Tyler Junior College is providing Wi-Fi for those who do not have good access to it by providing Wi-Fi in parking lots S4, F3, F4 and F5 for students to work in their cars.
“TJC is very aware of the hardship these recent events have put on our students,” said Jeff Hassett, chief information officer at TJC. “Many students live in areas where good Wi-Fi and/or cellular service is not possible or are in financial situations where they relied on the school’s resources to complete their online coursework.”
The service is available 24/7, but support hours are limited. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday-Friday, TJC will have a staff technician at the help desk in the Vaughan Library for assisting students if they need help with Wi-Fi connections. Students can also call the IT help desk number at 903-510-3269 during those same hours.
Hassett said getting access to the internet from a car will be the same as indoors.
“Students in those parking lots will see the same Wi-Fi networks that you currently see inside of campus buildings,” Hassett said. “Campus signs indicating Wi-Fi hotspots will be posted so students will know which lots have this service.”
Student and faculty health and safety have already been taken into consideration with creating these Wi-Fi spots.
“Security of both staff and students are paramount,” Hassett said. “If large groups of 10 or more are gathered outside of their vehicles or people are observed violating the social distancing restrictions, they will be reminded and asked to return to their vehicles.”
Hassett added TJC is currently working on more resources for students.
“We continue to bring as many services available remotely as we can,” Hassett said. “We recommend that anyone with questions about student services at TJC visit the website for all the latest information.”
Hassett explained TJC had been in the works for improving their Wi-Fi for the outdoors.
“Campus leadership has been discussing the challenges of student access due to COVID19 related restrictions and asked what we could do to allow for Wi-Fi hotspots and keep appropriate restrictions in place,” Hassett said. “This conversation naturally led to utilizing parking spaces as potential. We were able to move quickly on this because equipment had already been secured for our campus project.”
Karli Finch • Jun 14, 2020 at 11:10 pm
As someone who lives in a dead zone were no good Wi-Fi is available I can say that this has been very helpful.
Kyle Lowery Jr • Jun 13, 2020 at 8:49 pm
I think it is great that TJC is acknowledging that students are struggling and are helping students do their work in this time of panic due to this unprecedented and aggressive virus.
I am glad that there are people out there that help others selflessly.
Jose Garcia • Jun 11, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Once again TJC has made another musing decision to make the best of these hard times for the students. I’m sure many students do not have the luxury or option to access wifi at home so this option can make a big difference in ones academics. It certainly beats being parked outside a McDonald’s parking lot!
Moriah Sundholm • Jun 10, 2020 at 5:30 pm
I certainly think that this effort to provide wifi in the parking lots is the right thing to do. I believe that since the corona, some full time students and even part time have not been able to get the internet that they are in need of to complete their school work. This may be the cause of why a student does not get accepted into nursing school or a program they were dreaming of being in. It is for sure not the fault of the student that they did not have wifi at the time that this pandemic hit across America.
Briana Garcia • Jun 9, 2020 at 1:29 pm
I believe offering Wi-Fi in the parking lot was beneficial for many. Many students depended on the Wi-Fi on campus to get their work done. Now that everyone had to go back home some students may not have Wi-Fi at home so by offering it in the parking lot it gave them the opportunity to have it at TJC. This also made it to where they didn’t even have to get out of their vehicles or come in contact with anyone in order to use the Wi-Fi.
Justin Osborne • Jun 6, 2020 at 6:33 am
I am so happy to see that TJC is placing these accommodations for students to be able to complete their course work with TJC provided resources. Thank you.
Justin Osborne • Jun 6, 2020 at 6:33 am
I am so happy to see that TJC is placing these accommodations for students to be able tol complete their course work with TJC provided resources. Thank you.