Preparations Start for Campus Telecommunications Upgrade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2001
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Preparations Start for Campus Telecommunications Upgrade
Preparations have begun for an $11.67-million telecommunications infrastructure project slated to begin in March 2002 that will greatly enhance California State University, Chico’s technology capabilities.
Bright color markings are being made on concrete and asphalt locations around campus, identifying where underground trenches carrying copper and fiber cable will be located.
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Initiative is a CSU-wide project impacting all 23 campuses in the system. CSU, Chico is in the first phase of campuses to begin the telecommunications upgrade.
When the project is completed, planned for November 2003, approximately 37 buildings on campus will be connected by more than 9,000 linear feet of trenches.
Within buildings, approximately 14,000 jacks will need to be installed in classrooms, labs, offices and large common areas. Existing conduits and telecommunication rooms in buildings will be outfitted or new ones will be built to accommodate the new cable.
“This project will allow the campus future growth in its technology needs without having to focus on providing basic infrastructure to a location, something we continually face currently due to the age and limitations of our buildings,” said Glennda Morse, interim director of Facilities Management Services. “The project also implements standards that will become consistent throughout every campus in the system.”
The first stage of the project will involve trenching and installation of underground pathways as well as cabling and wiring between and inside of buildings. Stage two will focus on installation of electronics, such as routers, hubs and switches, for the data networks.
A competitive bid process will be conducted at the beginning of 2002 to award the stage-one project contract. Pacific Bell/SBC Global Network has been awarded the contract for all stage-two work.
Morse said interior construction will be performed after hours with a night crew; however, the trenching work on campus will be done during the day. She said efforts are being made by an architectural firm to route trenches so there is minimal damage to campus trees.
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