Published: September 07, 2008 12:31 am            

OU named one of top 10 wired colleges

By Julianna Parker

Transcript Staff Writer

The University of Oklahoma was named the 10th most wired college in the nation for its wired and wireless Internet accessibility and online services, among other things.

PC Magazine and The Princeton Review released the list of top 20 wired colleges Thursday.

“Students at the University of Oklahoma have incredible IT resources at their fingertips,” Amanda Holloway, president of the University of Oklahoma Student Association, said in a press release. “I can be in any classroom and know that I will be able to access the Internet. OU’s information technology team constantly seeks student opinions and suggestions, and they work tirelessly to serve the student body in the best way possible.”

OU also was on the top-20 list last time colleges were ranked. Only six colleges on the list last time made it back again.

“The college tech landscape has changed significantly since our last go-round with this survey in 2006,” PC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff said in a release.

OU Vice President for Information Technology Dennis Aebersold said in a release that part of the honor goes to academic leaders as well as OU President David Boren, who empowered IT to expand technology on campus.

“This is an honor and a clear sign that OU is tuned in to the evolving needs of our students,” he said.

This year’s ranking includes institutions as Villanova University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, as well as other public universities such as Kansas State University and the University of Utah, according to PC Magazine and The Princeton Review.

The “Top 20 Wired Colleges” list honors colleges and universities with the most comprehensive — in terms of size, scope and quality — computing and technology offerings. OU was recognized for its high-speed wired and wireless networks, classroom technology, 24/7 support, computer labs, technology availability and a host of online services.

“Wireless is probably one of the most critical aspects for our student population,” Quy Nguyen, assistant director of student life, said in a release. “Even if they don’t have a laptop, many students carry other electronic devices that they can use to download classroom presentations, check e-mail or go to an educational Web site. OU is striving to complement the collegiate experience with technology.”

OU IT has covered the Norman campus with more than 800 wireless access points to provide wireless coverage in about 90 percent of academic buildings, according to an OU press release. Students also can use the wireless network in the residence hall towers, most indoor and outdoor common areas, and other major buildings around campus.

In addition, high-speed wired network ports are available in all residence halls, university faculty and staff offices, and in most public areas, such as Oklahoma Memorial Union, Bizzell Memorial Library and most major classrooms.

The growth in technology services at OU is driven by a strategic plan to create a technology-assisted learning environment where technology is widely available, relevant and transparent; to build a campus infrastructure that supports an e-university setting; and to provide the university a respected and valued world-class IT organization, according to the OU press release.

The “Top 20 Wired Colleges” list can be viewed in the Sept. 16 issue of PC Magazine or online at go.pcmag.com/wiredcolleges.

Julianna Parker

366-3541

jparker@normantranscript.com

        

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