What is the Speaking Center?

The Speaking Center is a place where students may go to practice public presentations, engage in communication research activities, and hold private conferences with faculty. The Center’s facilities include a practice room large enough to accommodate a dozen students, two small consult rooms, a computer and a library for researching individual and group presentations

Speaking Center Policies

  • Students and groups wishing to use the large practice room to practice take precedence.  Groups or individuals wishing to plan,  prepare, or do research for presentations, are encouraged to use the consult rooms or the library/computer/study area for this purpose.

  • Out of consideration for others, Speaking Center rooms should be left as found (i.e. books put away, trash thrown away, etc.).

Who can use the Speaking Center?

At this time, due to limited staffing and resources, the Speaking Center is only available for use by students who are currently enrolled in Communication classes or by special permission from the Comm. Dept. Head.

Camera/Media Equipment

The Speaking Center practice room is equipped with a video camera for video taping presentations.  Unfortunately, without funding for an attendant to monitor and train students in the use of this equipment, only students who have been trained on the equipment by their instructors may use the camera at this time.

Due to issues of confidentiality, students are expected to take any recordings of their presentations with them, or give the tape to the administrative staff to be wiped clean.

Students wishing to keep a copy of their taped practice presentation may  provide their own videotape or purchase a tape from the administrative staff for $2.00.

Where is the Speaking Center?

The Speaking Center is located on the 5th floor of the Gruening Bldg., in the UAF Dept. of Communication.

Library Books & Journals

The Speaking Center has a small library of books and journals on communication topics.  Students may check books out for one week.  Journals may not be checked out, but students may make copies of the articles they require.

Scheduling Procedures

  • Individuals may sign-up for a 30-minute block of time in the practice or conference rooms during regular office hours Mon. through Fri.. Groups with multiple presentations may sign-up for multiple blocks.

  • Students are welcomed to drop-in and practice their speeches. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding for an attendant, there is no one available to help students with their presentations on a drop-in basis. Students who would like help with their presentations may schedule an appointment with their instructors or seek them out during their office hours.

  • Students who use the Center may enter their practice time in the Speaking Center Log at the front desk so that their instructor will be aware of their efforts

 

Come practice and be marvelous!