Grand Valley State University’s Department of Housing and Resident Life will install Roku boxes across campus, although the installation date is currently unknown. Roku boxes will only be installed in common spaces, and if a student would like a box for their own room, they would have to purchase one themselves. The installation of Roku boxes is part of the University’s SpectrumU plan, which was implemented during the Fall 2024 semester, and seeks to leave behind traditional, cable television.
A Roku box is a streaming device that connects to a television, and can access YouTube videos, shows and movies through the internet. Implementing Roku boxes on campus signifies a technological move forward at GVSU, as the University is leaving behind a form of television that many consider to be falling obsolete.
According to Adam Tate, the facilities manager for Housing and Residence Life, Roku boxes will be installed for two main reasons.
“We have conducted multiple surveys in the past few years to gain a better understanding of what our students expect from University-provided cable(and) live TV,” Tate said. “This decision was made to offer residents additional ways to stream live TV, as we have learned that fewer residents are bringing TVs each year.”
Tate highlighted that Roku boxes will also allow students easier access to channels provided by the platform Spectrum U.
The University’s Information Technology website states that Roku boxes do not ”support all of the Wi-Fi frequencies (channels) used by the campus wireless network. The device may be able to connect to nearby APs configured on supported channels, but signal levels may be low or unreliable.”
Despite the website’s disclaimer, Tate said he has never heard of any students having trouble with their own personal Roku boxes.
“We are not aware of residents experiencing any widespread issues with connecting to Spectrum U with Roku devices, either in common areas or from residents in their rooms,” Tate said.
Sophomore Emily Schroeder noted that she does not use Spectrum U. Schroeder, who is planning to reside off campus next year, said that if Roku boxes were added sooner, her dorm experience would have changed.
“I use it (the common space television) every month or so I would say,” Schroeder said. “I use the TV, but only to connect my switch and play with friends.”
GVSU student Aislinn Vandommelen has a slightly different opinion of living centers’ common spaces.
“This year, I rarely use any common spaces, and I never used the community TVs,” Vandommelen said. “Although it (the TV) probably wouldn’t be too hard to use, it was always more convenient to simply use a laptop or a friend’s tv.”
Vandommelen is also not a user of the University’s SpectrumU program. They feel SpectrumU’s services were not well promoted, as they didn’t even know it was in existence. However, Vandommelen said they understand how Roku boxes could be a beneficial feature for other students.
“I could see how others find it nice, although I question the necessity of it, to be honest,” Vandommelen said.
Students can look forward to the new offering, however, it remains to be seen if Roku’s service will be as comparable and easily accessible as the University hopes.
