Hastings Wireless and Student Life

Dear Mr. Noble,

While I appreciate your explanation of the problems with the wireless access, I would like to express some concerns regarding the whole situation.

First, I find it very troubling that this decision was made without any opportunity for public comment or notification of the student body. From my understanding, ASUCH was not consulted or notified about this decision. This has led to almost two weeks of constant questions and complaints that have gone unanswered for lack of information by student leaders. This is extremely frustrating considering the level of cooperation and assistance various Hastings departments and offices have received from student leaders at Hastings this year.

Second, in a year where students have already been tremendously inconvenienced by the construction in the 200 building I find the reduction in bandwidth completely unacceptable, especially during this time of year. I have my reservations about the pace of the bandwidth improvement and suspect that, like so many other decisions made at Hastings, this one was made with little consideration for the practical implications it would have for students.

Third, I would like more information about what essential functions have been impeded by the bandwidth use you mention. I respect the fact that all members of the Hastings community require access to the network but I would like to draw your attention to the reality that a majority of those community members are students. I assume this decision was made pursuant to complaints from certain departments. I dont think it is unreasonable to inquire about the source and nature of these complaints.

Fourth, your suggestion that students plug into the carrels in the Gold Room takes for granted the small number of students that would have this option. The ongoing construction has forced students to study and work in many places in the 198 building that do not even have electricity outlets much less Ethernet ports.

Finally, I believe that the timeline you presented is problematic and should be revised to restore bandwidth immediately. The administration cannot continue to expect grace from a student body and student leaders who are continually being made to bear the burden of decisions such as this. I understand that bandwidth, like space, is finite but please understand that our patience is as well.

Situations like this only exacerbate the frustration that students have with the law school and its decision-making process. While the concerns about the dropping appeal of Hastings to perspective applicants should remain paramount, the quality of life for individuals who have already made the commitment to the law school cannot continue to be overlooked.