WTAMU
Provost Brian R. Chapman introduces special guests at the rollout of the
new wireless Internet system at West Texas A&M University. The system
is called Buffalo Roaming and buildings where it is available are known
as Buff Roam Zones.
(Canyon)—Secure wireless Internet service made its debut at West Texas A&M University on Valentine’s Day—right in the heart of campus—with a ceremonial logon at Cornette Library.
The library is one of four locations on campus to go wireless with the inaugural rollout of the system. Also going wireless on Feb. 14 were the First United Bank Center, the Jack B. Kelley Student Center and the Hastings Electronic Learning Center. The Fine Arts Complex, under construction, also will be wireless when it opens later this year.
The new system was dubbed “Buffalo Roaming” at the rollout. That is the winning entry from a University-wide naming contest. Each wireless location will be known as a “Buff Roam Zone.”
The Wireless Rollout Committee chose Valentine’s Day as the launch day to coincide with a promotional campaign with amorous slogans like “Hook up . . . no strings attached” and “Love at first connection.”
Bill Pulliam, chief information officer at WTAMU, said the time has come for WTAMU to become a wireless University and that more areas and buildings on campus soon will follow suit.
“Our students are like college students everywhere,” Pulliam said. “They expect this type of technology, and this is our response. We want to have a centralized, managed wireless infrastructure that can expand to meet the wireless needs of the entire campus. Demand finally necessitates it.”
Mario Berry, director of support services, said the new system is a superior one due to its high level of security.
“This is something you can’t get at a coffee shop,” Berry said. “This is high security, encrypted wireless access. Students can get the software they need for classes. Faculty and staff have additional resources and an added level of security. This is a great system.”
The wireless rollout ceremony was open to the public and the entire University community, and about 75 people turned out to see the launch and find out who won the naming contest.
That distinction went to Bradly Shaver, a sophomore sports and exercise sciences major from Perryton. He received an iPod and $50 on his Buffalo Gold Card.