The departments of meteorology and communication arts are jointly working to enhance capabilities to provide a richer experience for students. Two Cat 6 cables were installed from the meteorology broadcast studio to the monitor outside of the dean’s office. Linkage of the studio and UIWTV cable headend will allow display of both audio and video from the control room to the lobby. The monitor will display weather readings from the roof top weather station in real-time and student weathercasts in both real-time and delayed-time modes.

Students prepare for a broadcast in UIW’s meteorology broadcast studio.

Students prepare for a broadcast in UIW’s meteorology broadcast studio.

This new capability will provide students a quality “on-air” experience crucial to the job market. It will also make possible rapid access to student information such as registration deadlines, final exam dates, and department program descriptions. Further, in an effort to make the advising process easier, professors can opt to have their profiles and office hours displayed and even record short videos introducing themselves. The department is also in the early stages of exploring the potential of interfacing with local cable TV providers to carry UIW events, sports, news and weather.

“The goal of each of these initiatives is to enhance the student experience and better prepare them for their role in the community as effective providers of critical authoritative information for the protection of human life and property,” said Dr. Gerald J. Mulvey, meteorology instructor. “This opens a new phase of opportunities for our students and UIW.”