Audiovisual Services

Equipment Loan Policy

• AV and IT equipment is available for university academic and business use.
• University Students, Faculty and Staff may borrow select AV and IT equipment. However, students require approval from Faculty or Staff members to request AV equipment.
• Indoor equipment reservation requests should be placed a minimum of two business days in advance of the pick-up or delivery. This allows the CougarNet Helpdesk enough time to process and fulfill the request.
• Outdoor equipment reservations should be placed a minimum of two weeks in advance of the equipment delivery. This ensures that CougarNet has enough time to schedule staff for required sound pressure level monitoring.
• Outdoor equipment requests placed less than two weeks in advance may not be fulfilled or may be substituted with less acoustically powerful equipment.
• Audio systems at outdoor event must be kept at or below 58 dBA on the perimeter of campus. CougarNet staff will perform all sound pressure level compliance monitoring and will strictly enforce the 58 dBA limit. Electrical service and/or equipment may be refused or removed if direction from CougarNet Staff pertaining to audio equipment volume is not followed.
• Requests for technical event support should be placed no less than two weeks in advance of the event. This ensures that CougarNet has enough time to scheduled staff to provide the requested support.

Place an Equipment Loan Request

Equipment loan requests may be submitted using the following methods.

• On-line: helpdesk.cuchicago.edu. Preferred
• In-Person: CougarNet Helpdesk, 2nd Floor of Klinck Memorial Library
• Phone: 708-209-3131
• Email: cougarnet@cuchicago.edu

When placing an equipment loan request, please include the following information:

• Location - Indicate where the equipment should be delivered OR if you will pick-up the equipment from the CougarNet Helpdesk.
• Start Date/Time - The date and time when your event begins.
• End Date/Time - The date and time when your event concludes.
• Equipment Needed - The list of requested equipment.
• Event Name - The title of the event or reason for the request, such as "Work From Home".
• Event Type - Indicate whether the request is for a undergraduate class, graduate class, meeting, or other event.

Standard Technologies

CougarNet has standardized on a number of audiovisual technologies to maximize connectivity and allow as many users as possible to take advantage of campus resources.

These technologies include:

• 1/8" Plug
  • The 1/8-Inch plug allows you to connect consumer audio sources to a sound system. Such sources include laptops, tablets, and some phones. Apple iPhone 7 and up will require an adapter.
• Projector Sound
  • Rooms which provide "Projector Sound" rely on loudspeakers that are housed inside the projector itself to produce sound. The sound quality of these loudspeakers are often described as sounding small and thin. If these loudspeakers are not sufficient for your use, portable loudspeakers may be reserved from the CougarNet Helpdesk by a faculty or staff member.
• Speaker Sound
  • Rooms that provide "Speaker Sound" use stand alone loudspeakers to provide audio support. These loudspeakers tend to produce a full sound at an appropriate volume.
• AirPlay
  • AirPlay is technology which enables Apple computers to stream their video over Wi-Fi to the room's large display. Windows computers may also use AirPlay with the aid of specialty software. CougarNet recommends AirParrot from AirSquirrels.com
• HDMI
  • The HDMI connector transmits both digital audio and video from your device to the display. When and HDMI adapter is used, it will be necessary to connect the 1/8-Inch plug to the adapter so that audio will pass to the loudspeaker.
• Mini-DP
  • The Mini-DisplayPort connector transmits digital video from your device to the display.
• VGA
  • The VGA connector transmits analog video from your device to the display.
• USB-C
  • The USB-C connector transmits digital video from your device to the display.
• Zoom Rooms and Zoom share screen
  • Classrooms with Zoom Rooms technology enable face-to-face and hyflex instruction and collaboration. 
• Document Camera
  • A Document Camera, sometimes called a visualizer, is a camera raised above a platform. Documents and objects placed under the camera are shown on the large display.
• Web Camera
  • Rooms with "Webcam" support will have either a fixed camera located above the display or a movable Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera below the display. Presets for movable cameras can be selected from the room's touch panel controller. All cameras will require a USB connection to a laptop in order to be used.
• SMART Board
  • Interactive whiteboards, such a the SMART Board, transform the large display into an interactive touch surface for connected computers. A USB connection and specific software drivers are required in order to take advantage of the whiteboard's interactive features. Otherwise, the whiteboard functions as a simple projection screen.

On-Demand Support

Contact 708-209-3131 during the Helpdesk's open hours to request assistance. If the issue cannot be resolved over the phone a technician will be dispatched to your location for on-site assistance.

Contact the University Switchboard at 708-771-8300 to request audiovisual support during the weekend when the Helpdesk is closed. An on-call technician will then be dispatched to your location for on-site assistance. Please note that it may take some time before the on-call technician arrives.

Academic Year Hours

Summer Hours

All hours are subject to change.

Reporting a Technology Problem

CougarNet strives to maintain classroom and meeting room technologies in perfect working order. Unfortunately, components become worn out or damaged and no longer function correctly. When this happens, we need your help. Please report any technology issue to the CougarNet Helpdesk.

If the issue needs be resolved quickly, call us at 708-209-3131. Otherwise, please submit a Web Help Desk ticket at helpdesk.cuchicago.edu. Select the Request Type "Audio/Visual > A/V Maintenance" when classroom or meeting room technology is at fault.

Event Technical Support

CougarNet offers two levels of support for your event: Start-Up Support and Full Service Event Operation.

Start-Up Support consist of a quick check-in by a CougarNet Technician prior to the start of your event. They will work with you to perform a sound and video check of your media and the provided equipment. This level of support is available for all classes and events. It may be scheduled as part or your request at helpdesk.cuchicago.edu.

Full Service Event Operation is performed by a CougarNet Technician. During your event they will operate all audiovisual equipment. This can include the monitoring and adjustment of audio levels, the advancement of slides and other video content, and the operation of lighting instruments. Due to it's time intensive nature and limited staff availability, this service is only available for high profile events or those events with complex technical needs. Requests for this level of support should be made a minimum of three full weeks in advance of your event. When placing the order outline your need in the "Request Detail" portion of your request at helpdesk.cuchicago.edu.

Training

Individual instruction on the operation of AV or IT technologies is available by appointment.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at helpdesk.cuchicago.edu