Spring Break
Students say 'no' to city-wide Wi-Fi
Feedback for 90-day trial was negative, citing slow connection times, low quality of service
Caitlin Cagle
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
A measure to provide Corvallis with city-wide wireless service was not considered for the ballot during the elections. ASOSU representatives decided to axe the wireless measure because of the negative feedback provided during trial, the resistance against rising student fees and the possibility of new technology in the future.
"It doesn't make sense to raise our fees to provide the entire city with wireless service. Our tuition is already increasing, it doesn't need to go up any more to cover everyone else's need for internet," said freshman sociology major Alison Moore.
Citizens around Corvallis were angry that the measure was not put onto the ballot, posting to The Gazette-Times blogs about their feelings.
"The city-wide Wi-Fi would have increased fees by about $12 a term, an increase that seems very reasonable," commented one blogger.
The wireless service would have provided wireless internet all over Corvallis, allowing students and citizens to be connected anywhere.
The service, provided by Stephouse Networks, ran a 90-day test trial in which Oregon State volunteers were provided free wireless internet in return for their feedback.
If the test runs provided positive feedback, the measure would be voted on for a $12 dollar increase in the fall term.
"It makes me a little sad that a referendum on renovating Rec sports facilities would pass, but one supporting public Wi-Fi did not even make it to a vote, even an advisory vote," another person commented on the Gazette-Times blog.
"Lots of students don't use the recreational facilities at OSU, but pretty much everyone uses the internet -and more to the point, almost everyone could use public Wi-Fi."
One of the reasons that the measure was not put on the ballot was the concern over the quality of the wireless service. The service had issues with connection drops and slow access.
"During winter term we did a trial and then I compiled a survey to send out to the participants who used the service. The feedback was fairly negative regarding the quality of the service provided," said ASOSU Executive Chief of Staff Matt Pennington.
"It doesn't make sense to raise our fees to provide the entire city with wireless service. Our tuition is already increasing, it doesn't need to go up any more to cover everyone else's need for internet," said freshman sociology major Alison Moore.
Citizens around Corvallis were angry that the measure was not put onto the ballot, posting to The Gazette-Times blogs about their feelings.
"The city-wide Wi-Fi would have increased fees by about $12 a term, an increase that seems very reasonable," commented one blogger.
The wireless service would have provided wireless internet all over Corvallis, allowing students and citizens to be connected anywhere.
The service, provided by Stephouse Networks, ran a 90-day test trial in which Oregon State volunteers were provided free wireless internet in return for their feedback.
If the test runs provided positive feedback, the measure would be voted on for a $12 dollar increase in the fall term.
"It makes me a little sad that a referendum on renovating Rec sports facilities would pass, but one supporting public Wi-Fi did not even make it to a vote, even an advisory vote," another person commented on the Gazette-Times blog.
"Lots of students don't use the recreational facilities at OSU, but pretty much everyone uses the internet -and more to the point, almost everyone could use public Wi-Fi."
One of the reasons that the measure was not put on the ballot was the concern over the quality of the wireless service. The service had issues with connection drops and slow access.
"During winter term we did a trial and then I compiled a survey to send out to the participants who used the service. The feedback was fairly negative regarding the quality of the service provided," said ASOSU Executive Chief of Staff Matt Pennington.
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