This month, the 2,800-student school has announced two major new partnerships that Benedict officials believe will move the college forward educationally and technologically.
Benedict recently selected Ruckus Wireless to be its sole provider of Wi-Fi voice, data and video services across the 100-acre campus in downtown Columbia. Some 30 buildings are being fitted with the system, which uses dual-band broadbeam technology. Known as “beamforming,” it is a recent technological development whereby signals are directed along the best path available, steering around obstacles or interference for maximum performance.
Advances Ruckus has made in beamforming enable Benedict to implement a campus-wide network with better reliability and multimedia support at a fraction of the cost and maintenance of conventional wireless systems, says Stacey Jones, vice president for institutional effectiveness and sponsored programs and research at Benedict.
Prior to Ruckus, Benedict used Cisco Wi-Fi services, but connectivity was uneven across campus and Benedict officials believed that total coverage was crucial for the college’s future.
“Things have changed dramatically [in technology],” Benedict chief information officer Darrell Black says in an announcement of the upgrade. “There’s a tidal wave of new Wi-Fi-enabled devices being brought onto campus. And students, guests, faculty and staff have all come to expect wireless connectivity wherever they are.
“Providing wireless connectivity isn’t the problem — providing reliable Wi-Fi connectivity is.”
Before deciding on Ruckus Wireless, Benedict staff studied the Wi-Fi practices of more than 20 universities and observed that four issues typically arise with connectivity in higher education environments: poor signal coverage, dropped connections, erratic performance and complex configuration and management.
“The deployment of the dynamic beamforming technology established the college as a pioneer in providing the greater campus community with broadband access,” Jones says.
The system is expected to be in place by the fall.
Meanwhile, Benedict also recently announced that it would cement a long-term partnership with Midlands Technical College that allows students at Midlands Tech expanded access to some of Benedict’s programs and services.
The bridge program, which takes effect this fall, formalizes an agreement made nine years ago. It is designed to ease the transition of students from Tech to Benedict by ensuring that they have met core requirements and allowing them to form relationships with Benedict staff.
“Midlands Technical College plays an important role in helping its students reach their full potential within the global economy and helping them to accomplish their academic and personal goals,” Midlands Tech president Sonny White says. “For many of our students, these goals include receiving a four-year degree or higher.
“Through this [bridge] program, we are striving to make the transition from Midlands Technical College to Benedict College as seamless as possible. It’s important to both colleges that these students are fully prepared to succeed academically,” White continues. “The bridge program with Benedict is a convenient way for students to begin their education at [Midlands Tech] and still take advantage of many of the great services and opportunities offered by Benedict.”
Benedict recently selected Ruckus Wireless to be its sole provider of Wi-Fi voice, data and video services across the 100-acre campus in downtown Columbia. Some 30 buildings are being fitted with the system, which uses dual-band broadbeam technology. Known as “beamforming,” it is a recent technological development whereby signals are directed along the best path available, steering around obstacles or interference for maximum performance.
Advances Ruckus has made in beamforming enable Benedict to implement a campus-wide network with better reliability and multimedia support at a fraction of the cost and maintenance of conventional wireless systems, says Stacey Jones, vice president for institutional effectiveness and sponsored programs and research at Benedict.
Prior to Ruckus, Benedict used Cisco Wi-Fi services, but connectivity was uneven across campus and Benedict officials believed that total coverage was crucial for the college’s future.
“Things have changed dramatically [in technology],” Benedict chief information officer Darrell Black says in an announcement of the upgrade. “There’s a tidal wave of new Wi-Fi-enabled devices being brought onto campus. And students, guests, faculty and staff have all come to expect wireless connectivity wherever they are.
“Providing wireless connectivity isn’t the problem — providing reliable Wi-Fi connectivity is.”
Before deciding on Ruckus Wireless, Benedict staff studied the Wi-Fi practices of more than 20 universities and observed that four issues typically arise with connectivity in higher education environments: poor signal coverage, dropped connections, erratic performance and complex configuration and management.
“The deployment of the dynamic beamforming technology established the college as a pioneer in providing the greater campus community with broadband access,” Jones says.
The system is expected to be in place by the fall.
Meanwhile, Benedict also recently announced that it would cement a long-term partnership with Midlands Technical College that allows students at Midlands Tech expanded access to some of Benedict’s programs and services.
The bridge program, which takes effect this fall, formalizes an agreement made nine years ago. It is designed to ease the transition of students from Tech to Benedict by ensuring that they have met core requirements and allowing them to form relationships with Benedict staff.
“Midlands Technical College plays an important role in helping its students reach their full potential within the global economy and helping them to accomplish their academic and personal goals,” Midlands Tech president Sonny White says. “For many of our students, these goals include receiving a four-year degree or higher.
“Through this [bridge] program, we are striving to make the transition from Midlands Technical College to Benedict College as seamless as possible. It’s important to both colleges that these students are fully prepared to succeed academically,” White continues. “The bridge program with Benedict is a convenient way for students to begin their education at [Midlands Tech] and still take advantage of many of the great services and opportunities offered by Benedict.”
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