Parts of campus to be wireless by fall semester
Originally slated to begin during the upcoming school year, the campus wireless project is getting a head start, thanks to a $4.5 million institutional loan secured by Joel Valdez, senior vice president for business affairs, said Bob Lancaster, co-director of the UA Center for Computer and Information Technology.
Despite the enormity of the project, the following locations are expected to be wireless by the start of the fall semester: the UA Main Library, the Science-Engineering Library, the Manuel T. Pacheco Integrated Learning Center, the Student Union Memorial Center, the Park Student Union and the UA Mall from Old Main east to North Campbell Avenue, Lancaster said.
After access points are put in those buildings, the Fine Arts Library, the Law Library at the James E. Rogers College of Law and several classrooms are expected to become wireless, Lancaster said.
Originally, a student technology fee was going to directly fund the project, but now the fee will go towards repaying the loan, Lancaster said.
“”With 10 million square feet to cover, there is a lot to be done,”” Lancaster said.
Student starts free summer camp
A passion for science and helping others has led one UA student to create a free science summer camp for local middle-school students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Grace Hsieh, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, Asian studies, and molecular and cellular biology, said after realizing there was not a program like it on campus, she founded InnoWorks, a UA chapter of the United InnoWorks Academy.
InnoWorks is an innovative science and engineering program designed by college students around the nation for disadvantaged middle school students, Hsieh said.
The program, which runs from July 12 to July 19, aims to familiarize students with concepts through interactive presentations and activities.
“”We want them to think of themselves as young scientists and engineers so they engage themselves in all stages of the learning cycles,”” Hsieh said of the 24 participants.
Despite all of her efforts, Hsieh said she relies on UA student volunteers to ensure the future of InnoWorks.
“”All volunteers are so dynamic, motivated and passionate,”” Hsieh said. “”They are all very interested in seeing InnoWorks through.””
Photo exhibit portrays Katrina aftermath
A photography exhibit at the Arizona Health Sciences Library features images of the devastation of the hurricane along with the people who were working to help the survivors.
The images were taken by Dr. Kenneth V. Iserson, professor of emergency medicine at the College of Medicine and a member of the Arizona Disaster Medical Assistance Team, as well as by members of other DMATs from around the nation who were deployed to Louisiana after the hurricane, Iserson said.
The exhibit provides viewers with an opportunity to not only see just how devastating some natural disasters can be, but it also allows people to see their colleagues providing needed services, Iserson said.
“”I hope that this exhibit will get people to volunteer to help with these disasters either on DMAT teams or through other agencies,”” Iserson said.
The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is on display through Aug. 31 at the Arizona Health Sciences Library.
-Campus Briefs are compiled by Courtney Smith
