Information Technology Services / Consulting and Support Services

Scheduling an Audio Conference Call:

Audio Conferencing services are available for Operator-Assisted and Meet-Me conference calls. Services can be scheduled through the Penn State Call Center by phone 814-863-3410, fax 814-865-1100, e-mail confid@mail.tns.its.psu.edu or using the online request forms.

Conferencing Services are available during the operating hours of the Call Center. Accommodations will try to be made for services needed outside the operating hours, contact the scheduling office as soon as possible to request special arrangements.

Operator-Assisted Conference Calls:

What is it?

Operator-Assisted Conference Calls are audio calls placed with the assistance of the Penn State Call Center Operator. The conference call's progress is monitored through the bridge in order to produce a high quality voice conference and to maintain decent quality as people enter or leave the conference. Operator-Assisted Conference Calls can accommodate up to 29 participants.

How does it work?

Reservations can be made using the Operator-Assisted Conference Call Reservation Form.

The name and telephone number of each participant must be given to the Conference Operator at the time the reservation is made. At the scheduled time for the conference call, the Operator will first call the host (unless otherwise requested) and continue with each of the participants. Each party will be announced as they are connected to the conference.

What does it cost?

A no fee Consulting Services Request Form (CSR) is required to process Operator-Assisted Conference Calls. Only one CSR is required per budget, per fiscal year for unlimited Operator Assist calls.

A Conference Bridge charge of $35.00 and any long distance toll charges (at the discounted University Park rate) will be applied for each Operator-Assisted Conference Call to the CSR.

Question about your reservation?

Email confid@mail.tns.its.psu.edu or call 814-863-3410.

Meet-Me Conference Calls:

What is it?

A Meet-Me Conference Call is a uniquely designed telephone number that allows conferees to call in to.

Note:  Meet-Me bridge sessions are only scheduled for the current semester and upcoming semester.

How does it work?

Reservations can be made using the Meet-Me Conference Call Reservation Form.

At the reserved time, all participants call a specific "Meet Me" Conference phone number. The conference begins when the first two callers call the bridge number. The first caller will hear continuous ringing until the second caller is connected. A tone is heard each time a caller dials in to the conference.

A conference number will be assigned to the originator. It is the responsibility of the originator to inform all potential conferees of the conference number, date, and time of the call.

Eight Conference Telephone Numbers are available to accommodate up to 6, 10, 14 or 30 participants.

After all scheduled conferees have joined the conference, the conference call can be locked by any conference member to ensure privacy. Locking the conference results in others receiving a busy signal.

 

To LOCK the conference:

• Press the Switchhook on a single line dial set
• Press Transfer button on a Meridian Business set
• Press Tap/Flash on a single line touch-tine set
• Press Recall button on a Merlin set

Note: The use of the lock feature is not recommended when cell phones are being used.

The only way to deactivate the lock is to have all conferees hang-up and reconnect to the bridge number.

What does it cost?

Meet-Me bridge services are free. Long distance toll charges will be the responsibility of the calling party.

Question about your reservation?

Email confid@mail.tns.its.psu.edu or call 814-863-3410.

Reservation-less Audio Conferencing – Reservation-less Audio conferencing Service* gives you a permanent toll-free dial-in conferencing number, a standing access code, and a secure Host password that enables you to conduct meetings in your own virtual conference room at your convenience.

Scheduling a Speakerphone:

What is it?

Speakerphones will support a conference room of 30 feet in length. Speakerphones can be used separately or with a handset phone attached. Speakerphones can be requested for analog or digital lines. Speakerphones are not available for VoIP phone lines.

How does it work?

Reservations can be made using the Speakerphone Reservation Form.

A speakerphone will allow answering and placing calls, muting and un-muting the microphone for privacy, adjusting the loudspeaker level, and controlling the pickup zone of the system to suit either a roomful of participants or a single person. They also continuously monitor and adjust to changing room acoustics silently during normal conversation use.

What does it cost?

The use of speakerphones is free and are reserved on a first-come first-served basis. It is the responsibility of the requestor to arrange for pick-up and return of the speakerphones.

Questions?

Email confid@mail.tns.its.psu.edu or call 814-863-3410.

 

How Are We Doing?

In order to ensure that we are providing the best possible Audio Conferencing service, we'd like to ask you to take a moment to complete the Audio Conferencing Evaluation Form.