By Karina Martinez-CarterThe Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University Information Technology will raise the bar.

NUIT is in the early stages of developing better cell phone coverage in a number of campus locations notorious for having few to no bars of service – Norris University Center, Fisk Hall, McCormick Tribune Center and Kellogg’s Allen and Jacobs centers – said Wendy Woodward, director of technology and support services.

Woodward said the project is progressing at different speeds in the various buildings and departments involved. The endeavor hinges on compliance from cell phone carriers and the willingness and funding of campus departments.

Woodward said on-campus coverage has improved in the past few years because of the independent efforts of cell phone providers, such as building more service towers near campus.

But NUIT’s project is more proactive, she said. NUIT will find carriers willing to participate and then will acquire and install the necessary equipment.

“It’s a combination of hardware, wiring and vendor contracts being put into place,” she said. “It’s an extensive process.”

Woodward was unable to give exact numbers, but she said the project would be a “costly endeavor.”

Norris Executive Director Rick Thomas said Norris and NUIT have had only preliminary conversations about the project. He said while the Norris staff supports the project, NUIT is in control of whether it comes to fruition.

Thomas said that in the past, Norris and Associated Student Government have conducted surveys regarding cell phone coverage on campus and in Norris. He said the surveys have concluded that students and faculty wish they had better reception at NU.

“Norris is a building that people are coming to for social things,” he said. “I would say it certainly makes sense that better coverage would be more desirable.”

Weinberg freshman Will Stokely said while Verizon Wireless provides him full coverage inside Norris, inconsistent service remains a problem.

He said he also has difficulty getting reception in his dorm, Bobb Hall. Often, he said, when he is in a place where he has good reception, he can’t reach his friends because they are not.

“I’ll try to call someone in Norris, and it goes straight to their voicemail,” he said. “Maybe they turned their phone off, but chances are they have no service. It’s an annoyance.”

First-year Kellogg graduate student Reena Tilva, who also uses Verizon, has service in the Kellogg buildings. She said cell phone service is crucial for the majority of graduate students who await calls from prospective employers.

“You always have to be available,” she said.

Tilva offered an alternative solution to inconsistent coverage. Before arriving at NU, she checked online blog discussions, inquiring about the best coverage on campus.

“Just switch your provider,” she said. “It could be your responsibility.”

This way, Kellogg could put the money required for the project toward improving its technological facilities, Tilva said.

“It alludes to the question of whether this would really be the best use of our capital,” she said.

Reach Karina Martinez-Carter at [email protected].