Nine times out of 10, the Wi-Fi at the HUB or the library does not work. Shockingly, ULM has failed to fix this issue, especially with most assignments being online.

Over the past few years, ULM has transitioned from in-class assignments to more online assignments. Sites like Moodle and Pearson have replaced printed worksheets and quizzes. Yet, the lack of internet in public buildings makes accessing online schoolwork extremely difficult.

Students and teachers communicate via email, which relies on the internet. Students study and do homework online. Some classes are held over Zoom, but students cannot join without internet access.

Nearly every assignment needs to be done or submitted using Wi-Fi. If there is no internet access, the assignment cannot be completed. 

According to ULM Recruitment, over 8,000 students attend ULM. With every student competing for Wi-Fi, no wonder the internet is spotty. 

When students all try to connect to the same network, overcrowding occurs. This means that every device must compete to connect to the internet. According to Abhay Bhorkar, director of product management at NetGear, overcrowding causes buffering and frustratingly slow internet speed. NetGear is a leading producer of computer software in the U.S.

ULM not only needs to invest in a better wireless network manufacturer but also allow each building to have its own separate network. 

Allowing each academic building to have its own separate network will stop overcrowding and increase internet speeds. Walker and Stubbs Halls could have individual Wi-Fi networks used by students attending classes. 

If ULM wants its students to succeed, the school needs to start by fixing the lousy internet.