Prepared for: The Administration of Saint Ignatius High School

Prepared by:  The Saint Ignatius Student Body

September 23, 2009

Proposal: Wireless Internet Access for the Student Body

Objective

The Saint Ignatius Community is severely limited in terms of access to the Internet. Admittedly, we have sufficient access inside of the computer labs, but these can be locked, closed, out of service, or otherwise rendered useless to the student body. The solution to this problem is clear: Wireless Internet access.

Goals

To establish wireless access to the school’s network and the Worldwide Web for the Saint Ignatius Student

Body, as governed by the Saint Ignatius rules and regulations regarding technology and Internet use.

Solution

Currently, an encrypted key protects the wireless Internet connection of Saint Ignatius High School. No students, and very few staff, have access to the connection. It is prudent in our increasingly technological age to keep up with spreading the flow of information freely between students, teachers, and the rest of the World.

Thus, the Students of Saint Ignatius High School stand firmly resolved that the administration should provide open access to a wireless connection to the Internet on the campus of Saint Ignatius High School, governed by the technological use policies of Saint Ignatius High School.

Nearly every college campus in America has provided their students with wireless Internet and network access. It is time that Ignatius takes another step into the twenty-first century and prepares their students for the modern age. While this may seem like a time-consuming process, it surely will not be. The administration need only do one of two things.

Additional Solvency

The following are possible solutions (whose merits will be discussed further) to the aforementioned problem:

1.Remove the password to the currently existing wireless network

A. This solution allows anybody to connect to the wireless network, possibly doing the community a great service. However, if overuse or security is an issue, simply simply installing the Novell system on the wireless network, requiring students to login with their school username and password before accessing the network, easily solves this problem

B. This is the quickest, most hassle-free solution for the students and administration alike

2.Provide the Student Body with the password to said wireless network

A. This restricts access to only those with the password, ensuring maximum security. As an extra precaution, the administration could install the Novell system on the wireless network

B. Though requiring more work (namely, distributing the password through the Student Body), this solution provides maximum security

Conclusion

Allowing the students to access the network wirelessly provides significant benefits over the current, computer lab-only access situation. First, the students can access their network drives over the wireless connection, allowing them to access files that they may need for class quickly and efficiently. Second, wireless inter-net allows complete freedom of use of computers from all over the school. No matter where a student is, he will always have access to his student e-mail, school files, and educational supplements. Third, providing Internet to students while anywhere on campus is a vital educational experience. Imagine, the expanse of knowledge contained on the internet, accessible without the inconvenience of having to leave class, pack up, or walk between buildings. It allows students to remove themselves from the library atmosphere, potentially removing distractions to the librarians, casual readers, or those doing homework. Fourth, it generates more access in the ever-crowded library. Rather than fight for seats at the rare open computer in the computer lab (or in some cases, steal a seat), students can feel relaxed, and able to use the Internet and network when they please. Fifth, there are no security concerns involved in this proposal. Solution two is self-explanatory, as users need a password to access the Internet. Solution one is secure, as well, because the wireless network does not extend off-campus and Novell could be used to filter access. Sixth, this allows those involved in extracurricular activities, which rely heavily on the Internet (Junior Council on World Affairs, Speech, Debate, etc.) to access information freely. Finally, students will not be any more distracted by the availability of the network on their computers. The wireless network could be restricted through Super-Scout, ensuring no inappropriate or distracting website-use. Also, students are currently permitted to use mobile computers in their classes. Therefore, there is no reason why increasing Internet access would uniquely increase the distraction that is already potentially provided by notebook computers. In fact, allowing students to connect to the network allows the administration to monitor computer usage, actually allowing them to remove potential for distraction, and to reprimand those that circumvent measures already taken.

– Cameron Colella

To sign this petition, click here.

Dear Students and Citizens, Friends and Visitors,

Another school year has swung close and as we look back on the past few months it is important to recognize the strides we have made as a publication, and more importantly, to find where we want to go in the future.

The West Side Review had a very successful take-off a few months ago. We have had well over 3,000 visitors on our site who have varied from the left (Republicans Whine and Aren’t Productive) to the right (Credit Card Regulation = Socialism = Evil!) and have accumulated about 70 comments worth of discussion to accompany our 8 articles (now 9 with this one)!

We have also learned that about 35% of us aren’t big fans of water-boarding while about 33% of us believe torture to be useful under some circumstances. A hefty 1/4 believe that we didn’t give you very good options on the poll, while a surprising 10% of visitors say that its torture for them to even think about torture!

We have also donated the proceeds from our advertising to The West Side Catholic Center (the $$ number for this one is coming) and have recruited a large number of visitors through our facebook group.

But where are we going? As a country? As a community? As The West Side Review? Although I can’t speak for the country or greater world, I would like to write about where I believe The West Side Review will go in the near future.

Our first goal is to include more community members in our circles of discussion. Although we do have a wide user base, most people reading this letter are probably students. While this situation has been fruitful in ideas and controversy, our vision will only be fulfilled when men and women outside of the High School demographic are writing articles or criticizing our ideas or taking our polls. We are struggling with finding efficient ways to reach everyday people, but promise to devote ourselves to this end.

We would also like to include other schools in our dialogue. Although it is impractical to attempt to expand in this way over the summer, as school is out of session, we hope that with next year will come staff members and columnists from other public and private schools besides St. Ignatius. Although we are a West Side Publication, we welcome anyone to contribute: no exceptions. Everyone’s on the west side of something, right? We welcome everyone.

Obviously we would like more people to see our site and more articles to be submitted (this one is key) and more votes cast, but all this will come in time. We have faith that, in general, people are hungry for pure dialogue. As we continue to advertise, expand our facebook group, and diligently send e-mails and letters to people who have never heard of us, we are confident that The West Side Review will be a force of democracy and an exercise of liberty in a world foreign to the freedom of speech.

Thank you for your loyalty, dedication, and commitment and stay with us as we charge into this summer and beyond. Please leave lots of suggestions as comments in the box below.

Have a safe vacation.

Your Editor-in-Chief

–Nathan Peereboom