Consistency is key for the classrooms at Rice University. That’s why Terry Graham, Manager of Learning Spaces has worked to upgrade classroom technology systems across Rice University to be as similar as possible all types of classrooms. Taking advantage of Hitachi’s OneVision program for higher education, Graham has been specifying Hitachi projectors in most of his classrooms projects over the past three years.
Rice University is one of the top-rated universities in Texas. With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,800, and graduate program enrollment of approximately 2,800, it is important for Graham and the rest of his team to keep the instructional technology systems in the nearly 100 classrooms well maintained.
A standard classroom at Rice University is equipped with many sources, including both a PC and a Mac computer, laptop connections, document camera, and more. Audio reinforcement and one or more projectors, either a lamp-based or laser-sourced depending on room size and brightness, round out the instructional systems.
“We work hard to keep our classrooms as consistent as possible,” says Graham. “The consistency gives great flexibility in scheduling and helps us train faculty in using our systems. We started specifying Hitachi about three years ago because we found they had great quality, offered the same features and brightness as competitors, but at a competitive price. We started by trying Hitachi in just a few of the classrooms, and then every year we have been adding more.”
Rice University joined Hitachi’s OneVision program for higher education facilities that allows colleges and universities to receive specialized pricing, direct access to Hitachi experts, enhanced services extended projector and lamp warranties and program buying rewards that include buy ten projectors get one projector free or buy three projectors get one lamp free.
Most recently, Graham and his team upgraded the system in one of the larger venues with two LP-WU9100 10,000 lumen laser projectors from Hitachi, and has received great feedback on the improvement from the old projector. The team has also purchased 20 CP-WU5505 lamp-based projectors for deployment in smaller classrooms around campus, and will use the OneVision program rewards to receive two free projectors.
For more information on Rice University, please visit http://www.rice.edu/
