The campus-wide telephone system upgrade to Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is coming to Scott Hall this summer.

Your old beige phone will be replaced with a new handset with HD audio, caller ID and more (those with a cordless phone should call Joe Groesbeck at 313-577-7919).

VoIP phones can make free long-distance calls to any number in the United States.

You can manage phone and voicemail settings in the online VoIP portal.

Five-digit dialing returns. After the upgrade to Scott Hall is complete, all Wayne State telephone users will again be able to dial the five-digit extension for campus calls.

VoIP requires upgrades to the electric wiring and network electronics throughout the building. Wayne State University Computing & Information Technology staff and contractors from AT&T, SSI, and Shaw and Bayview Electric will be in Scott Hall public areas, offices and labs in the coming months. The project is scheduled to be complete about July. An exact date will be shared when available. While work on this project is ongoing:

We will always try to inform you via email and/or posted notices when workers are expected to be in your area.

As a precaution, secure any confidential information, even if it is in a locked office.

If your lab or office has sensitive experiments or procedures that cannot be disturbed, please post a warning on the doors.

Some data network connections may be temporarily disrupted.

To date, work is scheduled in the following areas:

Basement and first floor: rewiring data and phone jacks, some drilling and light construction now through May 29

Second through ninth floors: new data jacks, light construction now through April 30

Third floor: electrical upgrades in phone closets, light construction now through May 2

Please note that work areas will be cleared and no work will be scheduled during the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation visit from April 24-26.

There is nothing you need to do with your phone to prepare for VoIP. Instructions will be sent as necessary throughout the VoIP upgrade process. Questions? Visit the VoIP website at computing.wayne.edu/voip or call Joe Groesbeck from C&IT at 313-577-7919.