The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Connections to the internet in dorm rooms are going to change. Many students chose to use wireless connections to access the internet as opposed to the SLU intranet. However, Information Technology Services (ITS) has decided to ban wireless connections in all residence halls.

Having wireless connections in the dorms has been found to be insecure, leaving students and the University computer systems open and vulnerable to an array of problems.

Barb Coleman, administrator of the Customer Service Center for ITS, said, "The big thing is, it's a security risk, not only for your personal information, but for the university as well. You're more susceptible to viruses, spyware, and your address book and e-mail can be accessed by others since there is no password protection." Having several wireless connections occurring on campus that are not secure to begin with increases the possibility of the SLU computer network being entered and tampered with.

Wireless internet connections will not be completely banned on campus. Several areas around campus will still contain areas where students can use wireless connection with their own laptop computers. These areas include Des Peres Hall, the Law School, the John Cook School of Business and the Busch Student Center. Several other areas are also being negotiated for adding wireless connections. Residence Halls are the only areas in which wireless connections will be banned completely.

Coleman assures that ITS is not attempting to ban wireless use on campus or to prevent students from using the connection from dorm rooms. It is solely the plan to limit the use of it to academic areas until a method of maintaining security with these connections can be established.

As of right now, ITS does not have sufficient funds to create a secure wireless connection for all on-campus residents. However, ITS is currently creating a plan to provide secure wireless connections for everyone.

"We'd welcome that idea, it's just a matter of figuring out how to do it. We welcome the idea to discuss with Student Life ways to fund it," Coleman said.

ITS is banning wireless connections in residents halls solely to protect students and the University. Students will only be able to access the SLU network in their dorm rooms until a safer way of using wireless connections can be established.

"You wouldn't want to leave your back door opened at home and hope that no one comes in. But that is essentially what you're doing with your wireless connection," Coleman said.

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