Reliable network connectivity is a cornerstone of daily campus operations. As part of ITS’ ongoing efforts to invest in infrastructure improvements, on January 5, 2026, we will launch a comprehensive, multi-month Campus WiFi Assessment Initiative.

We’re Walking the Walk

Over the coming months, our network operations and support staff will be logging some serious steps. As part of the discovery process, we are embarking on a systematic walking tour of over 130 campus buildings and spaces to map the current signal environment and assess connectivity.

Why the cardio? Because we need to capture how the network performs in the physical spaces where you teach, learn, and work. In fact, ITS staff will need to walk all buildings at least twice to collect the necessary data. Once captured, this data will help ITS identify areas for potential optimization.

What to Expect

To get an accurate reading of how WiFi performs in the real world, we need to test it under real-world conditions—and that includes when rooms are full of people.

It’s a quirk of physics: wireless signals (RF) are affected by the environment, including walls, furniture, and yes—us! The human body can actually absorb or deflect WiFi signals. A room that tests perfectly when empty might behave differently when it's packed for a lecture.

As a result, we’re coordinating with every building’s point of contact to walk through each space. You may see our staff quietly enter your classrooms, labs, conference rooms, and office spaces while they are in use to capture signal readings. 

How to Spot Us

If you see someone walking slowly through your building, staring intently at a device, and looking like they are concentrating very hard—that’s probably us. If that doesn’t give it away, our team members will be clearly identified with an ITS lanyard.

A few key things to note:

• We’ll be quick and quiet! We are just there to measure signal strength, not to interrupt your lecture or meeting.
• We respect your privacy. We are analyzing network traffic patterns and signal density, we are not monitoring your personal data or activities.

Making IT Possible

Unfortunately, there is no single "magic button" for seamless wireless connectivity, which is why this assessment is so vital. By putting in the steps (literally) to gather this data, we can build a detailed map of our campus network to make informed decisions about future configurations and potential hardware needs.

If you see us on campus, give us a “WiFive”! Thank you for your partnership as we work to build a better connected UCR.

Questions? For more information on this initiative please contact ITS online at its.ucr.edu/help or via phone at 951-827-4848.