Parking Lot Access to Free Wi-Fi for K-12 and Higher Ed Students Available for Coursework Completion
Article by: Melinda Eddleman
While COVID-19 has altered and made more difficult the way people now live and work with stay-at-home orders, trying to complete online schoolwork is even harder when students have little or no access to Wi-Fi and the internet. Del Mar College (DMC) is providing a solution not only to its own students but also to all students in the Coastal Bend area attending K-12 schools and higher education institutions––free internet access in designated parking lots with high-density Wi-Fi hotspots.
The service is a way to give back to the communities the College serves.K-16 students can access VikingNet seven-days-a-week between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. in designated parking lots that have high density access points at four DMC locations (maps provided), including:
- East Campus Venters Business Building - parking lot adjacent to Ayers Street,
- West Campus Health Sciences Buildings 1 & 2 - parking lot adjacent to Airport Road,
- Center for Economic Development (3209 S. Staples) - parking lot adjacent to Staples,
- Northwest Center in Calallen (13725 Northwest Blvd.) - parking lot behind the building.
To log into VikingNet, current DMC students will use their College assigned username and password, which they use for WebDMC and their student email. They will be directed to a splash page where they will enter their credentials.Non-DMC students (all grades) will gain access through a “guest account.” Users will select VikingNet as the hotspot and then fill out a guest access account request. This process is self-service and in real-time.Students who have questions or need technical assistance with accessing VikingNet can contact the Information Technology Department Help Desk Monday through Friday only between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Email Vikinghelpdesk@delmar.edu or call 698-2330.Some rules to follow:
- Free Wi-Fi service is for educational purposes only and is not for video streaming and Netflix or other entertainment service use. See the College’s acceptable use policy: www.delmar.edu/current-students/student-right-to-know/computer-and-network-use.html
- Students must remain in their vehicles and practice social distancing at all times.
- DMC facilities are closed. Restrooms are not available.
Individuals can also view online information about this service by visiting: delmar.edu/offices/cro/cv/public-wifi.html
A downloadable flyer with parking lot locations is also available in the upper right-hand corner.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.