Teleconferencing Services

This page contains information about teleconferencing and setting up conference calls.

CITES offers two types of conference calls: station-controlled and operator-assisted. Station-controlled conference calls can be initiated on most single-line or multi-line phones, require no outside intervention, and accrue no setup costs. Operator-assisted conferences, as the name suggests, are arranged by a campus telephone operator. Fees for these calls are based on the length of the call and the number of participants involved.

Station-controlled conference calls

Three-way conferences

  1. Establish the first call as usual.
  2. Depress the switchhook* momentarily and listen for a stuttered dial tone.
  3. Dial a second party.
  4. Depress the switchhook* again.
  5. Repeat for third party.
  6. All parties are connected.

(Up to) six-party conferences

  1. Establish the first call as usual.
  2. Depress the switchhook* momentarily and listen for stuttered dial tone.
  3. Dial the conference code 130.
  4. Depress the switchhook* again and listen for stuttered dial tone.
  5. Dial the next number.
  6. After the party answers, acknowledge and depress the switchhook* again to access stuttered dial tone.
  7. Dial conference code 130.
  8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each additional party.

*Note: Many newer phones are equipped with a tap, flash, or link button, which should be pressed instead of the switchhook.

To delete a conferee, or if a busy station is reached

  1. Press the switchhook once momentarily.
  2. Listen for the recall dial tone.
  3. Dial the conference code 131.
  4. Dial the conference code 130. You are again added to the conference.

Operator-assisted conference calls

Operator-arranged conferences can accommodate up to 29 participants; while meet-me conferences can accommodate up to 59 participants. Participants may be on or off campus. The use of either service must be arranged with the Chief Operator at 333-0133.

The Chief Operator requires the following information to arrange conferences:

Operator arranged conferences

These services are much like the conference services offered through AT&T and other long-distance carriers: a campus operator contacts each party and conferences them together through the campus phone system.

For more information, contact the campus Chief Operator at 333-0133.

Meet-me conferences

With this service, participants simply call a special conference telephone number at a prearranged time, and the phone system automatically connects all participants. A campus operator controls access to the conference circuits to ensure availability and privacy. Caller-paid or toll-free (long-distance charges paid by the host department) options are available with this service.

Charges

The cost of each service is based on the time reserved for each conference, not the number of participants. For operator-arranged conferences, an additional charge applies for each long-distance call placed.

These rates usually represent a significant discount over other teleconference services. For example:

Operator-arranged conferences, 1 - 29 participants

$30.00 for the first half-hour reserved and $7.00 for each additional 15-minute interval reserved. Long-distance charges (if any) are an additional $.07 per minute/per participant.

Meet-me conferences (caller paid), 1 - 29 participants

$20.00 for the first half-hour reserved and $7.00 for each additional 15-minute interval reserved.

Meet-me conferences (caller paid), 30 - 59 participants

$30.00 for the first half-hour reserved and $7.00 for each additional 15-minute interval reserved.

Meet-me conferences (toll free), 1 - 29 participants

$20.00 for the first half-hour reserved and $7.00 for each additional 15-minute interval reserved. Plus 800 number charges of $.07 per minute/per participant.

Meet-me conferences (toll free), 30 - 59 participants

$30.00 for the first half-hour reserved and $7.00 for each additional 15-minute interval reserved. Plus 800 number charges of $.07 per minute/per participant.