Associated Students Technical Services (ASTEC) has been behind the scenes of many of the events on campus since 1980.
ASTEC offers sound systems, professional lighting systems, projection systems and live recordings, according to the ASTEC website.
Andrew Hays, ASTEC coordinator, said ASTEC has been able to provide services to 600 events this fiscal year including events hosted by RSOs, the Union and ASUW.
“This year has been another in a long series of rapid development for the program,” Hays said. “We have more than doubled the number of events we provide services to in the last five years.”
Hays said ASTEC is pleased with the culture of events on campus and had milestone events throughout the year. ASTEC had the chance of working closely with ASUW for the first time this year.
“We have always maintained a relationship with ASUW,” Hays said. “So escalating that relationship to a conversational level about the ins-and-outs of the program and hearing their thoughts about the direction will help us propel into the future.”
ASTEC received more funding this year for a second full-time position, which Hays said was another milestone for the program. Hays said his workload can become overwhelming during the school year and makes it harder for the program to develop strategically.
“The addition of a second position will not only relieve some of the burden off the program, but help us grow with campus need,” Hays said.
ASTEC worked closely with the Gardens since there was a concert every Thursday that needed their services.
When asked about the Gardens staying open Hays said, “Like frilly toothpicks, I’m for it.”
Studio WYO started hosting programming at the Gardens a few years ago, which led to ASTEC working with local musicians. Studio WYO is the programming branch of ASTEC.
“Selfishly, we were afraid that the Gardens were going to disappear because Studio WYO is a training program for ASTEC’s student technicians,” Hays said. “It is a great laboratory where mistakes can be made, learning situations are abundant and it diversifies the knowledge of the industry in for the technicians involved.”
Hays said ASTEC’s technicians like serving a “non-traditional audience” and were able to find that through the Gardens.
“Most programming on campus is aimed toward a niche, and we found our own in the Gardens,” said Hays.
Hays said, of the people who attend events, he sees about 80 percent students and 20 percent alumni and community members.
“It is great to be part of a community with a mission to serve the university on many levels,” Hays said. “The best part is that ASTEC is here to serve the students above all others and we now have a voice in the technological community.”
ASTEC will be returning next year to offer services for campus wide events.
“We will be working with the Union on many levels to help make this building not only a hub for students,” Hays said. “But the best place to host programming in Laramie.”
