In the year 2017, everyone is wired to an electronic device. Not literally wired, but connected to their devices almost all day every day. When leaving the house without my phone, I feel disconnected from the world, empty and angsty.
Using devices like iPads, iPhones, Androids, and computers can be very expensive. Most of them require connection to a cell tower or satellite, and cell companies can charge through the nose for them. Certain companies used to offer unlimited data. Some still do, but others have found that they make the most money bringing people over their limit.
How does one fix this problem? Wi-Fi, of course! Monthly payments to a different group so that you’re not going over your data limit. However, Wi-Fi on the OCU campus is very weak. In some places it is even nonexistent.
I just got a call this week from my dad, the owner of our plan, who was livid when our monthly phone bill was hundreds of dollars over the normal rate. I had gone many gigabytes over what I was supposed to because I’m constantly having to use data in order to watch YouTube, do homework, text, and use social media.
On a college campus, these things are all essential. Yes, even social media, as some students are performers who need to advertise their brand. How is this acceptable? How does OCU allow students in housing areas to go without properly functioning Wi-Fi? I am often using my own hotspot in order to do research for homework.
Various work orders have been placed regarding the Wi-Fi, but the problem seems mute to campus technology. My next attempt will be to go down to campus technology myself to see what else can be done. Wi-Fi is essential to the college student, especially when we cannot afford the expensive plans from cell services.
It is my hope that more students will recognize this issue and start raising their voices to campus technology. If the problem persists, campus technology should allow students to purchase routers and set up their own internet in certain areas. This could fix the problem of connect-ability, and can help students feel a little more at home with access to their own routers and passwords.
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