In a recent ranking compiled by PC Magazine and The Princeton Review, OU came in at No. 10 among “America’s Top Wired Colleges.”

OU was one of only two Big 12 schools ranked in the top 20. Kansas State University was ahead of OU by eight spots at No. 2.

“The breadth and depth of our services makes OU stand out as one of the 10 most wired colleges,” said Dennis Aebersold, CIO and Vice President for Information Technology according to a news release.

“America’s Top Wired Colleges” is formulated by surveying 368 colleges nationwide, discussing the campus’ technology and connectivity capabilities. The survey consisted of 18 questions and was separated into four categories: academics, student resources, tech support and infrastructure. Each question was given a point value and weighting and each of the overall categories also was given a weighting.

OU provides numerous services and locations for students to meet their technological needs. According to OU’s IT Web site, there are seven computer labs, laptop rental services, 24 hour a day personal support, the Center for Informatics, the OU Supercomputing Center for Education and wireless coverage for nearly 90 percent of academic buildings, most dorms and common areas.

“We can pretty much do anything online,” University College freshman Dana Walker said. “You can even order food online.”

Students in the Couch Center computer lab said they enjoy how the availability of technology makes their school work easier.

“[Desire2Learn] really comes in handy,” University College freshman David Shea said. “I turn in a lot of stuff for my English class online. Just about all of my classes use Learn. It’s really different compared to my high school.”

PC Magazine previously released rankings in 2006. OU ranked number 10 in those findings as well, which is not an easy feat, OU IT Creative Ambassador Nicholas Key said.

“Technology is very fluid and it changes quickly,” he said. “You can see that because a lot of colleges that were ranked in ’06 dropped in the rankings.”

While OU remained steady, the 2006 second place ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology barely made the top 20, and former first place winner Villanova University came in at number 15, according to the article.

“Our mission is to meet the ever-evolving needs of our students, faculty and staff,” Aebersold said in news release.

Key said it takes constant growth to meet those needs. He said he thinks constant growth could lead OU to another spot in PC Magazine’s rankings again.

Some of the latest growth on campus include an expanded wireless network, a renovated lab in the Oklahoma Memorial Union and plans to renovate the other six computer labs on campus.

“We have worked very hard to install our wireless network at a minimal cost to students,” Aebersold said. “With the explosion of wireless devices, this becomes an important tool for recruiting and retaining the best students,”

The wireless expansion has given students Internet access in the Walker-Adams Mall, in both the North and South Ovals, and in the common areas east of the Bizzell Memorial Library.

Though the ranking does show that OU is keeping up with the latest technology and offering some of the best technology services available, Key says the ranking isn’t all that important.

“Honestly if we don’t move up in rankings that’s fine with us. As long as we continue to meet our students’ and faculty’s needs. That’s really our focus,” Key said.