Zoom
Online Conferencing and Collaboration
Zoom is a best-in-class online communication and collaboration tool that provides video conferencing, web conferencing, and audio conferencing (both device-based and phone), as well as audio/video/sharing, all with an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface.
Meet and collaborate virtually using Zoom by logging in with your university credentials. All active faculty, staff and students are licensed for Zoom Meetings up to 300 participants at no cost.
Zoom Webinar licenses are available - pricing information is available on the OIT Billing and Rates webpage. Contact the OIT Service Desk to request a license for up to 3,000 webinar participants.
Get Started
University Zoom Login
Zoom Help Center
Stay Secure
The university's Zoom encryption is configured for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance; however, be sure to use caution with sensitive information. To ensure the security and privacy of patient data, Zoom users must do their part as well.
The university has a systemwide HIPAA agreement with Zoom which has allowed OIT to enable some previously disabled features including:
- Record to the Zoom cloud for convenient sharing and storage (cloud recording storage is now available for 120 days) - more information is available from Zoom Cloud Recording
- Meeting participant / class attendance reports available - more information is available from Zoom Reports
- Chat copy and paste enabled - more information available from Saving in-meeting chat
Prevent Zoombombing
Uninvited participants harassing students, faculty and staff during classes and meetings has been on the rise recently. It is very important to follow Zoom’s security best practices. One of the most basic rules is to never share Zoom meeting links on social media, the internet, or any public place. More information about Zoombombing is available from the School of Education and Human Development's Learning Design and Technology webpage. In addition, you can review the Zoom and Cybersecurity Must-Knows.
Training and Resources
Getting started
- Getting started on Windows and Mac
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to install on Mac
- Meeting passcodes
- Zoom default meeting settings and recommendations
- Audio, Video, Sharing
- Managing your Zoom recording
- Zoom meeting creation - no recurrence
- How to book a webinar in EMS
- Checking for Zoom updates
- Changing Zoom settings in the desktop client or mobile app (select a desktop client or mobile app for additional information)
- Zoom screen - share a video
- How to test your microphone
- How to test your webcam
- Adding Zoom pronouns
Managing participants
- Manage participants overview and managing participants - Zoom meeting controls
- Muting and unmuting participants in a meeting
Join before host
- Enabling and adding a co-host
Polling for meetings
Managing chat
- Using in-meeting chat (click on the icon of the device you are using for detailed instructions)
- Personal note for your chat profile
- Mark a chat message as unread
- Using chat announcements
- Using your chat personal space
- Save in-meeting chat
- Using chat mentioned and slash commands
- Archiving chat messages using cloud storage
- Advanced chat encryption
Breakout rooms
Meetings versus Webinars
The Meeting and Webinar platforms offer similar features and functionality but have some key differences.
- Meetings are for collaborative events with all participants being able to screen share, turn on their video and audio, and see who else is in attendance.
- Webinars are designed so that the host and any designated panelists can share their video, audio and screen with view-only attendees. Attendees have the ability to interact via Q&A, chat, and answering polling questions. The host can also un-mute the attendees. The Zoom Webinar feature is available by subscription only.
More information about the options are available here and additional Zoom descriptions are here.
Tips For Meeting Attendees
- Mute your microphone. To help keep background noise to a minimum, make sure you mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
- Be mindful of background noise. When your microphone is not muted, avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as shuffling papers.
- Position your camera properly. If you choose to use a web camera, be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Doing so helps create a more direct sense of engagement with other participants. Lighting should be bright and even.
- Limit distractions. You can make it easier to focus on the meeting by turning off notifications, closing or minimizing running apps, and muting your smartphone.
- Avoid multi-tasking.
- Prepare materials in advance.
- If you will be sharing content during the meeting, make sure you have the files and/or links ready to go before the meeting begins.
Don't Make Private Meetings Public
Distribute your Zoom meeting link only to those individuals who will be attending your class or meeting. Don't share your meeting link on social media or other public platforms - anyone who sees the link will be able to join your meeting unless you set a password for your meeting and share that privately with attendees.