December 11, 2000 - With far-reaching benefits, a $26,000 grant to Tufts University Television (TUTV) funded mainly by the administration will allow the group to expand its programming options. The money will enable TUTV to purchase ten additional cameras, and provide substantial enhancements to its online offerings.

The request for $26,000 was initially made to the student Senate, which did not have the means necessary to fund the grant. Senate treasurer Michelle Shelton turned to Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard for assistance, and he agreed to the proposal, lauding the wide range of benefits it offered.

"I generally fund one or two projects every year that meet the needs of a broad group of students. For me, the TUTV grant was a no-brainer…. We have students who are ready and the timing is just perfect," Bouchard said.

The immediate result of the grant will be more frequent and expanded programming by TUTV. With only three cameras currently available, scheduling their use is nearly impossible. When an event is filmed, it requires the use of all three cameras and additional wiring from the studio.

TUTV hopes to establish itself as a media and entertainment outlet to the University over the next few months.

"We've come so far from the 12 people we had three years ago, to the over 100 active members we have now. We've got a long way to go, but we're working hard," TUTV President Don Schechter said.

With the new cameras, events such as lectures, sports games, and concerts will receive extensive coverage. The group also plans to improve its offerings, especially its news programs. When more cameras are available at a moment's notice, fast-breaking news can be covered as it is by local news programs. TUTV's goal is to have a full news program run a few nights each week within the coming years.

TUTV is currently revamping its website and plans to launch a new page by next semester. Streaming video of all TUTV programming will be available, as well as weekly broadcast schedules, general station information, and alumni contact information.

When the Internet-2, the next generation version of the world wide web, is released, TUTV plans to pipe their programming into consoles in Dowling Hall, Dewick-MacPhie, and Hotung Café, which would allow those who do not have on-campus cable to view TUTV programming. The group plans to eventually broadcast live over the Internet to students, faculty, and alum from across the globe.

"One of the reasons I think the administration was behind this so much is that it potentially could strengthen the connection between Tufts' alum, and the campus... which is something they are trying very hard to do," Schechter said.

As soon as Schechter receives competitive bids, he plans to purchase five Sony digital field cameras. These are a far cry from professional cameras, which can cost upwards of $50,000, but they will allow the group to film entirely in high-quality digital format.

Schechter said that the grant was necessary because the $7,000 a year that the Senate allocates for TUTV goes almost entirely to repairing the station's outdated equipment. The cameras do not come without complications though, as the computers that TUTV uses will be pushed to their limits with the new technology, making editing and broadcasting more difficult.

While the entire $26,000 grant was approved, TUTV will not receive the money immediately. The administration will use $10,000 from the Arts and Science budget surplus this year. The surplus is excess money saved for emergency funding requests that can be used for capital expenditures if not otherwise spent. In years past, this fund was used to build the Loj in New Hampshire, construct the campus center's patio, and renovate Hotung Café.

The Senate approved a $3,000 expenditure to TUTV on Dec. 3. Its capital expenditure will give $2,000, and $500 will come from Shelton's discretionary fund and TUTV itself.

"They have proven their abilities... and with this grant, they will really be able to become a good source of media at Tufts," Shelton said.

Both Bouchard and the Senate will reevaluate their financial positions in the near future to determine how best to fund the additional $13,000. According to Bouchard, if the rest of the money is not available at the end of the year, then the issue will be dealt with during the summer or at the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year.

According to Schechter, very few on-campus groups can offer a service simultaneously to all on-campus students. For TUTV members, the club provides an outlet for students' creative energies, offering a venue for sketch comedy programming, serious political discussions, and even dating games.