How many times did it take you to actually open up this browser? One, two, maybe three times? The aggravating idea of not being able to connect to the Internet is an unfortunate and daily struggle for most all of the Fordham community. In fact, even as I write this, I have zero Wi-Fi signal bars. How perfect. One would think that a school that costs a fortune to attend would actually provide it's students and staff with remotely workable and accessible Wi-Fi. Yet of course, the probability of that happening is close to never, or so it seems.
Not only does the terrible Wi-Fi affect my laptop, but also my phone. I constantly have to take my phone off of Wi-Fi and use my regular phone data if I want my social media apps like Instagram or Snapchat to load. Sadly, if I continue to use my data instead of Wi-Fi, I run the risk of going over my data plan, making my family pay even more money on the phone bill. I know what you may be thinking, who am I to be complaining about the lack of Internet when there are people dying of hunger around the world? There truly are many other things in this life to worry about.
Seriously though, this first world problem is an extreme nuisance that I and the rest of the Fordham community have to deal with every day. Katie Albright, sophomore at Fordham, says, “On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate Fordham’s Wi-Fi as a -666.” Coincidental number choice? I think not. Katie continues that “the only place I can actually get Wi-Fi on my laptop is in the study lounges of O’Hare Hall because I get no Internet in my room.” Imagine that. You come back to your room from a stressful day of classes and can’t even watch Netflix in the comfort of your own bed. Does any of this ring true for my fellow rams? I know I can certainly feel her pain on a personal level.
It may be accurate to say that Fordham as a whole cannot be entirely blamed for the inconvenience of no Internet. It is very possible that the Internet service provider catering to the school works poorly in general. Nevertheless, if this is the case there needs to be a change. Maybe a simple service change is all it will take to make our lives a little bit easier. It is unfair for the students, professors, and administration to not have access to their Internet-based technology. Living in a borough of New York City, one of the most thriving cities in the world, we undoubtedly have the right to high speed and reliable Internet. But until that day comes, I will continue to suffer turning my Internet back on and off in hopes that maybe this time the Wi-Fi will truly work.
