Queens College students living in The Summit continue to struggle with weak Internet connections.
Based on convenience and an avoidance of long commutes, many students choose to dorm in the Summit. The apartment-style dormitory houses 506 students and costs $5,500 to $7,000 per semester. Many students like The Summit, but they expect it to come with working Wi-Fi.
Marina Nebro, a junior living in The Summit, was upset with the situation. After many failed attempts to login to Blackboard, the QC library database or spotty video chats with her friends and family, Nebro decided to organize a petition.
A poor Wi-Fi connection affects your academic work, said Nebro. Timed online tests can lose connection, which affects student grades and stress-levels.
Danielle Cohen, a student mostly pleased with the Summit, agrees with Nebro that certain things should change.
“There have been entire days when my computer wouldn’t connect to the internet,” Cohen said.
The Office of Converging Technologies explained to Cohen that if more than 15 people use the internet in one area, it won’t work. With the many dorm rooms close to each other, there are “obviously more people than that,” said Cohen.
OCT blames the Summit for the poor Wi-Fi connection, while the Summit blames OCT.
“Blame is being tossed around. Someone should take the blame and fix it,” said Nebro.
The summit has a strict no soliciting policy, which prevented Nebro from knocking on doors and asking residents to sign the petition. When she finally received approval to post the petition in the Summit, the signs were vandalized.
“The vulgarity that was placed on my petition is the same vulgarity that prevents innocent residences, like myself, from posting fliers for academic clubs or events,” said Nebro.
Graffiti appeared on other club posters around the Summit as well. Nebro grew “overwhelmed” and “disheartened” by the situation and resentful towards the staff.
“If the Summit Resident Assistants and staff can’t [or] won’t do anything about the vulgarity on my petition, then they have no business preventing me or anyone else from posting fliers,” Nebro said.
Students showed support on Facebook and agreed with Nebro when discussing the situation, but only 24 residents showed up at her dorm room to sign the petition.
Had she received more signers, Nebro would have sent the petitions to The Summit office, The Summit homeowners, vice president of student affairs, OCT and the president. She wrote to several of these addresses before, including a note about the recent fire incident at The Summit.
While students enjoy the convenience that The Summit offers, the “high price tag” warrants more. The Summit needs to lower their rent to be more competitive with local apartments that can be just as convenient, Cohen said.
The expensive cost and a build-up of frustrations caused Nebro to make a move for next semester.
“I’m looking forward to apartment hunting at the end of this year,” Nebro said.