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Gonzaga University currently has three methods available for conference calling by employees of the University: Dial-in Conference Bridge, Switchboard Operator Assisted, and AT&T Operator Assisted Conference Calling.
OPTION I – CONFER II CONFERENCE BRIDGE:
The University has dial-in teleconference bridges available for University business use. The bridges can be activated and deactivated by Customer Services Staff at Plant and Construction Services. There can be one 12 party or less and one 6 party or less call on the bridge simultaneously. The Confer II Bridge is a dial-in conference call, with a direct-in-dial number and security access code that links callers to the bridge. Callers can call into the bridges from their home, office, anywhere vs all sitting in a conference room around a conference phone.
The GU host/employee will need to contact Customer Service to schedule the call and get the dial-in number and security access code at least 48 hours in advance of the conference call time. Customer Service will activate the bridge just prior to the scheduled conference call time. The GU host/employee is responsible to provide the dial-in number and security code to the participants of the conference call. The participants dial directly into the bridge at the designated time and date and the bridge teleconference is in session. Participants linked to the Confer II Bridge can join or drop out at any time during the call session. Once the conference call is complete, Customer Service will deactivate the bridge until its next scheduled conference call.
The Confer II Bridge is the preferred method of conference calling on campus.
The participants calling long distance to the University Confer II Bridge will see the cost of the call on their individual phone bills.
NOTE: Individuals calling into the bridge from an on-campus phone can dial the last four digits of the direct dial number (ie ext 7099 or ext 7095). Local Spokane callers can dial the 7 digit direct dial phone number (ie 313-XXXX). Out of state/long distance callers need to dial the area code and phone number or the 800 number if/when applicable. 800#s are available on the Confer II Conference Bridges.(See dial-in instructions table for additional information).
OPTION II – SWITCHBOARD HOSTED CONFERENCE CALL:
GU Switchboard Operators can set up a conference call for up to 6 participants through the Switchboard console. The GU host/employee will need to schedule the time/date and provide the Switchboard with a list including caller names and phone numbers prior to the scheduled conference call time/date. To initiate this conference call the GU host needs to call the Switchboard Operator from a campus phone (calls cannot be hosted from off campus phones). The host will be placed on hold while the Switchboard Operator gathers the other participants and then releases the call to the GU host thus connecting all the participants. If a participant is not available at the time the switchboard operator is setting up the conference they can not be added once the call is released to the GU host. Callers cannot drop out and come back in at random during this type of conference call. Returns or additional callers will require the Switchboard Operators to start the gathering process over and again if the call has already been released to the GU host by the Switchboard.
Departments may be recharged for the expense of these conference calls. A budget number will need to be provided at the time the call is scheduled with the Switchboard Operator.
GU INDIVIDUAL PHONE CONFERENCE FEATURES:
Several of the newer styles of GU multi-line phones have conference capability (Avaya 6408d+, 6416D+M, Avaya 2410, 2420). Individuals pending style of phone can host a 3 party or 6 party conference call. For additional information on your individual phone conference capabilities, contact Customer Service, Ext 5656 and request a Work Order for phone feature/conference training.
AT&T OPERATOR ASSISTED CONFERENCE CALLS:
Conference calls that exceed 18 participants may require the use of the AT&T Conference Operator. The GU host/employee will need to contact Customer Service at Plant Services for the 800# to set up the call. A budget number to recharge the department may need to be provided to Customer Service at the time the ATT Conference 800# is provided.
The AT&T Operator provides two options for conference calling:
1). The AT&T Operator can provide the GU host with a dial-in number and access code, which the GU host will then provide to the conference call participants (Similar to Option I above).
2). The AT&T Operator gathers and releases all the conference participants to the GU Host. The GU Host will need to provide a list of names and phone numbers to the AT&T Operator. (Similar to Option II above).
This option is very expensive and should be the last choice a department will use for conference calling. Departments may be recharged for the cost of the AT&T Operator set up fee as well as the accumulated long distance minutes used by all the participants of the conference call.
SCHEDULING CONFERENCE CALLS:
The GU host will need to contact Customer Service to schedule conference calls. GU Conference Calling bridges are available only by reservation and on a first come first serve bases. Please make your reservations well in advance of your desired conference time to ensure availability and set up of the system.