The Associated Students Technical Services program showcased its progress during a presentation to the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming on Tuesday, highlighting major changes to the program over the past year.
During a “State of the ASTEC” address, Director of ASTEC Andrew Hays said the biggest changes include an easier reservation process, an improved live music program and a new set of state-of-the-art lights.
Hays said ASTEC is one of the only revenue-generating entities under ASUW. The program provided lighting and sound for 389 events last year.
Live music sessions, known as Studio Wyo, create a lab environment for training technicians, Hays said. The program also benefits local musicians, who are able to play on professional equipment and learn concert etiquette.
Hays said the programs occur at a wide range of venues because, “We want everyone who likes live music to come out.”
ASTEC also updated the entire lighting system a year ahead of schedule due to “wicked discounts on really expensive gear.” Hays said the new lighting allows them to create a vivacious and energetic attitude across the venue, which “keeps the venues from looking like airport terminals.”
With the lighting finished early, the program is set up for modern, intelligent lighting. Another possibility is LED lights, which take 1/15 the power of conventional stage lighting and pay for themselves in energy savings.
Hays informed the senators that there will be ASTEC funding requests crossing their paths that will have some hefty price tags. ASTEC plans, among other things, to purchase higher quality equipment, Hays said. He described the current equipment as “pro-sumer,” between professional- and consumer-level equipment. With better equipment, ASTEC will be the best audio and lighting in the region.
In the future, ASTEC plans to reach out to theater, music and engineering departments on campus for recruiting and other learning opportunities.
“It’s a mini class in engineering and programming altogether,” said Hays. “To get someone to want to be a learner, not just a student, is something that is very important to ASTEC.”
Other activities:
– UW student Dakota Nowell addressed the senate to ask for advice and support for a large-scale haunted zombie attraction to take place around Halloween.
– ASUW approved $10,850 to go to the Indian Students’ Association for a Diwali celebration. Also known as Festival of Lights, the celebration will have authentic food and Bollywood dancing.
– Spectrum, an organization that focuses on education and support for the LGBT community, was granted $3,266.76 for a “pink prom” event. The prom will feature an open-minded atmosphere with dancing and speakers who will discuss gay rights issues.
– The International Justice Mission, a human rights organization aimed at eliminating modern-day slavery, was awarded $3,900 to bring the activist band JUBILEE back to campus for a third time.
