While Longwood University students normally use fliers, emails, Facebook and word of mouth to invite classmates and faculty to activities around campus, students will soon have a new way to spread the word. Orca TV, which will serve as an outlet for student-created content and as an emergency alert system,will stream on televisions throughout campus starting in January 2012.
Orca TV is essentially a program which displays information students submit about various events, activities and organizations. The content is aired on one part of the screen while another program plays in the top right corner with a local business advertisement placed underneath it.
Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson said Orca TV was initially brought to the administration's attention because it could serve as an addition to the emergency alert system. "If there is an emergency or crisis, there will be an opportunity to put that directly on the air," he said.
Pierson said several people involved with Longwood's emergency alert system, including Longwood University Police Department Chief of Police Bob Beach, were in contact with Orca TV's CEO Rajiv Shenoy and decided to inform the administration about Orca TV. "We had a meeting a couple of months ago, looking at what the potential was for the campus not only in terms of safety issues, but … trying to help students in organizations market their activities and their events," said Pierson.
Pierson emphasized the potential Orca TV gives students to present information in an organized, effective way. "We saw it as a really good way to get students involved and engaged and not only promote an event, but how to take that from start to finish," he added.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Shenoy presented his company's product to the Student Government Association (SGA). Pierson said it was important to notify SGA of the decision to bring Orca TV to campus because "SGA represents cross sections of students," and the product is for student use.
SGA President Brandon Fry said, "I think [Orca TV] will do great things for students." He said it is important for students to help "figure out how we think we should utilize it" in terms of advertisements and other forms of expression. "It will be a very good thing for the university to invest in," he said.
There is no cost for students who use Orca TV's services. The university will pay for Orca TV out of the excess student fees fall 2011's unexpected increased enrollment produced. Pierson said the fees will "help get this up and running" and money earned from local vendors that advertise on Orca TV will most likely "get this unit to where it is self-supporting." Both Orca TV and Longwood would receive a portion of the money from commercial organizations.
Orca TV is set to play on 19 screens throughout campus on televisions that Longwood currently owns, primarily in the academic buildings and on the upper level of Lankford Student Union. These are high traffic areas for students and will notify students of emergencies and events immediately.
According to Fry, Orca TV may play in the Lancer Café in the student union in the future. He also said the university's contract with MTVU may be dropped in the future so Orca TV could stream in Dorrill Dining Hall (D-Hall) instead.
While Orca TV will play in many buildings on campus, students will also be able to access it in their respective rooms. Two separate channels of information will play on channels 21 and 22.
Pierson said the administration ultimately wants Orca TV to benefit students. "I'm hopeful … that it will be another vehicle for student expression," he said. "I hope it will also add to attendance at our events and more students are more aware and more conscious about the things that are going on."