Samuel Garinger
The Communicator
SFCC has spent thousands of dollars on technology for students, but some of that technology the students don’t even know about.
For instance, students can rent laptop computers, use a green screen and even have access to a soundproof recording studio; all for free.
In the campus library, the school offers a laptop rental program. “Basically (what) it offers is, your tech fees which (students) pay, provide laptops that (students) can check out for 24 hours. We have (the options of) Dell and Mac computers,” Babs Hachey, the campus Head Librarian said.
“If things are getting really full in the lab area, (in the library), then you can check out a 2 hour laptop, but only if you are going to stay here in the library.
Also students need to keep in mind that there are fees if a laptop is returned late. “The late fees are $10 per hour, (it’s) capped at $75. And (the library is) very, very, strict on those fees. The big reason is because (the school has) a lot of students on campus who want to check them out and the library only has a limited number of laptops,” Hachey said.
The green screen is located on campus in building 19, also known as Technical Arts building, in room 0119 on the main level. Connor Molter-Gaddy, SFCC student who has been working with the green screen for about two academic quarters said, “The green screen is also capable of tri-casting, which teacher Jason Nix has set up but is so advanced that he really hasn’t had the opportunity to figure out how to teach the students how to use it but potentially we could use it to make lower-thirds and active graphics like you would see on real televen newscasts; like Nascar or other sporting events.”
In that same room, when you walk through the door there is a soundproof recording studio just off to the right. This studio is capable of several impressive and high quality productions. This studio is angle more towards video recording and editing. Some of the task the studio is up to are recording and creating podcasts.
Over in building 15, the music building, there is another recording studio. This one being more so agle towards audio recording. Steve Gamberoni, Program Lead of Audio Technology, said, “this is pretty much a full blown professional recording studio. The software we train the students on it called pro-tools.
“The studio is available for students enrolled in the program. For students that are not enrolled in our program they are allowed to book the studio for personal use, such as creating a CD for their band.”Gamberoni said.
SFCC student Guy Antonius was asked what technology was on campus for student use, “I know there is desktop computers in almost every building for students and there is a laptop rental program. But what many students don’t know is there is also soundproof rooms in the basement of the music building with electronic pianos. The keyboards have multiple settings, as in harpsichord and classical piano. Along with a few other options including a built in recorder.”