UNL 'vodcasts' recruitment videos

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is using new technology to provide more access to information about the university with its first "vodcast" release of its popular "Real Nebraska" video episodes.

Vodcast (or video podcast) is an emerging term used for the online delivery of video-on-demand content. Podcasting allows users to subscribe to a set of feeds to view view syndicated Web site content. With podcasting, instead of reading the feeds on a computer screen, users can listen to or view the content on an iPod or similar device. Apple released its newest version of the popular iPod portable multimedia device, which has video playing capabilities, on Oct. 12. UNL may be the first institution to use vodcasts to deliver video to prospective students.

UNL gained national attention for its Real Nebraska Web site launched in 2003. The Web site features a new theme this fall, with a series of videos produced in a "man-on-the-street" interview format in which host David Burge gathers student feedback about life at Nebraska. This is the third variation of the project, which featured UNL student photos, videos and Web logs in 2003-04 and a student-produced movie contest in 2004-05.

The vodcast videos will help prospective students gain a better understanding of the college experience, said Alan Cerveny, dean of admissions.

"Students are continuing to use new technology as an important part of their lives, and we want to offer them information about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in a way they prefer to receive it," Cerveny said.

Students who do not have a portable multimedia device can view the Real Nebraska videos online at http://realnebraska.unl.edu.

CONTACT: Alan Cerveny, Dean, Admissions, (402) 472-9531