Monday, May 22, 2000
Subscribing to the theory
The next new thing
University Council approves creation of New Media Institute
Larry Weatherford, vice president for government relations, to retire
Utility construction forces closing of streets, parking lots
Kudos
Members of promotion, tenure review committee are announced
Remembering those we’ve lost

Campus Closeup
Ric Edwards
Classroom Technology Specialist
Office of Instructional Support and Development

TIME IN CURRENT POSITION: “One and a half months. This past fall I served as an instructor in telecommunications in a studio television production class.”

JOB DESCRIPTION: “I am a support person for the many technology-enhanced rooms on campus. ISD is responsible for more than 250 rooms on campus that have some type of technology. We break them down into Levels 1, 2 and 3 with regards to the amount of technology in each room. Level 1 may have a whiteboard or chalkboard and an overhead projector and screen, just your basic teaching tools. Level 2 may have all that plus a network drop for Internet access, maybe a monitor and a VCR, and cable connectivity. Level 3 would have all of the above plus a few more bells and whistles, such as LCD projectors, wireless microphones, and some rooms have video touch screens which allow the user to dim the lights and control the shades by remote control.
“I help with installation, maintain and support the equipment and train the users.”

MOST REWARDING PART OF MY JOB: “Being able to solve problems. Usually when I get a trouble call, the person on the other end of the phone is really stressed out. He or she may have a classroom full of students looking on. While the instructor may be a genius, if he can’t get the VCR to play, to the class he may look like an idiot.
“I like those calls, because nine times out of 10 I can fix the problem, often over the phone.
“As a former instructor I can understand their attitude; it’s very stressful if you’re in front of a group of people and there’s a technical problem. I just try to defuse the situation. The best way for me to do that is to fix the problem as soon as possible and duck out the back door, and everybody’s happy.”

OFF-THE-JOB INTERESTS: “I really enjoy the Athens music scene. I like going to the 40 Watt, Athens Music Factory, places like that. I like the fact that Athens is a college town. I used to live in Ft. Myers where the average age is about 60, and it’s just real depressing. You would go into a restaurant with 50 people, and 48 of them would be grandparents.
“I’m a new homeowner, so I enjoy tending to things in our yard. My wife and I have four cats--which is too many, but we enjoy them.”

THE PERSON I MOST ADMIRE: “My wife, Heidi. She’s a full-time doctoral candidate in public relations, and she really enjoys being in school with the students and faculty.
“When I was in school, I was always stressing the next deadline, the next paper, the next class. Plus I admire her because of the fact she puts up with me.”

FAVORITE MOVIE: “All the President’s Men. It’s a great story and a true story as an examination of what good journalists do. It’s also a genuine thriller with brilliant performances by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.”

AN ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME MOST ABOUT TODAY’S SOCIETY: “I wonder if we, as a society, are doing a good job spending our tax dollars.
“The HOPE scholarship is a wonderful thing, but what kind of students are we getting for this money? Are we getting a better student? The issue is personal responsibility. It seems that by the time students get to college, it’s too late to sit them down and ask them about ethics; their moral compasses have already been set. The grade point averages may be higher, but does that mean they are better people? I think we are still struggling with that.”
--Ryan Crowe
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