Maintenance, Facilities and Classroom Information

For most maintenance requests, please use the Service2Facilities website to make a request through Facilities, Operations and Development (FOD). 

For emergency requests ONLY, call 614-292-HELP (4357).

For HVAC problems, please check the Denney Hall thermostat listing [.pdf]. The problem could be caused by the thermostat controlling the temperature in your office which may be located in a neighbor's office.

Heating-Cooling Transition – FOD maintenance personnel conduct season heating-cooling transitions in April and October.  FOD works to ensure a seamless changeover, but weather variations may cause unanticipated fluctuations to interior temperatures.

Trash and recycling should be placed in the large, side-by-side trash and recycling bins in the hallway, main office (Denney Hall room 421), and/or staff lounge. The larger bins are emptied daily.

For custodial requests, please contact the Housekeeping Manager, Tod Linton by phone 614-292-HELP (4357) or email service2facilities@osu.edu. 

To make a project request or other FOD request (e.g. for signage), visit the Facilities, Operation and Development Request website.

To schedule a department meeting room please see our Departmental Calendar page. To reserve non-departmental classroom space, please contact our front desk staff at english@osu.edu.

For Denney Hall building hours (and hours for other buildings across campus), visit the Registrar's scheduling page, scroll down to the heading "Classroom Pool Information," and select the appropriate semester building schedule link.

If you have an urgent need (e.g. there's a squirrel in your classroom), call Classroom Services at 614-688-4357 (HELP).

If you're experiencing an issue that can wait until your next class period to be addressed (e.g. there's a bug in a particular program on your classroom computer, the projector is a little finicky), you can request onsite assistance from Classroom Services.

Computing: In Room, Wireless and Wired Connection

When you first enter the room, the screen should be off; you can turn it on by pressing the Display: ON button on the wall panel below the screen. There is an installed computer in each room which works with the built-in soundbar/camera, keyboard, and mouse. If its login screen doesn’t appear automatically you can bring it up by pressing the PC button on the button panel.

(Be aware that the button panel has a surprisingly long delay after each button press during which it doesn’t respond to any other button presses. You should hear a soft audible beep for a successful button press.)

While there is now a dedicated computer (Windows operating system) in each room, you still have the capability of projecting to the display with a laptop, either wirelessly or via HDMI. To use HDMI, press that button on the wall panel.

To project wirelessly, you’ll use Creston’s AirMedia software. Begin by opening a web browser and going to the URL noted in the bottom-left of the screen. That page should prompt you to click the “Start Presenting” button, then launch the appropriate software, or give you a prompt to download it if you never have before. Once the software is open, follow its prompts to connect and disconnect, including entering the code displayed just below the URL on the display.

Note for Mac users: AirMedia will give you instructions for how to connect that may not work for you, because Mac changed the process in the most recent system updates. If AirMedia tells you to click on a menubar icon that doesn’t exist, instead:

1. Go to the display’s URL as usual
2. Open System Preferences
3. Open Displays
4. Click the “Add Displays” dropdown in the lower-left of the window and select the matching URL (likely the only one listed)
5. Enter the code on the display
6. To disconnect: return to Displays and open the Add Displays dropdown again, selecting the same URL to uncheck/disconnect

Audio/Visual

The in-room camera will dynamically focus based on the number of people in the room. This is supported by the app Huddly (this is for informational purposes only; it shouldn’t be necessary to adjust the app.) You can control the audio levels using the control panel in the computer’s system tray (lower-right of the screen, for people who don’t use Windows frequently).

Note: the camera is only available for the in-room PC. If you are connecting via HDMI or AirMedia, you may have access to the soundbar as a speaker in Zoom — look for the URL in the speaker selection list — but likely not the microphone

Turning on the projector

To turn on the projector, press “Display Power” on the black panel in the front of the room. If nothing is displaying, ensure that the correct input is selected on the panel. PC will project the in-room Dell computer; HDMI will project a personal device connected via HDMI cable; and VGA will project a personal device connected via VGA cable.

Microphones 

Microphones should be used for any kind of large meeting. Even if you have great projection, it is still very difficult to hear in the back of the room because of the HVAC white noise. If you have remote attendees on Zoom, you will need to use the room microphones—otherwise, the Zoom attendees won’t be able to hear you. 

We have six microphones in the room: 

• 4 wireless handheld mics 
• 1 wired handheld mic 
• 1 wireless clip-on lapel mic 

The mics are all located inside the lectern. The wireless mics should be on the top shelf, and the wired mic and its cord in a large leatherette bag on the middle shelf. 

The mics can be set up on stands in various places throughout the room. There are: 

• 4 straight mic stands 
• 1 boom-style mic stand 
• 1 tabletop mic stand

To use the mics:

While the mic system is integrated with the in-room computer for use in hybrid meetings, the mics function for in-room amplification even without the projection system turned on. 

1. Push “Mic Mute” to unmute the mics. (If the “Mic Mute” light is red, mics are muted.) 
2.  Ensure any wireless mics used are turned on (for handheld mics, on = up) 
3. Control the volume level with the Mic Volume + and - buttons on the wall panel 

The wireless mics will need to be turned on individually. The wired mic is on all the time and just needs to be un-muted. Extra batteries for the wireless mics are in the DMP.

Microphone troubleshooting: 

If the microphones don’t seem to be amplifying your voice 

• Are you holding the mic right? Handheld mics are directional: they should be pointed toward the mouths and held a reasonable distance away. 
• Are the mics muted? The Mic Mute light on the wall panel should be off. 
• Is the mic volume down? Try pushing the mic volume + button. (There is no visual indicator of mic volume.)

If you’re getting feedback from the microphones: 

This should hopefully be less of a problem since the new equipment install in November 2022, but below are some troubleshooting steps: 

• Try moving around the room—often feedback happens because the mics are too close together or too close to a speaker. 
• Try turning the mic volume down. 
• If you’re using two wireless microphones, make sure they are far from each other. If they need to be close for some reason, try alternating when each is turned on.

Using the in-room computer 

Using the wireless keyboard and mouse 

The in-room computer is a Dell desktop inside the AV cabinet, with a monitor on an adjustable arm atop the cabinet. 

As of February 2023, the computer is set up to use a wireless keyboard and mouse, which are both stored on the top shelf in the lectern. Each has a power switch: on the back right corner of the keyboard, and on the underside of the mouse. Once powered on, they should connect and be usable immediately.

Logging in 

The in-room computer should always be left on. To log in, press Ctrl-Alt-Del and use your OSU username and password. 

• If another user has forgotten to log out and the computer is locked, you can click the Switch User button in the lower left of the screen 
• Only Columbus-campus users within ASC can log in 
  • If your assignment is at another campus, or you are a guest from another college, it’s easiest to get somebody else to log in for you. 
  • If you’ll be using the room repeatedly as a guest, contact asctech@osu.edu to ask to be added to the ASC domain in the future.

Projecting from the in-room computer 

1. Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector.

2. Select the source “PC” on the wall panel for the in-room computer. 

3. Volume from the computer is controlled via the knob on the wall panel 

To temporarily blank the screen, use the A/V Mute button on the projector remote (all blue buttons, labeled “Epson Projector” at the bottom). That button is on the left side of the remote just below the directional pad, and is the only function you should use on this remote.

If you need to use a flash drive or other USB device, plug it into one of the USB ports on the monitor. 

There is a wireless presenter remote on the top shelf inside the lectern, which should work immediately upon being switched on.

Projecting from your own device

If you’re using your own device, we recommend that you set it on top of the AV cabinet or the lectern. 

1. Connect your device via HDMI or VGA to the side of the AV cabinet. 
   1. Both an HDMI and a VGA+audio cable are provided, on the middle shelf of the lectern. 
2. Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector. 
3. Select the source you are plugged into – HDMI or VGA – on the wall panel. 
4. Control in-room volume from your computer via the knob on the wall panel. 

The wireless presenter remote in the lectern will not work with your computer. If you need a presenter remote to advance your slides, please see the DMP in DE 324. 

To temporarily blank the screen, use the A/V Mute button on the projector remote (all blue buttons, labeled “Epson Projector” at the bottom). That button is on the left side of the remote just below the directional pad, and is the only function you should use on this remote.

Troubleshooting projection from your own device 

If your device is not projecting, 

• Is the Display Power light lit and not flashing? 
  • Push the Display Power button to turn on the projector 
• Are your device’s mirroring/projection settings correct? 
  • Windows: hold the Windows key and press P to bring up the presentation setting 
  • Mac: Go to System Preferences (System Settings beginning with macOS Ventura) and go to Displays

Limitations with using your own device 

If you do use your own device, you will not be able to use the in-room cameras/microphones—you will have to use the built-in camera and microphone on your computer, or use USB webcams and microphones available from the DMP.

Using the in-room cameras for hybrid meetings 

As of November 2022, 311 has two in-room cameras to use for hybrid meetings. We strongly recommend using Zoom as your videoconferencing platform in this space. Below are basic instructions for using the in-room equipment for a hybrid meeting:

Starting your meeting and choosing your camera

• Open Zoom and start your Zoom meeting

• There are two cameras in the room—one mounted above the computer cabinet, which points towards the audience, and one mounted in the middle of the room, next to the windows, which points towards the lectern. 

• When you go to select a camera in Zoom by clicking on the arrow next to “Stop Video,” you’ll see that both cameras have the same name: HuddleCamHD G2. The first HuddleCam listed is the one that points towards the audience, and the second HuddleCam listed points towards the podium. Click on the camera that you would like to use. 

  •  You can switch cameras during a meeting if you would like. 

  • If you are recording a Zoom meeting, you will only record video from whichever camera is selected at a given time.

Adjusting the cameras

The in-room cameras have pan/tilt/zoom functionality, which means they can be adjusted side-to-side and up-and-down, and can be zoomed in and out. 

The cameras are controlled via remote. The same remote is used for both cameras; simply point it toward the camera you wish to adjust. The remotes need good line-of-sight; for the speaker camera (mounted at mudroom) you will need to step toward the center of the room in order to get a response. 

Under no circumstances should you physically adjust the cameras. If there is a problem with the physical position of the camera, please contact DMP staff, or Mike or Wayne. 

Using Presets 
The cameras have the ability to recall presets, and we have pre-established a few. 

Speaker camera (mounted at midroom, pointed toward the projection screen) 
   Preset 1: shows the entire front of the room 
   Preset 2: zoomed in on the lectern 

Audience camera (mounted above the AV rack, pointed toward the kitchenette) 
   Preset 1: a wide shot of the back half of the room (preset 1)

To recall a preset 

Press the number of the preset that you would like, and then hit the Call button to recall that preset. So, for instance, if on the speaker camera you want to zoom in on the podium, you would press 2, then Call. (The relevant buttons are circled in the image to the right). Press each button firmly, and not too fast; the LED on the camera will blink as it receives each button signal.

To manually adjust 

If you need to further adjust the camera position, you can do so using the Pan and Tilt buttons (the directional pad, circled at right) and the Zoom controls (rocker switches above the directional pad; Zoom Slow is circled at right). 

A word of caution: the “Zoom Slow” controls are quite easy to use. However, the Pan and Tilt buttons are a bit touchy, and tend to go from not moving the camera very much at all to moving it quite fast. But if they do move really fast, don’t worry! You can always go back to a preset.

Selecting the in-room system as the audio device for your meeting 

Generally the in-room microphone and speakers are already pre-selected within Zoom. If you’re having trouble, though, these are the proper devices: 

Microphone: AV Bridge 
Speaker: Crestron 

In Zoom, you can check these selections by click the up-arrow next to the Mute/Unmute button (the microphone icon). The selections above should be checked; if not, select them from the list.

Projecting from a flash drive or information stored online using the in-room computer.

The computer is a Dell desktop in the lower part of the black cabinet. If you need to use a flash drive or other USB device, plug it into one of the USB ports on the desktop or on the monitor.

If you need a wireless presenter remote to advance your slides, please see the DMP.

• The in-room computer should always be on. If it’s not, you can turn it on from the desktop in the cabinet.
• Push “Display Power” on the wall panel to turn on the projector.
• Select the source “PC” on the wall panel for the in-room computer.

When leaving the room 

• Turn off all wireless devices and store them on the top shelf of the lectern 
• Log out of the in-room computer (Start button > Profile picture > Sign out) 
• Turn off the projector using “Display Power” on the wall panel.
• Make sure “Mic Mute” button is lit 
• Close all windows 
• Shut off all lights 
• Make sure all doors are closed

If you plan to (or would like to) use the new a/v in these spaces, I encourage you to check them out in advance in order to familiarize yourself (and to download/install AirMedia if you’re projecting wirelessly). When using the tech, if you have both in-person and remote attendees, please be mindful of both audiences and speak toward the soundbar and camera. Also be mindful of the fact that, just as in full-remote situations, cross-talk can be very difficult for remote attendees to follow, so do your best to take turns. When we tested out the equipment, we found that most of our difficulties using the space were attributed to first-time use, cross-talk across the physical room, etc. Finally, please remember to turn off the display via the wall panel, and turn off the wireless keyboard and mouse when they aren’t in use so we can preserve battery life. (The keyboard has a toggle switch on the back right, and the mouse on the underside.)

For assistance with the technology in the space, please contact ASCTech at 614-688-4447 / asctech@osu.edu.