Telepresence room enables limitless possibilities at MU

The room will allow students to communicate with employers around the world.

By Laura Swan

Published Nov. 10, 2008

A $2 million project will create one technologically charged room on each of the four UM system campuses that can only physically hold 18 people, but can connect to millions.

UM system President Gary Forsee and his wife Sherry Forsee are donating $1 million for the installation of high-definition Cisco TelePresence Systems at system campuses. Cisco and AT&T are providing $1 million worth of equipment, design, installation and maintenance.

GaruForsee said this project is important because of the opportunities it presents.

"It can allow our four campuses to work more closely and have more collaboration among researchers," he said.

By bridging the gap between the four campuses, this equipment will save traveling expenses as well as reduce the environmental effects of constantly traveling from campus to campus. The TelePresence rooms will be used to communicate with other schools, too.

"The system will be used to increase collaboration among our researchers and others at some of the top research universities who are also getting this technology," said Cindy Pollard, UM system vice president of Strategic Communications.

Other schools utilizing the TelePresence systems include Cornell University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.

"The first priority is to get them up and running for research collaboration and staff meetings," Pollard said. "This system can link with other videoconferencing systems, which would allow us eventually to expand our distance learning system, further down the road."

Forsee said he sees this new system as a way to enhance learning and better the schools' images.

"Technology continues to provide different ways for students to learn and teachers to teach," Gary Forsee said.

When considering which videoconferencing equipment to install, Cisco had many advantages: The system is compatible with similar hi-definition systems, but also with less advanced videoconferencing equipment. This expands the potential network of communication exponentially.

"President Forsee is familiar with this technology and it is the latest," Pollard said.

Gary Forsee, a former CEO of Sprint Nextel, had been working with the company when they installed the first few TelePresence systems in Washington and Kansas City.

The TelePresence rooms are scheduled for installation in Columbia before the end of this calendar year, with the rest following in the spring. Authorities are still finalizing plans for installation and location. Gary Forsee said the MU location has been decided upon and will be announced soon.

Students and faculty may be able to utilize this equipment immediately. Gary Forsee said the rooms would work just like any other conference room and woudl need to be scheduled and reserved.

"Its uses are limitless, so a lot of people are making plans on how best to use them," Pollard said.

Another possibility is that students could use the equipment to hold interviews with potential employers around the world.

"What's neat about the system is that it's hi-def, so it gives you the impression that you're having a face-to-face meeting in person," Pollard said. "It's the next best thing to being there."