Video Activities

ORGANIZATION AND COLLABORATION

The Video Advisory Committee was formed in 1997 by the Vice-Provost. Some of the original members are no longer employed by the University of Florida or no longer participate, and some currently active participants in VAC activities (including the preparation of this report) have not been officially appointed to the committee.

Beyond maintenance of the existing services, no official mission for Campus Video Service existed. Although there are many differing ideas of what the responsibilities of Campus Video Service are, it is not well defined. To facilitate the coordination of various units' efforts to provide virtual unified services and information, that function should be formally defined and supported.

The Health Science Center is currently offering a series of classes that meet simultaneously at three H.320 sites and one H.323 site. The link between the UF and USF (H.323) campuses is accomplished via Internet II. The operation has been less than satisfactory so far. While the H.320 sites connect without difficulty, the H.323 site continues to "lock up" on a regular basis in intervals of 20 to 30 seconds. It clears itself but proves quite disruptive to faculty and students.

The MCU at the Health Science Center has significant capacity and usefulness for H.320 applications. Another campus unit could combine their H.323 MCU with the Health Science Center to establish a virtual MCU service with the capabilities of both. This would require close collaboration and cross training between the units.

Many services on campus are dependent on one key individual to operate important components of each service. If these staff members with similar responsibilities had frequent interaction, they would be able to share support and training.

 

Recommendations Formalize a permanent Video Advisory Committee that establishes recommendations that are incorporated into the development of the University of Florida Strategic Plan. Insure close coordination with Network Services. Develop an official Campus Video Service mission statement and provide mission-oriented job descriptions for the staff. Support efforts to facilitate collaboration and cross training between video related staff among multiple units.