Wireless Campus

Getting Connected

Iona is First Metro-New York College with Completely Wireless Internet Campus

Iona now offers students cutting-edge technology that enables access to the College's computer network, library databases or the Internet from anywhere on campus at any time of day or night. This remarkable achievement makes Iona the first college in the metropolitan New York area to install a completely wireless local area network (LAN).

"We are extremely pleased to be able to provide our students with this state-of-the-art technology," said President James A. Liguori, CFC. "Providing Iona students with this access, knowledge and experience with new technology gives Iona College a competitive advantage over institutions which are not fully wireless."

A generous gift from an anonymous donor made Iona's wireless LAN possible and the project was finished two years ahead of schedule and under budget, a rare occurrence for any capital improvement in this era. "For this project to become a success, we needed business partners who could offer suggestions which helped us provide superior quality and performance at a lower cost," said Joanne Laughlin Steele, vice provost for information technology.

All incoming freshmen, all residential students and any upperclassmen who requested to participate in the program were provided access to the wireless network by the first day of Fall semester classes on September 4. The complete student body will have access in the coming months; the system is capable of handling all students now, but not every student has a properly configured laptop computer.

The Iona wireless LAN features 127 Access Points on 16 buildings in New Rochelle and the Rockland Graduate Center. The Access Points serve as antennas which send the Iona network throughout campus buildings and approximately 150 feet beyond them.

Iona does not require students to purchase a laptop computer, but the school worked closely with Gateway Computers to provide a significant discount for students who wish to purchase a laptop. Students may also purchase any brand and model of computer they prefer, but the Iona Information Technology department must configure each computer for access to the wireless network.

"Iona has actively integrated technology with its curriculum to enhance the learning experience. The wireless network is just the most recent example of our commitment to help all Iona students become skilled with new technology," said Steele.