Senate discusses campus Wi-Fi issues

Gillian Petrarca ’23

Staff Writer


The Feb. 8 SGA senate meeting opened with a land acknowledgment by Chair of Senate Shula Mathew ’22. The agenda for the meeting included an info session with Library, Information, and Technology Services  in order to discuss the recent Wi-Fi outages on campus. Senators were asked to gather with their commission groups at the beginning of the meeting to submit questions for the info session.

President of SGA Lasya Priya Rao Jarugumilli ’23 moderated the session between Alex Wirth-Cauchon, chief information officer & executive director, and David Powicki, director of Technology Infrastructure & Systems Support. 

“Can you explain the difference between the three Wi-Fi networks?” Jarugumilli asked. 

Powicki explained that MHC-Public is designed for anyone who would like to connect to the internet to use, including campus guests as well as students and faculty. He explained that eduroam and LyonNet-Encrypt are essentially the same networks. However, eduroam can be accessed across universities within the Pioneer Valley and abroad. Powicki recommended choosing one of the Wi-Fi networks and sticking to it. 

Jarugumilli asked, “How should students go about reporting Wi-Fi outages that happen more in a certain building than others?” 

Wirth-Cauchon answered by explaining that the College has made the decision to not make the entire campus wireless. This means that all of the buildings on campus are Wi-Fi accessible but many outdoor areas may not be. Students may experience connection issues after changing buildings. Wirth-Cauchon and Powicki hope that, with the new network updates, this issue will be solved. 

Wirth-Cauchon said, “I am hopeful after our updates to the system tomorrow we will hopefully not experience any more campuswide Wi-Fi outages.” 

Many students raised concerns about access to ethernet cables. Wirth-Cauchon replied that there are a limited number of ethernet cables available for students to sign out at the circulation desk. 

The info session ended with Wirth-Cauchon and Powicki expressing thanks to the Senators as well as the wider Mount Holyoke community for helping report the Wi-Fi outages. 

Senate then entered the open floor portion of the evening in order to allow senators to make comments, voice concerns, ask questions or inform others of events happening. SGA Treasurer Maahi Jaiswl ’24 reminded everyone about the involvement fair on Feb. 13 from 12 to 3 p.m. Louise Olivier ’23 informed the room that Model UN will be selling rose grams for Valentine’s Day. The Outing Club announced that they are hosting a “Charcuterie and Sunset” fundraiser on the Delles Hill on Feb. 12. 

After the open floor portion, the E-Board provided the senate with some updates. Vice President of SGA Ananya Singh ’22 informed the group that providing toilet paper liners, which was suggested at a previous meeting, would not be possible due to conflict with the College’s sustainability goals. Singh offered the solution of having spray bottles available for students to use in the restrooms. Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer Maille Romulus ’24 said that they will be meeting with Dining and Auxiliary Services soon and requested that senators email them questions or concerns regarding either department. Chair of Halls EJ Jankovic ’23 gave updates on their meeting with Residential Life and Dining Services. They made Dining Services aware that many vending machines are not taking one cards or are overcharging students. 

Senate concluded with Singh acknowledging Dean Western’s passing and remembering Western’s substantial advocacy for the Mount Holyoke student body.