Conference Calling Options

Please click the link below to learn more about scheduling a conference call

NOTE: Never send or tell us your PSU long-distance authorization code.  A long-distance authorization code is a password and needs to be kept confidential.  Please view the PSU campus authorization code policy here.  If we need to bill charges against your index, we are able to look up your billing information by your name and index code number.

NTS can arrange a conference call in one of three ways:

 

	Number of maximum participants (including host)	Times Available	Cost to Department	Long Distance Charges	Call Recording Available?	Special Instructions
Meet-Me Conference Calls	6	Anytime	Free	Paid by Participants of Call	No	Once participant of call MUST be on PSU's campus
PSU Operator Hosted Conference Calls	5	Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm	$10	Paid through long distance authorization code of department's choice	No	One participant of call MUST be on PSU's campus
Vendor Originated Conference Calls	125+	Anytime	$0.049 PER participant PER minute	Toll Free Number provided, cost of long distance included in $0.049/minute cost	Yes	none

 

• Meet-Me Conferencing: This type of conference call will provide you with a dedicated call-in number for your conference.  The number provided will be local to Portland and will be in the following format: (503) 725-xxxx. This type of conference call is free for your department and does not require a long-distance authorization code.  If any of the participants are calling long-distance to Portland, they will be responsible for their own long-distance charges. This type of conference call is limited to a total of 6 participants including the host and does not require any participants or the host to be on campus. To schedule a ‘Meet-Me’ Conference call, please send an email to nts-requests@pdx.edu with the details of your conference call including the date, time, total number of participants and contact information for the host (name, email, phone).

Please note, do not send us your long-distance authorization code when you schedule this call.  A long-distance authorization code is a password and needs to be kept confidential. Click here for more information on long distance authorization codes.

A department may also order a private Meet-Me conference line for exclusive use by the department; however, there is a recurring monthly charge for this option.  Please contact NTS for a quote if you are interested in this private service.

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• PSU Operator Hosted Conference Call: If there are 5 or less participants (including the on-campus host), a PSU operator can perform the call. The PSU Operator calls each participant and joins them to the call.  A one-time charge of $10 will be applied to your index for this service, plus all applicable long-distance charges.  A PSU operator-assisted conference call must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the call.  If you attempt to schedule this type of service with less than 24 hours notice, our office cannot guarantee that we will have an operator available to perform the calling.  If you have to cancel, please let us know at least one (1) hour in advance; if the call is cancelled and we are not notified (or notified with less than one hour of notice), your index code will still be charged the $10 fee.  Please note, PSU Operator Assisted Conference Calls can only be performed from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

An important caveat:  If a participant does not pick up the phone when the PSU Operator calls, we will make two more attempts to reach them before informing the host that the participant cannot be reached.  Once our operator joins all other participants for the call and drops off the call, the no-show participant cannot be joined to the call.  If you anticipate that some participants will not be available at the scheduled time, we suggest you consider another type of conference call like the Meet-Me or hosted options.

To initiate a PSU Operator Assisted Conference Call, please click the link below:
PSU Hosted Conference Calls

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• Vendor Originated Conference Services: If there are more than 6 participants, or you would like a toll-free dial-in number for your conference call, NTS can schedule a hosted conference call with an outside vendor. These types of calls can handle up to 125 participants.   All charges, including long-distance, are billed to your index.  If you select this type of conference call, your index code will be billed a maximum of $0.049 per minute, per participant.  Please check with us for current rates and schedule at least 24 hours in advance of the call.  Outside vendors require that you cancel any scheduled conference call at least 30 minutes in advance to avoid ‘no show’ charges.  To initiate a hosted Conference Call, please click the link below:
  Vendor Originated Conference Call
  Please note this service can supply a toll free number that is only reachable from the US and Canada.  If your conference member is calling in from overseas, they will have to dial the direct line into the call (it will be supplied) and they will be responsible for all applicable long distance charges.

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• Audio conference calls you perform from your phone:

There are a couple of ways you can perform a conference call from your office phone

• 3-way calling: This type of call can be done from any phone on campus. To perform a 3-way call, obtain a dial tone and call the first participant. Once you have them on the phone, press the "flash" or "conf" button (if you don't have a flash or conf button you can press the switch-hook) and dial the next participant. Once they are on the phone, press the "flash" or "conf" button again. You will then be talking to both people. You will incur any long distance charges used. A single-line phone can only connect three people
• Multi-line Conference Calling: If you or someone in the office has a "Multi-line" telephone (8434 or 8410) then you can connect up to 6 people (including yourself). To perform a conference call, obtain a dial tone and call the first participant. Once you have them on the phone, press the "flash" or "conf" button (if you don't have a flash or conf button you can press the switch-hook) and dial the next participant. Once they are on the phone, press the "flash" or "conf" button again. You will then be talking to both people. Continue these steps until up to six participants (including yourself) are connected.

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• Speakerphone Reservations:

Please be aware, Networking and Telecom Services holds a limited number of specialized conference calling units for use within the University. We have a limited number of these units, so availability is limited.  In order to ensure that you will be able to procure one of these units, please reserve it at least 24 hours in advance by sending an email request to nts-requests@pdx.edu.  These units can be picked up in the NTS office any time between 8am and 5pm; please be sure to bring a piece of ID and the PSU Index Code for your department when you come to pick the item up.

These units can be borrowed for a maximum of three (3) days.  If we do not receive the unit back three days after it was taken out, we will charge your departmental index $600 to replace the item.  If the unit is returned after this charge has been billed, we will remove the item from
the bill; however, we will charge your department a $10 service fee for this activity.  If the item is returned on time, your department will not be charged any fee for the usage.

Our department also carries extension cords and microphone pods (for conferences in extra large conference rooms, the microphones on the unit are more than sensitive enough for a normal or large size room) for these units.  If you would like to reserve any extra cords or microphones for the unit, please include that request with your conference call phone request.  Please note, failure to return ANY of the borrowed components (i.e. cords, microphones, bags, etc.) will result in your department being charged the full fee (with service charges if the item is returned late).

You can direct any questions regarding these units to Networking and Telecom Services at 5-4434.

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• Video Conferences:

  Faculty and staff may schedule a video teleconference using Polycom videoconferencing equipment. This equipment allows you to participate both visually and orally in meetings, conferences and seminars at distant locations with no travel required. Telecommunications should be contacted at least two weeks in advance to schedule the equipment as well as an appropriate site. The OUS video conference bridge, located in Corvallis, allows you to connect up to eight separate locations in the same conference. Contact the Telecommunications Office, ext. 5-4434, Room 84, in the Fourth Ave Building for further information on obtaining any of the above services or equipment