Keynote Address – Dr. Connie Book

The rapid growth of Digital, High Definition and IP technology brings new implications and increased expectations for campus services. In delivering the Keynote Address for 2005, Dr. Connie Book, recent author of Digital Television: DTV and the Consumer, will share her research while discussing the state of transition occurring within the cable industry and ultimately what we can expect to face as campus television administrators. Dr. Book is an accomplished professor and researcher in the field of telecommunications at Elon University and her text is the first to be dedicated to understanding how our nation’s transition to digital television impacts the general consumer. AHECTA is pleased and honored to have Dr. Book address our group and offer guidance on how we may best position ourselves to keep pace with the overall industry.

Technology Track

Campus Television Road Map: From AHECTA 2004 to 2005 Installation

After taking away resources and research done at AHECTA's 2004 conference, Boston University implemented their new campus cable system in 2005. By creating a roadmap and laying down the foundation for the work ahead, Boston University was able to partner with Falls Earth Station to create their system, which today serves approximately 11,000 students in 120 high rise and brownstone style residences in the heart of uptown Boston. The project was deemed a success by clients and administration. This presentation will highlight the elements that contributed to that success while looking ahead at plans for the future. The session will be particularly useful to new members or those who may be confronted with RFP development, contract negotiations, and customer service issues. 

Presenter:
Jim Shea, Boston University

Programming/Operations Track

Increasing Student Participation: Using a Living & Learning Community

Seeking to develop a new program combining technology and student development within a learning context?  This session will outline a new Living and Learning Community at Rutgers University implemented by the RU-tv Network in 2004. Forty-two students on one floor section are able to use their experience in video production and their desire to communicate to support campus information goals, all while learning new life skills and technical acumen. This program will be of interest to housing officials, technology staff, academic and administrative leaders, faculty, video production specialists, student services staff, and computing specialists.

Presenter:
Christopher Waters, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Matthew Weismantel, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Technology Track

Beyond Analog: System Comparisons

Analog systems have been the mainstay for many campus cable systems. However, new infrastructures are offering substantial improvement to these legacy systems. In this session a comparison between the architecture of traditional analog cable systems, IPTV and DTV systems will be made. The pros and cons of implementing systems will be discussed in conjunction with cost implications.

Presenter:
Ron Johnson, Adtec Digital

Programming/Operations Track

Growing Needs and Growing Importance: Managing and Maturing Student Workforces

We have reached a critical moment in the history of student production, as student television stations mature and incoming student knowledge of pro-sumer video technology increases. This session will examine effective models for student production and professionally supervised student production. While some networks run with just a handful of students in an operations capacity, others operate full programming, production, and engineering departments with a staff of 50+ students. The feasibility of managing a growing student workforce becomes increasingly difficult. Likewise, shrinking budgets, growing campus demand for productions and calls for student content require more focus on student involvement. Thus, investing in student development can have lasting value for institutions. Listen in as presenters discuss management techniques including leadership, empowerment, training and evaluation methods.

Presenters:
Amy Grill, Emerson College
Jason Jankowski, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Technology Track

Cable Headends: Management and Maintenance

Critical to any successful cable operation is proper headend preservation. Allow a panel of practiced tech authorities to step through common troubleshooting tips and explore creative ways to dealing with the not so common “challenges” of maintaining a headend. A great brainstorming session if you have questions on signal management, fiber equipment, processors, modulator maintenance and more. Come ready with questions and be prepared to receive some insightful advice from our panel and session participants.

Panelists:
Bob Drewes, Stanford University
Steve Fox, Fox Electronics
Bill Naivar, Georgia Tech
Bruce Taylor, Carnegie Mellon
George Veeder, University of Georgia

Programming/Operations Track

Student Programming Spotlight

Join us for an exciting spotlight on student programs. After sharing a sample of student produced interstitials from Rutgers University, Brent Smith will host our first open call of student productions. Members will show samples of student shows and briefly describe how the programs came to fruition on their campuses. This is your chance to share and to see exciting programs from across the country.

Moderator:
Brent Smith, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Technology Track

“Whistle While We Work:”
Converting to Digital Production on a Dime

With broadcasting technology transitioning from analog to digital across the industry,  how do universities and colleges make this digital conversion on a limited budget?  Faculty, administration, staff and students all get involved in getting the work completed. Join Linda Lashendock of Elon University as she shares how Elon undertook the conversion to digital, and how the university incorporated faculty, administration, students, and staff into the process. This session is sure to be enlightening as digital conversion at the university level is crucial as the professional world of broadcasting continues to evolve. 

Presenter:
Linda Lashendock, Elon University

Programming/Operations Track

Measuring Campus Audiences

Representatives from Nielsen Media Research will be on-hand to discuss their Extended Home Test program and how it pertains to students and cable services on-campus. An overview of the methodology and equipment used to conduct this research will be provided in addition to a look at the benefits, challenges and results Nielsen has encountered with their research of these audiences. Nielsen representatives will give insight on the future of audience measurement as new technologies and viewing options look to reshape the cable industry.

Presenters:
Pat Colpoys, Nielsen Media Research
Rika Freeman, Nielsen Media Research
Jay Hafer, Nielsen Media Research

The Value of IP Convergence

Knowing that IP technology is increasingly a viable option for content distribution, how can we as cable providers harness the technology to make effective use of its capabilities? This general session will explore three case studies where IP technology is expanding programming opportunities. Be in attendance as corporate and institutional members discuss how IP technology is being used to distribute triple play services through a residence hall network, how it is enhancing abilities to share local productions across multiple institutions and how an institution can effectively convert their video to build a unified network. Members will have the opportunity to hear lessons learned in each of the initiatives, as well as the successes and obstacles encountered along the way.

Moderator:
George Veeder, University of Georgia

Presenters:  
Rich Griffin, Open Student Teleivision Network (OSTN)
Steve Mantle, Allied Telesyn
Arthur Mimnaugh, San Jose State University
S. Brad Noblet, Dartmouth College
Shane Walker, Open Student Teleivision Network (OSTN)
Randy Winchester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Technology Track

Partnerships in Digital Content Distribution

This session will examine how IT solutions offer new potential for partnerships in academic broadcasting, including horizontal cooperation (between like-minded institutions) and vertical integration (between the faculty, administration, and technical departments of a single institution). It will provide an overview of the impact of information technology on cable broadcast and how standard IT equipment, networks, and protocols simplify operations and lower costs for broadcasters. Learn how to leverage accessible digital broadcast technology to add value to academic programming.

Presenters:
Jesse Lerman, Princeton Server Group
Donna Liu, Princeton University

Programming/Operations Track

Copyright:  Practical Protection

New technologies and new student involvement present new challenges to protecting the way video is distributed and used. The session will look at various ways to safeguard your department. A discussion of Digital Rights Management (DRM) will focus on encrypting and protecting content being distributed via the web. In addition to briefing us on the latest rules and procedures on music licensing, ASCAP will offer pragmatic resources to aid video producers and explore what to do if a student is using music selections not covered under a blanket license. Finally, you will be able to learn some effective ways to communicate and programmatically address copyright issues with students on-campus in order to gauge and improve upon their awareness. Not 100% clear of all the guidelines? Then, this is a session you will want to attend.

Presenters:
Allen Alexander, ASCAP
Matt Arthur, Washington University, St. Louis
Ross Davis, Seattle Community College

HD, Digital, and the Future

For our annual look at technological innovation, this general session will focus on high definition television and its ramifications. The session will be divided into three parts: 1) The Basics: Demystifying terms and technology, 2) HD Programming: What is available in HD today and where it is going, and 3) HD Production: Take a look at samples of HD technology including camera equipment and streaming and see what is happening on campuses today. This session is a must for programmers, engineers, technicians, and those with an interest in tracking where television technology is headed.

Presenters:
Scott Bruckel, Campus Televideo
Cliff Fox, Blonder Tongue
Michael Wellings, The ResearchChannel/University of Washington