Twenty-seven percent of surveyed undergraduate students and 12 percent of surveyed graduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno reported experiencing "poor or terrible" internet access in a remote work and learning survey conducted on campus last spring. Many students are still working and learning part-time through virtual modalities, making a strong Internet connection imperative.
The University recently received dedicated connectivity support from Google that funded 100 new access point devices, as well as 12 months of connectivity, for long-term check-out at no charge for students. The devices offer unlimited data and were shipped to students living outside of the Reno area.
"Through this support and community investment, we want to ensure Nevadans have reliable Internet access," said Kate Franko, Google's regional director of external affairs for data centers. “We know that COVID-19 has profoundly impacted student learning in person, which is why we have partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno to provide students with a more reliable Internet through Google funding for connectivity. it is an effort that we hope to expand to other schools in the near future. ”
Students were notified by email about the availability of the hotspot devices, and within approximately two days, all 100 devices were removed on hold for students Due to popularity, the University worked quickly to invest in an additional 100 devices, which were also made available to students and quickly reviewed.
"Thanks to this agreement with Google, countless students on our campus will now have the opportunity to promote their educational dreams, "said University President Brian Sandoval. “The 100 hotspots and 12 months of connectivity come at a crucial time for our University, where students have increasingly had to find creative ways to expand the breadth of their studies due to the challenges associated through remote learning and COVID. -19. The fact that the @One Center for Technology and Digital Media at the University Libraries made these devices available to students free of charge is really a game changer for us. "
Many students say that the critical points are already having a positive impact on their ability to do their job, decreasing the amount of stress they are experiencing.
"I use the Wi-Fi provided at my place, and I was losing connection almost every minute, where I had to rejoin every time, "said a student in his response to the survey about the new hotspot." This device helped me a lot more. I can attend meetings and classes online, I can research and read the articles. This device I was very relieved as I was constantly worried that Zoom would kick me out again in the middle of my presentation for classes. Now I have a much better connection and can listen to my teachers and take notes. ”
" This generous support from Google has helped the University provide this critical service to our students. " Steve Smith, vice chancellor and chief information officer for the University, said. "We look forward to working with Google and others on long-term solutions for broadband access."
About the University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno, is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a knowledge-driven future. The Land Grant University of Nevada, founded in 1874, serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. In addition, it has earned the prestigious "Carnegie Engaged" rating, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by broad community and state collaboration. More than $ 800 million has been invested in advanced laboratories, residences and facilities on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a mission of outreach at the state level and presence through programs University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Office of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada Higher Education System. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success, and outreach for the benefit of Nevada communities and businesses, the University has an impact across the state and around the world.
About Google in Nevada
In July 2019, Google began construction of its first $ 600 million data center in Henderson, Nevada, with a second $ 600 million expansion to follow in 2020. In 2020 , Google also announced a new $ 600 million investment in Storey County, bringing its total investment in Nevada to $ 1.8 billion. Once fully operational, all sites will employ people in a variety of roles, including computer technicians, engineers, and various service, maintenance, and security roles.
Be First to Comment