During the Nov. 15 meeting of the Student Government Association, a presentation on Orca TV was given. With Orca TV, a variety of footage can be shown. For example, student content can play in one screen, a news channel can play in a different screen and ads can scroll in a third screen.
Orca TV wants to keep Orca TV open for students to submit content. All the content would ideally be coming from students. You can make advertisement in a variety of formats including flash, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe After Effects, PDF and more. There is a web portal similar to the YouTube portal to submit content. There are a number of safeguards in place and a vetting process to ensure nothing inappropriate makes it to the screen. When content is submitted, three emails go out. One email is sent to the submitter, one is sent to the Orca contact and the other is to the Longwood contact. All three individuals work together to figure out what is appropriate. Vulgarity and violence, for example, would not be permitted.
There are some limitations to the length of the advertisment. Static ads run at 15 seconds and video ads run at 30 seconds. The student content is on an approximetly 12 minute loop; however, depending on content, that loop can be a couple minutes longer. Orca can also sell ad time to places like Living Social. Orca TV will be implemented in the spring semester.
Several questions were raised in regards to the implementation of the TVs on campus. The SGA is not sure if MTVU owns the TVs in Dorrill Dining Hall (D-Hall), but if they don't own the TVs, there is talk of ending the MTVU contract and installing Orca TV in D-Hall. They are also looking to get Orca TV on channels 21 and 22 on the campus TV system. There are currently 19 TVs on campus in academic buildings. The TVs in academic buildings will not have sound. If Orca gets onto other TVs around campus, sound will be used. One senator suggested that Orca TV could replace the free speech wall.
Director of Conference and Scheduling Darlene Bratcher came to speak about a drive that is being hosted for Madeline's House. The shelter was built at Fort Picket, but the organization is having trouble sustaining themselves. Many women go into hiding and cannot go back to get stuff from their homes. Last year, when the drive was hosted, they collected over 238 bras and over 600 T-shirts.
The effort is in full swing again. Today (Wednesday, Nov. 16) in the Lankford Student Union Ballroom from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., they will be collecting clothing items. They need bras the most; however, sweaters, T-shirts and coats are also being accepted. If an individual wants to donate but cannot make it to the ballroom on Wednesday, donations can also be dropped off at the Hardy House.
Several questions and concerns were brought forward during the open forum segment of the of meeting. One senator asked if students have an opportunity to evaluate their program of study.
Another student brought up a concern that the library turns down lights and locks the doors without checking to see if students are still there.
A senator expressed that students would like to see Java City open again. Although that particular location will likely not be eligible to be open overnight, other locations are being looked into as an alternative. A senator was wondering if Lancer CA$H could be used to rent equipment from the gym.
A senator brought up a concern that a student was trying to get into Bedford to work on a project but the Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) wouldn't let the student in. SGA President Brandon Fry suggested that in the future students should have their professor let LUPD know ahead of time to make it easier. A senator also expressed concerns about a problem with Farmville residents tailgating into dorms. If any students are uncomfortable, they should talk to the desk aide or call LUPD.
$2,582 was allocated to Longwood Ambassadors for a conference. The last meeting of the SGA will be on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 3:45 p.m. in the BC rooms of the Student Union.
