Founded in 1849, Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon is one of the West's first chartered higher education institutions. This forward-thinking university is one of the finest small liberal arts and health professions universities in the country.

The Challenge
True to its forward-thinking nature, the University wanted to move communication with all of its constituents beyond email and conference calls by implementing a campus-wide video conferencing solution. A communication initiative endorsed by the University President was issued to provide video conferencing capabilities to and from every building on campus in a cost-effective manner.
Lee M. Colaw, vice president of University Information Services, embarked on a search to find such a solution. "It had to be affordable, portable and simple to use so that not only would it serve as a way for administrators, faculty and staff to communicate, but also be readily available to current and prospective students," said Colaw.

Finding the Solution
After reviewing several competitive options Colaw selected Creative's inPerson for its high-quality video, its capability to host one-on-one and small group meetings, its low cost for purchase and operations and its portability. An initial order of 16 inPerson units was distributed to the University President, Vice Presidents of University resident, Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs/Provost, Finance and Administration, Student Affairs, University Relations, Information Services, Executive Dean of the College of Health Professions and Dean of Education, Admissions, Marketing and Communications and all remote campuses and libraries.

Immediately after implementing inPerson the university noticed an increase in meeting effectiveness, a direct result of participants being able to interact face-to-face. inPerson continues to reduce travel for the University's executive team, saving valuable time and money, resulting in higher productivity.

The University will begin to travel with the inPerson units and use them to attend meetings remotely and connect remote students to the appropriate agencies on campus for a more personal one-on-one experience beginning this summer. "inPerson Conferencing is one more tool in the technology toolbox," said Colaw. "The impact of portable video conferencing on our mobile users' communication with the University has been dramatic, and used effectively inPerson will enhance the communications in any work area."

In line with the University's interactive teaching approach, additional inPerson units are available in the various campus libraries so students are able to begin collaborating on projects and forming study groups with the same high-level impact as if they were all in the same room.

The Future of Video Conferencing at Pacific University
As the campus-wide video conferencing initiative continues to roll out, Pacific University will expand the use of inPerson units as the World Language and Literature Department plans to implement it for communications in two undergraduate courses during the 2008-2009 academic year to two countries halfway around the world. Units will be available for check-out from the library and the computer help desk for students and faculty to borrow for use with recruiting, alumni relations and other school-related activities.

"Our goal is to make video conferencing available to everyone on our campus from our administrators, faculty and staff to current and prospective students," said Colaw. "With Creative's high-quality, cost-effective inPerson device we are able to provide the sort of interactive learning environment we strive for at Pacific University."