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.
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:
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.
Getting started
Managing participants
Join before host
Polling for meetings
Managing chat
Breakout rooms
Meetings versus Webinars
The Meeting and Webinar platforms offer similar features and functionality but have some key differences.
More information about the options are available here and additional Zoom descriptions are here.
Tips For Meeting Attendees
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.