- About wireless at Calvin - What is "eduroam" and why is Calvin using it?
- Available wireless networks - Which network I should use?
- Supported devices - What devices can I use and how do they connect?
- Wireless locations - Where is wireless available on Calvin's campus?
- Troubleshooting - How can I resolve common problems?
- Report a problem - Submit a problem form directly to CIT
About wireless at Calvin
What is "eduroam"?
From eduroam.org...
"eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community.
eduroam allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions by simply opening their laptop."
Where can you eduroam?
Global Map
US Map
Read eduroam FAQs
Why eduroam?
Calvin has chosen to participate in the eduroam community for several reasons:
- Calvin students, faculty, and staff are able to automatically connect to secure wireless networks at other participating colleges, universities, and research institutions world-wide.
- If a Calvin student, faculty, or staff member has a problem using eduroam at another location, Calvin's HelpDesk will be able to provide support.
- Eduroam offers a secure, encrypted connection and is based on the most secure encryption and authentication (login) standards in place today and uses the same level of security and the network infrastructure that Calvin already had in place.
- Visiting students, faculty, and staff from other eduroam institutions can use Calvin's wireless network just as they would at their home institution.
Available Wireless Networks
Calvin provides different ways to connect to Calvin's wireless network depending on your relationship to Calvin.
The eduroam wireless network is available for all Calvin faculty, staff, and teaching emeriti as well as currently enrolled Calvin students, dual-enrolled students, and admitted students who have paid their deposit. These networks require a Calvin account and passphrase and are not available for guest/visitor use. Any current Calvin student, faculty, or staff should use the eduroam network (not Guest).
The Guest network is available for all visitors and guests. This network requires registration every 24 hours. More information and connection instructions for guests
If you are unsure which network is available to you, please use the table below.
Role |
Wireless Access |
Authenticated/Open |
| Full-time faculty | eduroam | authenticated |
| Part-time faculty | eduroam | authenticated |
| Visiting faculty | eduroam | authenticated |
| Visiting scholars | eduroam | authenticated |
| Teaching emeriti | eduroam | authenticated |
| Active emeriti | eduroam | authenticated |
| Inactive emeriti | Guest | open |
| Full-time staff | eduroam | authenticated |
| Part-time staff | eduroam | authenticated |
| Temporary staff | eduroam | authenticated |
| Contract employee | eduroam | authenticated |
| Retiree | Guest | open |
| Student | eduroam | authenticated |
| Admitted applicant | Guest | open |
| Deposited applicant | eduroam | authenticated |
| Students on Hiatus | eduroam | authenticated |
| Graduates | eduroam | authenticated |
| Ex-students | eduroam | authenticated |
| Dual-enrolled students | eduroam | authenticated |
| Board of trustees | eduroam | authenticated |
| Guest/parent/visitor | Guest | open |
Supported Devices and Operating Systems
The CIT HelpDesk provides support for wireless connectivity for Microsoft Windows 7 & 8 and Apple Macintosh OS 10.X computers as well as a wide range of mobile devices. Other types of computers and devices may be able to work on Calvin's wireless but may not be supported by CIT (Linux/Unix computers for example).
Devices must be able to do 802.11x enterprise authentication and wireless "g" or "n" (not just "b") connections in order to work on eduroam.
For connection instructions, please click the link below that matches your computer or device.
- Mobile Android or iOS devices - iPads, iPods, smart phones, and other tablet devices
- Other Internet-ready devices - Game consoles (Wii, Xbox, Playstation), Nook, Internet TVs, DVRs
- Personal Computer - Windows 7
- Personal Computer - Windows 8
- Personal Computer - Mac OS 10.8
- Calvin Computer - Windows 7
If you are having difficulty connecting your device to eduroam, please stop by the HelpDesk (basement of the Hekman Library) during normal business hours Mon-Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM for assistance. Since there is such a large range of devices we support, we ask that you stop by in person with your computer or device rather than requesting assitance over the phone.
We are not able to support connecting personal desktop printers to the wireless networks. Many wireless printers do not have the configuration options for our network security. Students can print from their personal computers to public printers using WebPrint. Most personal desktop printers can be connected directly to the computer with a USB "A to B" type cable.
Wireless Locations
Wireless is available at all locations listed in the table below. Please note that coverage is not campus-wide and connectivity is only guaranteed at the specific locations listed below.
Academic/Administrative Buildings |
Location |
| Chapel (CP) | All, including outdoor plaza |
| Commons Annex (CA) | Basement level - Commons Lecture Hall (CA014) |
| 1st floor -lobby area | |
| 2nd floor - meeting rooms | |
| Commons (CM) | Johnny's Cafe |
| Dinning hall eating area | |
| Covenant Fine Arts Center (CF) | Auditoriums |
| Atriums | |
| Center Art Gallery | |
| Recital Hall (CF107) | |
| 2nd floor classrooms | |
| DeVos Communications Center (DC) | 1st floor (200 level) |
| 2nd floor (300 level) | |
| DeVries Hall (DH) | Basement level - WMRL |
| Atrium | |
| 1st floor - all classroom/lab areas | |
| 2nd floor - all classroom/lab areas | |
| 3rd floor - all classroom/lab areas | |
| Ecosystem Preserve Interpretive Center (EI) | All |
| Engineering Building (EB) | All |
| Hekman Library (HL) | 1st floor - ITC |
| 2nd floor - all | |
| 3rd floor - library area and Library Lobby (fireplace) | |
| Meeter Center Lecture Hall (HL320) | |
| 4th floor - library area only (not Meeter Center) | |
| Hiemenga Hall (HH) | 3rd floor - classrooms |
| 4th floor - classrooms | |
| Hoogenboom Center (HC) | Heath Services |
| Hoogenboom gym | |
| Knollcrest Dining Hall (KD) | Dining area only |
| Mail and Print Services (MP) | All |
| North Hall (NH) | All classrooms |
| Physical Plant (SR) | Office areas |
| Prince Conference Center (PC) | All |
| Raybrook Building (RB) | Parts of 1st and 2nd floor |
| Science Building (SB) | All classrooms and labs |
| Seminary (SM) | Common areas |
| Spoelhof Center (SC) | Basement level - lab theater and Gezon Auditorium |
| 1st floor - atrium, coffee shop, classrooms | |
| 3rd floor - Broene Center, Student Life, President's Office area, Academic Services, classrooms | |
| Spoelhof Fieldhouse (SF) | Lobby |
| Pool | |
| Surge Building (LN) | All |
| Van Noord (VN) | Van Noord Arena (arena and hospitality suite only) |
| VN227 | |
| VN235 | |
| Venema Aquatic Center (VA) | Pool area |
| Youngsma Center (YC) | All |
On-Campus Residence |
Location |
| Residence Halls BV, BB, BHT, KHvR, NVW, RVD, SE |
All |
| Courtyard apartments Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Kappa |
All |
| Other apartments PhiChi, ThetaEpsilon, RhoTao, ZetaLambda |
All |
Note for students: At peak times, the wireless networks may experience slowness or disrupted connections. If you experience slowness or disruption, CIT recommends using ResNet. Each dorm room or apartment has wired (ResNet) connections available. You can stop by the HelpDesk to pickup your free Ethernet cable. If you are using a stationary device - such as a game system, Netflix-streaming device, or desktop computer - please connect the device using Ethernet rather than wireless. This will give the stationary device a better connection and help accommodate mobile devices on wireless connections.
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing problems connecting to wireless, you may stop by the HelpDesk with your computer during business hours (8AM - 5PM Mon-Fri).
For your convenience, the following troubleshooting steps may resolve the issue:
- Is your wireless card turned on?
Many laptops have a physical wireless switch on either side or the front. These switches can be easily bumped into the "off" position. Other laptops have a wireless "hot button" on or above the keyboard, or allow wireless to be switched on/off by holding down the Fn key (usually in the bottom left area of the keyboard) and pressing the corresponding function key along the top. - Are you in an area that has wireless coverage?
We cannot guarantee connection outside of the areas listed above. Occasionally, an unreliable connection will be possible outside of these areas due to what is known as wireless bleed but these connections are not guaranteed. - If you are attempting to connect to eduroam, have you successfully configured the network on your computer?
For security reasons, connecting to these networks is not as simple as selecting the network and clicking Connect. There is a bit of setup involved that can be done manually or by connecting to the wireles_setup_instructions network, loading an Internet browser, and following the instructions. The XpressConnect application will automatically configure the wireless network on your computer. - If you are a student attempting to connect to eduroam, have you successfully registered your computer on the network this semester?
Each semester (fall, interim/spring, summer) we reset the system that manages the student wireless network; you will need to connect to eduroam, open an Internet browser, and follow the instructions for setup and registration. In order for your computer to be registered, it must pass our system requirements. - If you are connected to eduroam but have a 10.3.x.x IP address
This means you have connected to the network, but the computer has not completed registration. If you believe you have successfully completed the registration, please reboot your computer. This will release and renew the IP address and place your computer on the correct network. If you have not completed registration, please load an Internet browser and follow the instructions. - If you are unable to connect and have received a notice regarding an Acceptable Use Policy or DMCA violation
Please contact Student Life.
Report a Problem
Please complete and submit the following form if you would like to report a wireless connectivity problem to the HelpDesk. The submitted form will be entered into a work order. You will be contacted and/or updated on the status via your Calvin e-mail.
Note for students: At peak times, the wireless networks may experience slowness or disrupted connections. If you experience slowness or disruption, CIT recommends using ResNet. Each dorm room or apartment has wired (ResNet) connections available. You can stop by the HelpDesk to pickup your free Ethernet cable. If you are using a stationary device - such as a game system, Netflix-ready device, or desktop computer - please connect the device using Ethernet rather than wireless. This will give the stationary device a better connection and help accommodate mobile devices on wireless connections.
If you are having problems connecting your computer or mobile device to Calvin's network, you can stop by the HelpDesk (basement of the Hekman Library) during weekday hours Mon-Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM for immediate assistance.
