By Lesley DeVoss—
Muncie, IN – Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County Foundation is launching the Community Wi-Fi Initiative. Through unrestricted donations provided by the Marianne Glick and Mike Woods COVID-19 match dollars, they are able to assist students with Wi-Fi-internet access points at Earthstone Terrace, a public housing complex on the southside of Muncie.
With the help of Ivy Tech Muncie’s IT and the Muncie Housing Authority’s IT departments, Ivy Tech has established a router-hub in the complex office and clubhouse. Three laptops, purchased by the Ivy Tech Foundation, have been donated to the Muncie Housing Authority and will be housed in Earthstone’s Community Room for residents who do not have their own computer. All residents of Earthstone Terrace will have access to the laptops and Wi-Fi.
Current Ivy Tech students residing at Earthstone Terrace and already paying for Comcast through the Internet Essentials from Comcast program can submit a request to the Ivy Tech Foundation and, after verifying the students’ status, that bill will be paid through the Ivy Tech Foundation for up to one year. Other Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County students who do not have internet set up in their unit can complete a simple application that is submitted to the Ivy Tech Foundation. The Ivy Tech Foundation will verify the student’s enrollment status and, upon confirmation, the student will be provided with an access code to access the newly installed Wi-Fi. The Ivy Tech Foundation will also work with current Ivy Tech students using other internet providers through the same application process.
The laptops and internet will be accessible to any Earthstone Terrace resident in the Community Room. Ivy Tech students who are residents and have questions about how the Ivy Tech Foundation can assist them, can contact the Ivy Tech Foundation directly at Muncie-Foundation@ivytech.edu.
“At the Ivy Tech Foundation, our goal is to make sure that our students have everything they need to succeed. Through generous donations of our community partners matched with the generosity of Marianne Glick and Mike Woods, we are not only able to support our students, but we are also able to provide a much-needed resource to an entire community. This initiative has the potential to assist 99 units in this complex. We are grateful to Joseph Anderson, MHA CEO, for working with us to serve our community in this way,” Qiana Clemens, Executive Director of Development, said.
“Our goal is to keep the Community in Community College. We are here to partner with community resources to be sure that accessibility to good quality Wi-Fi and other success tools are available,” Wayne Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services, said.
For more information about Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County, please visit ivytech.edu/Muncie.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
