Sonoma State University students now have a new way to learn about campus events and watch sporting events and movies with the creation of LoboVision. LoboVision, a nearly 300-square-foot digital screen in the university’s Seawolf Plaza, has attracted a lot of mixed feedback from the Sonoma State community.
Associated Students, in collaboration with the Student Center Board of Administration, have worked to make LoboVision a reality since 2014, something intended to bring a better sense of awareness of events to Sonoma State students.
“I enjoy LoboVision,” said President of Associated Students Brandon Mercer. “I think it will get the word out to students about events and other campus advertisementsquicker and in a more efficient way.”
LoboVision was created because of the recurring complaint by students to the university that they feel they are not informed about events, according to university officials.
Associated Students has made it its biggest priority to communicate with students through social media and flyers but felt those two advertising strategies weren’t doing the trick.
LoboVision displays flashy advertisements to Sonoma State students in the busiest area of campus. Associated Students is trying to contact outside advertisment to earn some financial benefits, however their priority is advertising our campus first.
“Not only can LoboVision advertise events on campus but we are also looking to stream sporting games, performances at Weill Hall and Associated Students debates,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Ernst. “Along with that, LoboVision has speakers so we are hoping to start movie nights in the quad for students.”
A recurring theme as to why students are upset about the creation of LoboVision is that the money could have been put towards hiring more professors, especially with the potential of a strike this semester. The university doesn’t have one budget used for the entire school, but instead a bunch of smaller budgets for specific departments. The budget for LoboVision supports campus construction and renovations, not faculty or salary of professors.
LoboVision was created by capital improvement funds to improve the Student Center, Recreation Center and campus life purposes only. Faculty and course budget is in a completely different department of money which also can only be used for those purposes. In simple terms, Sonoma State is evenly dividing their budget to improve the lives of students and communication to them.
“One thing I was wondering is why is it so big and so bright. When I was walking through the quad at night it was so blinding that I felt like I couldn’t even read the advertisements” said sophomore Undeclared major Katrina Torgersen. “However if it played music and videos that would be pretty cool.”
Since LoboVision has only been up and running for about two weeks, university maintainance is still working with the brightness and the fine tuning will not be complete until mid February.
They are also looking into not running the screen after a certain time of night to help conserve energy, however it is powered by LED lights which are much better for the environment and more efficient. LoboVision’s estimated cost was $340,000 according to Ernst.
