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When the new Sierra College semester begins Aug. 31, students and their laptops will be free to roam.
The Sierra Community College Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Rocklin-based college district, raised $210,000 in four months this spring to provide wireless Internet service for every student with a laptop at the community college system's four campuses in Rocklin, Roseville, Grass Valley and Truckee.
The money was raised entirely by the foundation, with contributions from Wells Fargo, the United Auburn Indian Community and the Nevada County Coordinating Council and other groups, said Executive Director Sonbol Aliabadi.
The project stemmed from a survey completed about two years ago that asked students to rank a list of their needs. Wireless Internet was near the top of the list, Aliabadi said.
“Everybody understands how important technology is in this day and age,” she said. “It was not hard to convince donors that this was needed.”
The project is 99 percent complete, Aliabadi said, and is expected to go live Aug. 15.
Students (roughly 20,000 students attend classes at the various campus locations) and faculty will have wireless access via a secured connection. Guests can receive a pass while they are on campus. The access is available in all common areas, including classrooms, libraries and cafeteria areas.
“I'm excited about this,” Aliabadi said. “I'm going to take my laptop and work outside.”
The Sierra Community College district may be the only college within the Sacramento area that has all-access wireless capability, she noted. The district draws students from parts of Sacramento, Placer and Nevada counties.
Aliabadi said the foundation may not be done providing technology tools. With budgets tight, there are plans to raise money through the foundation to provide computers to students who can't afford one.
“Our goal is to provide the best education for our students especially in these economic times,” said Aliabadi.
The Sierra Community College Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Rocklin-based college district, raised $210,000 in four months this spring to provide wireless Internet service for every student with a laptop at the community college system's four campuses in Rocklin, Roseville, Grass Valley and Truckee.
The money was raised entirely by the foundation, with contributions from Wells Fargo, the United Auburn Indian Community and the Nevada County Coordinating Council and other groups, said Executive Director Sonbol Aliabadi.
The project stemmed from a survey completed about two years ago that asked students to rank a list of their needs. Wireless Internet was near the top of the list, Aliabadi said.
“Everybody understands how important technology is in this day and age,” she said. “It was not hard to convince donors that this was needed.”
The project is 99 percent complete, Aliabadi said, and is expected to go live Aug. 15.
Students (roughly 20,000 students attend classes at the various campus locations) and faculty will have wireless access via a secured connection. Guests can receive a pass while they are on campus. The access is available in all common areas, including classrooms, libraries and cafeteria areas.
“I'm excited about this,” Aliabadi said. “I'm going to take my laptop and work outside.”
The Sierra Community College district may be the only college within the Sacramento area that has all-access wireless capability, she noted. The district draws students from parts of Sacramento, Placer and Nevada counties.
Aliabadi said the foundation may not be done providing technology tools. With budgets tight, there are plans to raise money through the foundation to provide computers to students who can't afford one.
“Our goal is to provide the best education for our students especially in these economic times,” said Aliabadi.
To contact Staff Writer David Mirhadi, e-mail dmirhadi@theunion.com or call 477-4239.
