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Governor Janklow’s Wiring Project Wraps Up at DSU

Madison – The inmate workers will be leaving the Dakota State University campus this week after completing the DSU part of the Wiring the Schools Project.  The seven-month long project, designed by Governor Janklow, is part of the effort to wire the entire state of South Dakota for technology. 

“DSU was fortunate to already have a technology-driven campus, and the wiring project enabled us to update cables and wires that are necessary to keep up with the ever-changing technology world,” said Dr. Jerald Tunheim, President of Dakota State. 

According to Pat Keating, Physical Plant director, the inmates worked in every campus building except Girton house, which houses the President.  When asked about the wiring project, one of the inmates mentioned “that about the only thing we haven’t wired on this campus is the bathrooms.” 

A minimum of two computer drops for every residence hall room and building offices were installed, as well as repulling the residence halls with cable television wire and upgrading electrical outlets.  All classrooms now have two computer drops and one video drop.  All computer labs were rewired and updated with category 5 enhanced cable.  

The Wiring the Schools project was very cost-effective for the University.  DSU paid for 40% of the materials and food & lodging for the women.  The inmate workers were housed at the Red Cross building. 

The Wiring the Schools project begins at Lake Central Schools next week. 

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