NATIONAL COVERAGE MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO CAMPUS COOPERATION

While the Office of University Relations was able to bring CNN and CBS News to campus Monday, the visits would not have been as successful as they were without the cooperation of several campus departments.

A reporter and crew from CNNdotcom, a half-hour news program that focuses on the impact of technology and computers on people's lives, was on campus for a story about online courses at Old Dominion. A crew from CBS News' 48 Hours was also on campus interviewing chemistry student Chris Robertson for its "Class of 2000" series.

Donald Smith, associate professor of sociology, was filmed teaching his "Introduction to Social Research" course in the traditional classroom, and was interviewed by CNN about the differences between teaching online and the classroom. William Hart, assistant professor of communication, and Tom Cash, professor of psychology, were also filmed teaching TELETECHNET courses.

Both crews decided to use Kaufman Mall as a setting for student interviews, amidst the backdrop of a bustling university. What they did not count on, however, was the whir of lawn mowers and the churning of construction equipment at Constant Hall. Ron Tolla and Bob Fenning of Facilities Management saved the day by temporarily quieting the construction and muting the mowers.

In addition, campus security quickly responded to a last-minute request to guard the CNN equipment in the Batten Arts and Letters Building while the crew filmed outdoors.

"It's a testament to the cooperation on this campus that so many departments could work together so national news crews could get a shot," said John R. Broderick, vice president for institutional advancement.

Air dates for the two programs will be announced at a later date.