By now, most students have seen the many screens scattered around different buildings on campus, constantly displaying information.
The flat screens are Matador Information Network Displays (MIND) that display information of activities and events that are happening on campus and important deadlines.
Last summer 14 screens went live and on Sept. 27 there will be a total of 21 MIND screens located throughout campus.
There are three sections on the MIND screens. The sections are posters, videos and a calendar section displaying events that are happening that day. There is also a weather widget that shows a three-day forecast as well as the time.
The posters and videos are ads for activities and events that are happening on campus.
The calendar shows information on sport events, important deadlines or other events that are happening that day, said Alex Velasco, MIND assistant.
Some information that is displayed on the MIND screen is very specific to the location of the screens. For example, if the screen is in Bayramian Hall it will show financial aid deadlines.
“Ultimately, the goal is for the information to be specific to every building so the news is more relevant for the people that are looking at it,” said Velasco.
Funding for the MIND screens came from the Campus Quality Fee, which is included in students’ tuition. Its purpose is “to ensure the quality of students’ experience through the elimination of most course fees, advancements in technology, instructionally related activities, access to student support services, and campus spirit/athletics,” according to their website.
The cost of the screens depends on the building that it is located in and whether it is indoor or outdoor, said Velasco.
There are restrictions on who can post and what can be posted on the MIND screens.
Only recognized clubs or organizations are able to post on the screens and the events have to be on campus.
“The only reason why everyday students can’t post is because we have to follow CSUN policy and guidelines, and if you are a CSUN club or organization you already have to abide by those guidelines,” said Velasco.
Submission forms, guidelines and policies for posting on the MIND screens can be found on csunas.org
The idea for informational screens is not new.
The need for screens has been recognized for a while now because information of events and activities is not available in one place for students.
“We want students to know how much is going on and this puts it all in one place,” said Ken Premo, manager of support services for Associated Students.
“Six or seven years ago an informational screens project was launched using five regular T.V. sets. The displays were more like PowerPoint shows and the screens were large and awkward but the project didn’t go anywhere because it wasn’t serving its purpose,” said Premo.
According to Premo, the MIND screens are more interactive and can go in more places than the first screens could.
“The MIND screens are a modern new way to deliver information, they are greener in the sense that you don’t have to waste paper to advertise events, it makes our campus look up to date and it keeps us at the technological curb not behind it,” said Velasco.
Velasco says that the goal for the MIND screens are to increase communication, for students to have information more readily accessible and to be more in tuned to how students want to receive information.
“Having it in the dorms, there is an X amount of freshmen that come in and for them to really get involved on campus this is really a great tool. They’ll get to see all these organizations that are having events and it will give them specific information of where to go and what to do.”
Ahammed Hossain, a first year engineering management graduate student, said the screens are good because they provide more information and has already found them to be helpful.
“They help me know where I am so I can find out how to get where I need to be since I don’t know my way around campus,” said Hossain. “It’s easier for me to know what events are on campus if it’s on the screens.”
