The Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) department celebrated the re-opening of the Digital Video Editing Lab Thursday afternoon. All of the chairs in the Art and Creative Arts Departments gathered around the entrance to the editing lab to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The BECA Department Chair, Scott Patterson and Interim Dean of College, Ronald Compesi, cut the purple and gold ribbon to open the new lab.

“I wanted this ceremony to recognize all of the hard work put in by the CATS to make our editing lab the most state of the art facility within the CSU system,” said Compesi.

According to Patterson, the editing lab was closed over the summer to allow the Creative Arts of Technical Service Team to re-install new computers and technology. The new equipment will make editing for the students in the department easier without the inconvenience of old equipment not working.

“We used to have old and new computers in here, but now we have all new computers which will put responsibilities fully on the student,” said John Hewitt, a professor for Documentary Production and Advanced Video Production. “The students won’t be allowed to blame the old equipment for their work being incomplete or not up to par, they’ll have to walk the walk and talk the talk.”

According to Patterson, students who were enrolled to take editing classes over the summer were able to keep their curriculum by using the SF State downtown campus’ college lab. 175 Apple computers with 24-inch flat screen monitors were provided for SF State's electronic and media programs.

The Creative Arts department received 71 new computers, the Cinema department received 73 and the College of Creative Arts at the downtown campus received 20-25 computers. All computers come with the Final Cut Pro Studios program installed on them and will allow students to blow up projects into High Definition. The old computers will be distributed throughout the campus.

“The re-installment of computers were a part of the Entertainment Industry Initiative, which will foster future collaboration between the CSU schools and entertainment industries,” said Patterson.