Robert and Mary Rita Murphy Stump Library The Xavierite
Since the start of the 2024-2025 academic year at Saint Xavier University there have been numerous reports from students about Wi-Fi issues across campus.
These connection issues have kept students and staff from being productive and accomplishing anything online.
It is exhausting to myself and other students when we come face to face with a loading screen for hours while trying to get caught up on assignments.
One student, Julyssa Nijera, said, “As a commuter student, I have not gone to the Library because of how bad the Wi-Fi is.” There is such a sad decrease in students in the Library because of the Wi-Fi issues. This is quite disappointing because the Library is on campus to provide support for the students in a quiet space.
The residence halls on campus are also seeing setbacks because of the Wi-Fi issue which is also the same setbacks throughout campus.
Frequently, I find myself having to connect a LAN cord to my electronics so that I can complete assignments in my dorm.
This issue has been so upsetting for residents that on Sept. 10, Vice President for Student Life Katy Thompson, Vice President for Student Life, sent out an email to the residents expressing concerns about the Wi-Fi issues. She stated that the IT department thought that the issues were resolved but concerns kept getting brought to their attention.
Sadly, these issues don’t stop at the dorms and the Library, but they’ve been felt campus-wide.
When asked about the Wi-Fi issues throughout campus student Alexandrea Clarke said, “I think that the Wi-Fi problem is frustrating because it has been happening all throughout campus. One of my classes that I have the most Wi-Fi issues with is when I have to go to the Graham building.”
SXU needs to see that without the ability to get class assignments done, students are becoming more anxious.
As she was questioned about the concern, student, Sophia Robledo, said that, “I find that the Wi-Fi at SXU is unreliable and it inflicts anxiety for me and other students when we are taking a test because the internet crashes throughout our tests.”
When I asked how students are trying to get through this rough patch with connection issues, Clarke also said, “I have to use my mobile hotspot just so I can complete my work on time”.
Hotspots are a tool for anyone with an electronic device. However, when it becomes the only way to get an internet connection, it becomes a negative tool. However, it uses up their phone data for the month and their battery life. Hotspots can bring extra charges to SXU students as well. The use of hot spots can become a big issue for students who are already struggling financially.
This shouldn’t be a reality for students on campus. Being a college student’s stressful enough without Wi-Fi issues disrupting our productivity .
However, there are many ways that SXU can improve with the troubled time surrounding the community.
Najera also pointed out that, “ There should be more employees on campus that know about technology to help students in need when The Hub is closed.”
However, this is just one suggestion. There can be more improvements to the Wi-Fi as we go throughout the year. A suggestion of mine is to add more routers around campus.
It shouldn’t be so hard for students to be academically successful. I hope our university fixes the problem to benefit the students. We are only a month into the new academic year. The SXU community having this many issues with the internet connection is astonishing.