Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is an emerging technology in telecommunications that allows people to see and hear each other from remote locations. To enhance the curriculum, Emerson College provides a mobile videoconferencing unit, which is available by reservation and deployable to nearly any classroom or conference room in the Walker Building (120 Boylston St.).

A videoconference is a lot like a telephone call. It differs in that you can not only hear the far party, but see the far party as well. When compared to flying and accommodating guest speakers, videoconferencing may be an attractive option.

IP Conferencing

IP, or Internet Protocol, conferencing is done over the College's Ethernet network. Because of this, an IP call can be placed and received from nearly any class or conference room in the Walker Building.

In order to place an IP call, you will need the IP address of the party you are trying to reach. To ensure the quality of your conference, Information Technology will allocate network resources specifically to your call, and away from the College at large. A fee may be incurred for this service during peak seasons.

In order to conduct a videoconference, there are a few details that you'll want to straighten out:

• Location: Reserve a classroom or conference room for the event. Make a note of room number and include that in the information you give IT when you reserve the videoconferencing unit.
• Far Site Information: Find out what kind of calls the equipment at the far site is capable of placing and/or receiving. Decide if you or they will be placing the call and find a contact that deals with the technical aspects of the far site.
• Equipment Reservation: Place a request to reserve the video conferencing unit. We will need to know
  • The date and time of the conference
  • The location (room number) of the conference
  • The technical contact for the far site (this allows us to place a test call)
  • Who will initiate the call (near end or far end).
• Budget Authorization: Before any call that incurs a fee can be made, we must first have written authorization from your department head.

If you have questions about the videoconferencing process here at Emerson, please contact Application Support Specialist, Earnest Mazique, at earnest_mazique@emerson.edu or 617.824x8485.