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| CUA in the Top 10 | |
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CUA was ranked 8th in the nation in its level of technology infrastructure and computer services offered to students. Based on data from 357 colleges and universities, the rankings reflect an assessment of factors such as the ratio of computers to students, whether students can register for courses online, and whether a campus offers a university-wide computer network, wireless Internet capabilities and video- or audio-streaming capabilities. CUA is the only university in the Washington, D.C., area in the top 25 schools on the list, which can be found on the Forbes Web site at: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2004/10/20/04conncampland.html. “We’re constantly focusing on our students, trying to make sure they have the best available connections and the latest innovative technologies,” says Zia Mafaher, CUA’s chief information officer. “It is gratifying that that focus has been recognized by this ranking.” At CUA, students or prospective students can use the Internet to apply for admission, register for classes, check their grades and obtain transcripts and course schedules. Students also have access to a 24-hour computer lab. Every building on campus is connected to the university’s computer network and every building has high speed Internet access as well as access to Internet2, the nationwide research network. The university has boosted the number of computer-equipped, multimedia classrooms and has expanded its wireless computer network to include not only the library but also the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, the Columbus School of Law and the Centennial Village residence halls. In addition, many cultural and pedagogical programs and seminars are streamed live across the Web. The innovation extends beyond students to faculty, staff and even alumni. On Jan. 3, the university instituted a more integrated, Web based approach to campus business. It’s called Cardinal Station, accessed through a new Web portal, http://cardinalstation.cua.edu. The change heralds a new electronic era at the university. Later in 2005, all CUA employees will be able to fill out forms, make benefits changes and perform other tasks online; the university’s human resources operations will move from a paper-intensive environment to an electronic one. An important cyber-related benefit for alumni began last semester: an online alumni community that allows graduates to search a directory for information about former classmates. Each alumnus determines what information he or she wishes to make available by updating a personal profile. The site can be entered from the alumni Web page (http://alumni.cua.edu). Access is free and limited to CUA alumni. |
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Catholic University is one of the “10 Most Connected Campuses” in America, according to a new survey compiled by The Princeton Review and Forbes.com. 