speed internet, improved cell service to be implemented on campus

Sebastian Grant

Contributing Writer

VCU will improve campus internet connectivity and cellular network capabilities in the coming weeks.

This internet overhaul began recently, as the university’s MARIA Circuit — the external network connection provided by the Mid-Atlantic Research Infrastructure Alliance — was multiplied tenfold, according to Alex Henson, VCU’s chief information officer.

On average, there are 20,000 devices connected to the VCU wireless network at any given time. That number is nearly triple what it was back in 2015, Henson said.

The bandwidth was upgraded from 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) to 100, immediately affecting the VCU Computer Center on Main Street. However, an upgrade to the network’s backbone to 40 Gbps is planned to be implemented by the end of 2018.

Such improvements in the near future will allow for improved connectivity to Researchnet — the research network used largely for the transfer of large data sets by students and faculty. According to Henson, the increased bandwidth capacity will benefit the entire VCU community.

“Patrons would have less issues transferring files. People complain a lot about the services [in the library]. Accessing files is another thing that would benefit a lot too from an upgrade,” said Coleman Jennings, a senior who works as a library assistant.

As it stands, overall feelings about the internet services among students are mixed.

“My tuition is being wasted every year on stupid stuff like this,” said Khalid Elshowaya, a sophomore studying biochemistry. “I pay large amounts of money and it seems like nothing else gets better.”

While some consider the current network capabilities insufficient in regard to supporting online coursework or hobbies, others are thankful the internet is not as bad as other places they have visited.

“I’ve found that, for the most part, I stay connected and updated throughout the day and across campus on a reliable and safe network,” said Kelsey Ward, a junior studying psychology. “Although it’s often not the fastest, I’m confident that learning is always at my fingertips.”

The university is also tackling the issue of certain areas suffering from weaker cell phone coverage than others.

“While cell coverage is good in most areas, there are some locations that could benefit from a stronger carrier signal,” Henson said.

One strategy to remedy this problem would be the addition of strategically-placed cell towers across campus, according to Henson. A school-wide meshed cell network is also being considered. The school is in talks with carriers to determine what plan would be most fulfilling and beneficial to students.

“Sometimes the call will drop, or it will break up mid-conversation,” Amber Pierson, a freshman living in Gladding Residence Hall said. “Sometimes that’s frustrating, because then I have to call people back, and sometimes I’ll just have to give up and text them.”

Community efforts raise awareness for National Recovery Month

Chip Lauterbach

Contributing Writer

September marks National Recovery Month in the U.S. — the goal of which is to educate the population, promote a healthy lifestyle and provide assistance to those who battle addiction issues and mental health-related struggles.

There are many recovery-related efforts in full swing in the Richmond area, including at VCU.

VCU student Eric — who requested his last name be withheld for privacy — said he owes the Richmond recovery community for his ability to return to classes as he approaches graduation next May.

“Eliminating the stigma is one of the most difficult hurdles that I try to combat every day,” said Eric, who works at True Recovery RVA, a local recovery community organization. “With the opioid epidemic at the plateau it seems to have reached, almost everyone in the United States has been affected by addiction. I hope that the stigma words like ‘heroin,’ ‘addiction’ and ‘addict’ carry will soon evaporate.”

Another active organization in the local recovery community is the McShin Foundation. Founded in 2004, McShin has been on the front lines of the opioid crisis, led by CEO Honesty Liller and founder John Shinholser.

“We celebrate National Recovery Month every September to help the community understand substance use disorders,” Liller said. “This gives hope to those still in active addiction, their families, people in recovery, as well as the community at large to reduce the negative outlook on addiction.”

In addition to assistance in the Richmond community, VCU has its own orga- nizations dedicated to helping people with addiction, such as Rams in Recovery — a peer-to-peer recovery group. Additional student resources, including information about groups and meetings, can be found at The Well at 815 S. Cathedral Street.

National Recovery Month began in 1989 through efforts led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In Virginia alone, overdose deaths have more than doubled in the last decade, increasing from 721 in 2007 to 1,538 in 2017, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Furthermore, 2017 was the worst year for drug overdose deaths nationwide at more than 72,000 — nearly 200 deaths a day. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than two-thirds of those deaths were from opiates, like heroin and fentanyl.

The local recovery movement is making some gains, with data from the first quarterly report by the Virginia Department of Health showing drug related fatalities have slowed in 2018.

After facing ups and downs throughout the past several years, Eric said going back to school and being a student in recovery helps him prioritize his life.

“My recovery is extremely important to me. You could almost say my life depends on it, because it does,” Eric said. “I also find that when I am clean I feel a part of something bigger than me, not only the organization I help out, but also in society as a whole.”

For students looking for external help, the McShin Foundation can be contacted at 804-249-1845 and True Recovery RVA can be reached at 804-690-2204.

Today, students and staff on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses can utilize upward of 3,750 wireless access points with an average weekly download of 43 terabytes. This proliferation of access points — up about 1,000 WAPs compared to three years ago — can be attributed to the initiative from VCU Technology Services to bring more widespread, stronger internet to the university.

To that end, according to Henson, VCU has already planned to replace all 3,750 access points within the next year. The access points will be swapped out for state-ofthe-art hardware that will support dual-gig connections which allow devices to connect simultaneously with two networks.

“This will result in faster throughput speeds for faculty, staff, and students as well as make management of the system easier,” Henson said.

Stat of the week

Senior forward Emily McNamara set a new school record for career goals and points during VCU’s victory against Saint Louis last weekend.