Campus-Wide Internet Problems Disrupt Daily Activities

Sports Editor

   A campus-wide problem involving the network and Internet connections, as well as a computer virus, disrupted daily activities for students and faculty earlier this week.

   Faculty members and students felt the inconvenience of  occassional disruptions, which denied students access to the Internet for WebCT and campus e-mail. The problems also took down faculty e-mail and the BOLL system, which the campus uses for student enrollment.

   Mary Whiting, director of Admissions, said her office staff experienced interruptions.

   “According to my office staff, there were intermittent interruptions in the use of the telephone, Internet and POISE system on the campus Monday and Tuesday,” Whiting said.

   The problems did not shut the systems down completely, as some offices reported the ability to use the Internet and campus network periodically.

   Diane Forrest, administrative secretary in the Physical Plant, said she did not experience any problems, but several computers in her department experienced problems due to a virus. The virus spread throughout the campus network and caused several computers to be taken by Information Technology personnel for servicing. Forrest said two computers from her department experienced interruptions. IT fixed one on location and the other needed repairs.

   Mark Spencer, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, said he felt the effects of the virus as well. IT personnel cleaned Spencer’s computer completely to remedy the problem.

   “Fortunately, they were able to save all my files,” Spencer said.

   He also said no one in his department reported any problems as of Friday.

   “I know I’m happier today,” Spencer said.

   The problems appear to be cleared for now, but there is no information available on the virus outbreak.

   No one from the IT department could be reached for comment.

©The Voice 2008