UBIT overhauls Foster Hall’s technology offerings

By Michael Canfield
IT Communications Specialist

Originally opened in 1921, the building had not seen a major renovation since 1983. With construction now complete, the Graduate School of Education (GSE) has officially moved in, bringing new life to a historic space redesigned for hybrid learning, research, and next-generation collaboration. 

UBIT began working on Foster Hall in 2019, collaborating with the State University Construction Fund and the project’s design consultants to ensure the telecommunications infrastructure met today’s campus standards. UBIT completed the majority of its work during the summer and fall of 2025 and continues to support several ongoing projects in the building.

Students and faculty will see a noticeable difference in Foster Hall. The building’s technology upgrades include a fully modernized wireless network built to UBIT’s latest coverage standards, ensuring strong and reliable Wi-Fi throughout classrooms and learning spaces. Several classrooms also feature advanced audiovisual capabilities, including custom teaching environments equipped with a VALT system, an innovative tool that supports hands-on, practical learning. The system records teaching simulations, allowing instructors to closely review student performance, instructional methods, and skill development, and provide detailed, data-driven feedback.

The building’s lower-level research spaces include advanced room-capture capabilities, able to record and monitor multiple learning environments at once, supporting GSE’s growing research portfolio.

“The basement provides some of the most advanced and complete room capture that I’ve ever seen,” said Adam Pellittieri, an audio-visual systems engineer with UBIT. “This allows for the simultaneous observation and capture of dozens of students in various learning environments, which we hope will be a boon to the school’s research.”

Nearly all technology inside Foster Hall is new, from cabling to eduroam Wi-Fi to hardware. The project included:

• Four new telecommunication rooms built to UBIT standards
• Increased indoor (classroom) and outdoor wireless access points 
• Improved campus connectivity: Reengineered fiber connections now directly integrate the building with South Campus core network sites.
• Upgraded network equipment: Installed new high-capacity Cisco switches to support increased demand and improved performance.

These upgrades deliver faster speeds, improved reliability, and full-building wireless density designed for simultaneous device use, hybrid instruction, and research-grade connectivity.

The project was made possible through a collaboration between UBIT, GSE, and UB’s Design and Construction team.

“The knowledge, help, and work provided by UBIT staff with respect to the technological infrastructure planning and installation for Foster Hall was essential to our, thus far, successful move,” said Michael Tinsmon, director of IT for the GSE. “We literally could not have done it without them.” 

Added Cheryl Zimmerman, project manager with UB Design and Construction: “The UBIT network and communications team are valuable members of the Project Team on any Project I work on.  Every single member is a ‘knowledge expert’ who can be relied on at any step of the design and construction process.  They are always a pleasure to work with.”

UBIT continues to support several major renovation and construction efforts across campus. Current or upcoming projects include:

• Full building renovations for Clark Hall, Parker Hall, and Lockwood Library
• Construction kickoff for Agrusa Hall, the new engineering building
• Active construction in Baird Hall, O’Brian Hall, and multiple make-ready projects for department relocations

Smaller completed projects include telecommunications work in Kimball Hall, where GSE now occupies the second floor.