Academic Technology Center partnership benefits many Students lead the way for crosswalk safety University looks at expanding use of Illinois coal Trip focuses attention on historical wealth of region Commencement speakers honor 2002 graduates Museum exhibit highlights Cache River beauty Pulitzer Prize-winning Russo has interesting history at SIUC Department honors Neckers during his centennial year Tight job market awaits this year's graduates Computer science major top student employee Camps provide opportunities for summer fun Academic promotions go to 28 faculty members Former liberal arts dean Light dead at 80   Ask Southern Windows Campus Concerns Happenings Notices The Retirees Salutes Transitions CAMPUS CALENDAR CURRENT NEWS RELEASES

Voice-recognition software added to telephone system Starting this month, a speech-enabled, automated directory search will greet callers who dial into the University's main switchboard. The caller speaks the name of a department or person and is directed to the correct number. If multiple similar names exist, choices will be offered to narrow the search. And, according to David R. Bouhl, deputy director of Information Technology-Telecommunication Services, if the system cannot understand the name, it will request a spelling of the name. "We can even go in and change the pronunciation if it is wrong," he said. With the implementation of the speech-recognition equipment, the University is able to provide assistance and information to callers after normal University hours, which are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During normal office hours, callers are still able to access the campus operators if the speech-recognition system cannot handle the caller's request. "If a person needs campus information, they can be transferred directly to the Information Station (in the Student Center) during their open hours," Bouhl said. At first, the recognition system will include all faculty, staff, University departments and students in campus housing. Bouhl said the system could later be expanded to include advertisers or services as well. "You could say 'pizza,' and it would respond with the names of pizza businesses that have paid a fee to be listed and then transfer the call directly to their establishment," he said. Phonetic Systems, one of the leading developers of voice-driven information retrieval systems, was the successful bidder for the equipment. The speech-enabled automated directory product is scalable to support more than a million records in a single database and uses sophisticated technology that allows it to perform searches of large databases based upon independent voice input via the telephone. - Michelle Cunningham May 1, 2002