Audio/Visual Equipment:
Usage and Policy

In order to clear up any misconceptions about, and to clarify the situation concerning the audio/visual equipment in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, please be advised: 

1. The Department of Spanish & Portuguese possesses for use in any room: 

Each of these pieces of equipment has an electrical cord firmly taped to the body of the machine. Some of these pieces of equipment still have a remote control attached, some do not (this is due solely to losses incurred during use by individuals within the department). 

This equipment is available on a first come, first served basis. 

2. The Spanish & Portuguese Department possesses for use in any room in Humanities Hall: 

This equipment is available by advance reservation at:  sandpav@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu.

3. The Department of Spanish & Portuguese possesses for use in the Technologically Enhanced Classroom (TEC), Humanities Hall 342, one cart set-up with: 

This equipment is available by advance reservation at:  sandpav@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu.

4. The Humanities Instructional Resource Center (HIRC) possesses, for use in HOB2-131: 

and, for use in HH: 

This equipment is available only by means of a 48-hour advance reservation at: av@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu.

5. The Department of Spanish & Portuguese possesses instruction manuals for each piece of equipment in the TV/VCR/DVD lists above for use by any individual seeking to educate her/himself in the proper use of the equipment. The instruction manuals are located in the large red 3-ring binder on the front desk in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese in individual sheet protectors. If you would like to review these instruction manuals before using the equipment, in order to familiarize yourself with the equipment and facilitate hassle-free use during class time, please ask one of the departmental staff or work/study students to provide you with a copy for your review. 

The reason that the Department of Spanish & Portuguese possesses this vast array of audio/visual equipment is to facilitate the use of a wider range of teaching tools for instructional purposes than would be possible without the equipment. We also have our own equipment to take a large burden of time, energy, and equipment usage off the HIRC. 

If you would like to take advantage of the availability of this equipment, the Department of Spanish & Portuguese invites you to do so, with the knowledge that it is incumbent upon you to educate yourself in the proper use, care, maintenance, and respect for the equipment, bearing in mind that it belongs equally to you yourself and 59 of your colleagues. 

Be advised that you must make the time to arrive early to check the equipment prior to using it, as there is no guarantee that the last user will have left it in the condition in which you would like to begin to use it. However, please endeavor to leave the equipment in the condition in which you would like to find it yourself. Pay special attention to returning all equipment with its own remote controls and cords. 

6. You may report the following problems to the front desk staff for potential assistance: 

7. With respect to the cart with the LAPTOP/DVD/VCR: 

There are 4 separate cord arrangements possible at any given time: 

1. laptop & laser projector 
2. laser projector & domestic DVD 
3. laser projector & multi-region DVD 
4. laser projector & multi-region VCR 

It is not possible for any given individual to intuit what cord arrangement the next user will need. Come to the Department of Spanish & Portuguese office early enough to set up the equipment in the fashion that your needs require if you plan to utilize it for instructional purposes. 

8. The Department of Spanish & Portuguese does not possess any staff of audio/visual technicians. Thus, the use of the equipment by the members of the department is based upon an informal advance reservation and the honor system. Furthermore, there will be no special attention payed to the A/V equipment by the Department Administrative Staff with the exception of making note of reported problems (as listed above) and making an attempt to resolve them in a timely manner as time, staffing, and budget permit. 

If you find that you have any questions remaining about the A/V equipment in the Department, please email Pamela Ganné and she will attempt to answer them to the best of her ability. Thank you very much for your patience and your cooperation in matters concerning the Department of Spanish & Portuguese’s A/V equipment.