UNR's Joe Crowley Student Union has used other video conferencing platforms before the pandemic such as goToMeeting, WebX, Skype, etc., but since the pandemic we have been using Zoom. For example, we had our Student Life Services Division's Professional Development Day this past July in two event spaces: our Ballroom and at an off campus space. Some participants joined the event by Zoom. JCSU's AV Tech provided AV equipment and support linking all locations and remote participants. We have provided video conferencing in big spaces before the pandemic, so we already had the necessary equipment: several laptops, Two video Switchers, digital sound mixer, microphone for each person, several video cameras, in space video projections, etc.
We have also been hosting medium sized meetings in a hybrid format. For example, we hosted meetings in the Ballroom A section with 8 Gooseneck microphones, video switcher, sound mixer. We incorporated a new web conference camera called the OWL-Cam: https://www.owllabs.com/meeting-owl
This product has a 360 degree camera and automatically splits the video screen into two and even three segments by tracking the location of each person speaking in different ends of a room. There is up to 30seconds of delay for this camera to split the screen--sometimes in less time. The built in microphone in the OWL-Cam is not designed for medium and bigger rooms, so we add microphones that work best for the type of room. For example, boundary mics in medium sized meeting rooms, and Goosenecks in Ballrooms.
In the past for ADA compliance, we incorporated open-captions by a local vendor in the event space by burning it on the video, which we also streamed to our Livestream page and on our Youtube channel as well. Within Zoom, we are looking into providing closed-captions as well.
Our pricing has been the same, since currently we charge only for staff hours for setup and operation of AV equipment.
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James Cho
Coordinator of Technology Services
University of Nevada Reno
Reno NV
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2020 11:26
From: Debra Gorov
Subject: Virtual/Hybrid Platforms & Softward
UNLV Student Union & Event Services is curious how other campuses/unions are managing virtual and hybrid events during this unique time. There are few areas we are especially interested in listed below - and feel free to add on any lessons learned, best practices, links, etc. Thank you!
Platforms/Software
1) What platforms/software are you using to support these types of events? For example: Zoom, Webex, others.
2a) Did your campus use these programs pre-covid? If yes, did the campus subscription work to meet most client event needs or did you need to expand the subscription?
2b) If you had to expand, who covered that cost? ex: you department, the university
3) Do student organizations have the ability to use the platform/software too?
Technology Updates
4a) Do you need to or did you need to update your event AV/tech equipment to support virtual and hybrid events? ex: additional/new computers, cameras, etc.
4b) If you did update (or plan to), has the University provided any funds to help support this or was the funding the departments responsibility?
Pricing
5) What does your pricing structure look like for supporting virtual/hybrid events? ex: free, discounted for student groups, full price for all, based on event parameters/needs, etc.
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Debra Gorov
Conference and Event Coordinator
Student Union & Event Services
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas NV
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