Columbia State Community College is currently installing a state-of-the-art Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and wireless network system on all five campuses.

?This is the most advanced network system available right now,? explains Emily Siciensky, Columbia State?s associate vice president of information technology. ?We are the first community college in the state to implement the VOIP system on a large scale.?

The VOIP system will allow the College to send emergency alerts at one time across multiple campuses and buildings, something that is not possible now. It will provide the ability to switch phone locations without the traditional line changes and provide a way for calls to go campus to campus with a five digit number. A unified messaging system will give staff the ability to read voice messages in their e-mail inbox on their computer.

?Ultimately, this system will save the College money on long distance phone services,? states Siciensky. ?The phone calls are routed through the campus closest to where the call is near.?

In addition to the VOIP system, a wireless network will allow students and staff the opportunity to use laptops in buildings and common areas on campuses to do work.

Mark Larsen, a sophomore studying general business, thinks the wireless system is a good idea. ?I think it is great, sometimes the computer labs and cyber center are crowded. Now, I will be able to bring my laptop and get online to access the Internet to do research for papers in other quiet areas of the campus,? states Larsen.

Columbia State employees are equally as excited about the technology improvements. ?The wireless system will help us do outreach to students,? explains Dusty Doddridge, director of student development. ?It is hard for us to get students to our physical location, now we can go to them. We have a great career services Web site with wonderful online career planning tools. Now, we can bring the technology and tools to students, which is really cool.?

The sophisticated systems should be fully operational by December.