equipment (personal wireless routers). This has led to an interference-prone environment, poor user experience, along with security and support issues. All of this is exacerbated and made more challenging by the move to fully remote instruction (and remote teaching for GSIs and UGSIs, plus remote employment and schooling for other family members sharing the residence) as a result of COVID-19. Wi-Fi access at UVA does not compare to that of students living in other campus-operated residences. The aim of this project is to improve access to instructional resources and materials for UVA students and their families.

Technical Details

The project will include the following enhancements: 

  • Installation of modern wireless access points (WAPs) in all 975 UVA apartments;

  • Improvement of the controller infrastructure to support additional bandwidth capacity; and 

  • Replacement of the switching network to support new WAPs and enable Power over Ethernet (PoE). 

Installation Dates

The projected WAP installation time period runs from Tuesday, Feb. 2 through Friday, April 16, 2021. This information is subject to change as the project progresses.

Contact

The UVA Wi-Fi Enhancement Project is sponsored by the IST-Network Operations & Services and Student Affairs IT. Team contacts are as follows:

  • Cristóbal Olivares, Director of Student Technologies in Student Affairs IT is managing the communications to and technical support for UVA residents. 

  • Martin Garcia, Project Manager in IST-Telecom is managing the technical implementation of the project.