Emory & Henry College Turns to Managed WiFi for Wireless Revamp
In an effort to boost recruitment and retention as well as enhance the student and faculty experience, Emory & Henry College has upgraded its wireless network with a managed WiFi service from Apogee. The cutting-edge network extends campuswide, across academic and administrative spaces and 20 residence halls, offering speeds of up to triple digits per device, according to a news announcement. Also included: 24/7 support for the school's 1,200-plus students and 300 staff, available via phone, chat, text and e-mail.
"Part of our 2013-2020 strategic plan was to undergo a complete overhaul of our technology services to help enhance teaching, learning, research and the overall campus experience," said Rick Gaumer, E&H vice president for business and finance, in a statement. "We looked at our technology dollars very closely and realized how challenging it is to innovate to meet student demand, recruit and retain adequate IT staff, and create a sustainable business model. Our goal was to exceed student demand, innovate within a sustainable financial model, and refocus our IT efforts on other strategic initiatives."
The Apogee solution also provides IPTV services, managed social media, a digital signage solution and a Campus Life Channel.
As a result of the network revamp, more students are staying on campus on weekends to do homework, and students' WiFi complaints have decreased significantly, the announcement said. The college has also been able to increase its marketing efforts, touting the technology to prospective students.
"The return on investment on students who might leave or never enroll due to poor technology has more than recouped costs," noted Gaumer.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at rkelly@1105media.com.