UTB-TSC goes high-tech

Officials at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College are hoping to reach a tech-savvy generation with the university's first interactive kiosk, which was unveiled Tuesday at Sunrise Mall in Brownsville.

Equipped with a Web cam, microphone, speakers and even a printer, the UTB-TSC Virtual Info Shop allows potential and current students to videoconference live with university staff in admissions, financial aid, registration, enrollment, testing and other areas.

Officials and students called it a "technological breakthrough."

"It's convenient and readily available for students," senior Isis Lopez said. "They can stop by while they're walking around shopping. They don't have to go to campus to ask about their financial aid or student ID numbers or anything else they would like to inquire."

The Virtual Info Shop is near J.C. Penny and will be open during the mall's regular business hours. Five more interactive kiosks will be located in each of the city's five public high schools and are expected to be opened in the fall.

The AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., footed the bill on the university's first kiosk and will help with funding for another three stations through a $25,000 grant. UTB-TSC is seeking additional funds to finance the other two kiosks, each of which may cost between $7,000 to $8,000, said Linda Fossen, who is associate vice president for enrollment management and one of the masterminds behind the project.

University officials are also looking for funds to eventually place kiosks in 23 high schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley, at the city's public library, Cameron Works and other community service centers in service areas, Fossen said.

The university will staff appropriately as they increase the number of kiosks, she said.

Making the first interactive kiosk technologically possible was Rene Sainz, assistant director for Distance Education. Sainz said new features would soon be added to all interactive kiosks, including enhanced privacy features and scanners.

The university has always been a leading institution in technological advancement and has "the most sophisticated platform in the world" in distance learning, Sainz said.

For UTB-TSC, interactive kiosks are another stride the university has made in the digital age.

"It's just a reflection of all the technology we already use at the university," he said.