MSJ restricts Wi-Fi for personal devices starting October 27

By Staff Writers Rosie Gao & Alice Hu

Introduction

On October 27, FUSD decommissioned the DO Staff and Cutover networks at MSJ, replacing them with new networks, including FUSD Internal for district-issued laptops and FUSD Guest MS for visitors. While school-issued Chromebooks and district-issued laptops remain connected, most students were not given passwords to the networks and can no longer access the  Internet on their personal devices.

Although the transition caught many students off guard, it was not a new policy. At the beginning of the school year, FUSD updated its district-wide technology policy on its official website, establishing that schools would no longer provide Wi-Fi access for students. 

According to Medrano, MSJ’s transition was intended to address cybersecurity concerns, including unauthorized access to district networks and phishing scam emails. “I think [FUSD is] just looking for a safer Internet experience. They want to ensure that we’re not going to get hacked [and that] everyone [is protected],” Medrano said. 

Classroom impact

Some classes that rely on digital tools have been able to accommodate the Wi-Fi restriction. FUSD’s Technology Department has issued school-owned Dell laptops to classes and publications — including Smoke Signal, Yearbook, and Digital Imaging — that require platforms unavailable on school Chromebooks. Yearbook Adviser Rachel Tevlin collaborated with Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist Ricardo Guzman and Principal Amy Perez to identify alternatives for students in those classes.  “Teachers who needed [devices] more powerful than Chromebooks would get Dell laptops,” Tevlin said.  

Student impact

MSJ students have raised concerns about the Wi-Fi restriction, citing its effects on communication, increased cellular data use, and overall countereffectiveness on FUSD’s mission to reduce personal device usage. The Smoke Signal conducted a survey among 58 MSJ students from November 2-4; 40 respondents rated the restriction’s impact on their ability to communicate with peers and family a four or five on a five-point scale, while 51 rated the inconvenience caused by the restriction the same. 

For Sophomore Isha Sriram, being unable to access the Internet at school makes contacting her parents and friends during lunchtime difficult. “My mom will generally text me a message saying, ‘I dropped off your lunchbox,’ but now I don’t get those. If I want to meet up with a friend, I’m not able to text them,” Sriram said. 51 out of 58 respondents in the same survey reported high levels of cellular data usage since the shutdown, selecting a four or five on the same scale. Students who have used cellular data on campus have reported it being costly and less efficient. “It’s very slow and unreliable, and it makes it difficult to do a lot of important work,” Senior Verdant Nair said. 

Overall, 57 out of 58 (98%) respondents to the Smoke Signal’s survey agreed that students should have access to school Wi-Fi during non-instructional hours. 

Effect on clubs and ASB

Beyond the classroom, the Wi-Fi restriction has also affected student clubs and organizations that use online platforms and personal devices to coordinate meetings, conduct presentations, and organize school events. “[Clubs] have slideshows to present on a TV, [and they have to use] their personal computer [for] their club emails. And then for ASB, we have council meetings every Wednesday … which also needs Wi-Fi,” ASB Treasurer Senior Melody Gao said. 

However, the restriction has not affected all clubs equally. “I don’t think my work as a club officer has been affected,” MSJ MUN Vice President and MSJ Civics Club President Senior Sihan Zhang said, explaining that students have found alternative ways to access the Internet. These workarounds, however, are not equally accessible to all students, according to Zhang. “I think that people without phones and… hotspot … are fundamentally disadvantaged.” 

Meanwhile, school administrators have agreed to grant ASB officers access to the district’s Wi-Fi network following discussions about responsibilities in conducting school activities. “Before they said that they could exempt … some of our personal devices, [but] instead they just gave the classroom a few Ethernet cables. We negotiated with the admin, and they allowed ASB officers to have Internet access, but IT hasn’t come to give it to us yet,” Gao said. Although ASB members will reportedly retain network access, it remains unclear whether other student organizations will receive similar accommodations in the future.