With the increasing number of obligations and responsibilities facing college students, it is often difficult to keep track of the many events happening in the world, let alone those on campus.
Understanding a need for a new way of campus communication, members of Saint Mary's Student Government and the Information Technology Resource Center have combined forces to launch SMC-TV - a closed-circuit campus cable channel for educational and communicative use on campus.
Over 18 months in the making, SMC-TV will provide students, faculty and staff with a means for circulating information like campus news, upcoming events and national/ world headlines.
On Monday night, Director of Information Technology Keith Fowlkes gave a presentation on what can be expected from this new project.
"The campus needs a new and fresh information source for students and faculty," Fowlkes said.
In addition to campus news, Fowlkes said SMC-TV will also have to ability to broadcast other programs from talk shows to special interest programs.
"As long as the proposed programming follows our slogan of 'creative, intelligent, and engaging', as well as the professional standards set by the advising committee, the sky's the limit," Fowlkes said.
"We believe SMC-TV will serve as a great innovative way for students to express themselves, as well as learn the skills needed to create and produce on-air performances."
One key point that was emphasized at Monday's presentation was the great need for student involvement. It is planned that within two years, SMC-TV will be completely student-run and operated, from pitching ideas all the ] to the time the program is aired.
Currently, SMC-TV is being funded through the Husking Foundation Grant received by the college several years ago. This summer, advisors hope to purchase new cameras and other equipment to begin training students in the fall.
Once student management positions and independent production teams are filled, the faculty members and advisors involved hope to begin on-air programming beginning January or February 2006.
