Collegian T he Cameron University
www.aggiecentral.com
Monday, February 10, 2025
Kaley Muse
Managing Editor For the last two semesters, technical issues on and off campus have become more frequent. What started off as something easy to fix turned into larger, more complicated fixes. First, Blackboard went offline more frequently and for longer periods of time. Then came the biggest problem of all: the Wi-Fi. Connection became unreliable or nonexistent in certain places across campus. The reason? Cameron is in the middle of updating internet systems and cables — a long process made longer by how outdated the system was. Junior Journalism and Media Production major and first-time Cameron Village resident, Matthew Hasley said that though he has only lived in the Village for a week, he has already experienced its unreliable connectivity. “I think the biggest thing I’ve run into is just trying to find [a device] that works,” Hasley said. “When we don’t have any option available,
Volume 112 Issue 2
trying to use my phone (ITS) immediately It is unknown how the and the connection to began working to fix the switch from Google to your phone isn’t very outage, but ultimately, Microsoft products will good.” the university switched affect services currently Hasley available to sometimes students, “I know it’s frustrating right had to such as drive to the now. However, I have a lot of Google Duncan Drive. campus last hope and greatly anticipate the Hasley is changes will be worth the semester nervous how in search this switch challenges we are facing at the of reliable from Gmail moment.” internet to Outlook - Leah Chaffins will affect connection needed just Associate Professor, CEFL his important to complete saved items. his “It’s a little coursework. to a different system via scary in a sense,” Hasley Many times the Wi-Fi Microsoft Outlook. said. “I don’t want to connection was poor there, too. Hasley, like so many others, has had to find ways around this issue in order to get assignments turned in on time. “You couldn’t do any homework that [needed] accessing Blackboard,” Hasley said. “I couldn’t take any test unless I [went to] the testing center specifically.” On top of this, the student Gmail server went dark over two weeks ago. This halted almost all online communication between students and professors entirely. Cameron Information Technology Services
lose the media I’ve created that I can use in a resume. It’s almost like you’re losing a piece of what you’ve been putting all your hard work into.” Students are not the only ones experiencing these issues, though. Associate Professor Leah Chaffins said she has worked hard to ensure that each of her students are able to receive the information that they need in a timely manner. “Mostly, I have made a bigger effort in connecting with students
before and after class,” Chaffins said. Chaffins also urges anyone frustrated with the university to recognize the end goal. “I know it’s frustrating right now,” Chaffins said. “However, I have a lot of hope and greatly anticipate the changes will be worth the challenges we are facing at the moment.” Hopefully, campus will see these issues resolved over the next few months, and the university will be stronger for it.
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