Wireless computer access will soon be available in the West Classroom as part of a pilot project launched by Information Technology.

"Our plan is to bring it live by March 15," said IT Administration Director Yvonne Flood. For those who have laptop computers with wireless capabilities, wireless Internet access will be available in the West Classroom student lounges on the first and second floors as well as the bench areas outside the lounges. IT will monitor usage of the wireless connection to determine whether to expand wireless on campus.

"If the pilot is successful, we'll expand it to elsewhere in the West Classroom as well as the Science Building," Flood said.

According to Flood, the West Classroom was chosen because the two lounges and several student computer labs create a sizable student population. "Our first priority for this pilot is students, and if the labs are full, the students will have the option of using the wireless connection."

Students will be able to access MetroConnect through the Internet but they won't be able to access Metro applications.

"There are a number of other wireless access sites on campus but most are not intended for the entire Metro community," said Randy Storm, IT server and network support manager. The only other official wireless sites on campus are in the Tivoli in the two student lounges on the second floor and in the Club Hub on the third floor. Storm said these sites are supported by AHEC.

Watch upcoming issues of @Metro for more information about the wireless project.