Laurier University digital signage is by students, for students

by all | 18 July 2013 8:30 am

Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., is using digital signage to keep students well-informed and to promote clubs, events, sports teams and academic resources on campus. In fact, while the network was initiated by faculty, it is primarily used by the student union.

Founded in 1911 and considered a mid-size university, with approximately 12,000 students, Laurier is known for its small class sizes. In recent years, to help maintain a close-knit sense of campus community, the faculty has sought new ways to increase participation in extracurricular activities. By placing screens in busy areas, this information could be conveyed concisely and in a visually appealing format.

After researching various platforms, Laurier chose display software from Omnivex in Concord, Ont., that would allow staff and students to ‘drag and drop’ content. Sharp’s Audio Visual, whose offices across Canada include one in Markham, Ont., provided project integration services and on-site technical support.

The Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU), which represents and serves all undergraduate students, is the main group using the digital signage system, including screens outside the union’s reception area, at the campus variety store, throughout the Terrace Food Court, in the main concourse and in the university’s hall of fame. WLUSU manages all of the content displayed throughout the student centre, including event schedules, live TV feeds, weather forecasts and local news.

“Live news is great for grabbing students’ attention,” says Phil Champagne, WLUSU’s marketing and events manager. “For that reason, the ability to display real-time content was an important factor for us.”

“In one case, the main phone line went down for the Foot Patrol volunteer service, which walks students home in the evening, but they were able to display a temporary number on the screens until the problem could be resolved,” says Pat Blomfield, WLUSU’s vice-president (VP) of public affairs.

This capability has also proven useful for Laurier’s on-campus security group, which can quickly display emergency notifications.

[2]Kerry Martin, the university’s computer sales and technical support representative, manages digital signage separately for the Laurier Bookstore, where third-party in-store advertising is accompanied by university sport highlights and other features.

“The system is simple to use and I can manage it myself on a day-to-day basis,” says Martin, “with no need for Laurier to hire additional staff or consume other resources.”

Following WLUSU and the Laurier Bookstore’s lead, the network has been expanded to the Brantford Campus Bookstore, where content managed from Waterloo is complemented by local staff’s contributed messaging.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/laurier-university-digital-signage-is-by-students-for-students/

---