"Eye on A&M International" Offers Webcam View of Phase III Expansion

Visitors to Texas A&M International University's web site now have a chance to peek into the future of the 300-acre campus.

That's because "Eye on A&M International," an internet camera, affords a real-time view of the ongoing construction of the University's Phase III expansion.

A&M International president Dr. Charles Jennett said the innovation is an ideal way for both Laredoans and alumni far from home to monitor the growth of Texas' fastest growing University.

"We felt it was a great way to use the technology available to us to provide a snapshot of what is an impressive expansion project. The image is updated every 60 seconds and captures the progress of both our Student Development Center and our Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. The project's supervisors and our facilities management contacts in College Station can check in on progress without being on campus. Most importantly, no matter how far or near our alumni are to the campus, they can watch their alma mater grow," Dr. Jennett explained.

In addition to the Student Development Center and Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, the $49.5 million project also includes athletic fields and courts, parking infrastructure and a Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. The majority of Phase III is scheduled for a Fall 2001 completion.

Lakshmana Viswanath, director of computer and telecommunications services, said "Eye on A&M International" can be readily accessed by the University's home page visitors.

"This link will be easily accessed by anyone with a computer with internet access capability without need for any specialized software. A link is available from the main page. We hope to have additional cameras in the near future to capture the tremendous expanse of Phase III construction, " Viswanath explained.

This is the second innovation of its kind to the University's popular WWW site, he said.

"We also have available a virtual tour of campus building exteriors as viewed from the central campus plaza. This incorporates both Phase I and most of Phase II and can be accessed by anyone having Real Video or Quick Time 4.0. If the visitor doesn't have these applications available, they are available from an on-site download, " he said.

The University's web site is located at http://www.tamiu.edu. To access "Eye on A&M International" click on the corresponding entry on the right of the display. To access the virtual tour, click on "University Virtual Tour."

For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.3180.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu