Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based communications system that supports phone functionality, video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, and more. Instructors can set up Zoom meetings to conduct classes online, or to support virtual office hours. Zoom is fully licensed for use by WNE faculty, staff, and students. 

Zoom has a very complete online Help Center, which includes live training.

Zoom Video Conferencing

Zoom Retention Policy

Zoom is a web conferencing service available to all current University faculty, students, and staff. By design, Zoomcloud storage is intended for temporary, non-archival storage. The intent is to provide access to recordings for the review of meeting attendees or for the active academic term. All Zoom recordings will be retained for 365 days. After 365 days, recordings will be deleted permanently. 

• Zoom Retention Policy

Zoom for Participants

A participant is someone who attends a Zoom meeting without any special hosting privileges, for example, a student attending an online class meeting or a staff member attending a department meeting. Participants do not need Zoom accounts to attend most meetings. 

• Zoom Participant Quick Guide (PDF) 
• Joining a Meeting (Official Zoom video)
• Configuring Audio and Video (Official Zoom video)
• Test your computer and Internet connection using this test meeting!
• How to participate in a breakout room
• Selected troubleshooting tips from Zoom Support
  • My video is freezing, the audio is poor, and/or I keep getting disconnected.
  • I get a "Your connection is unstable" warning
  • My webcam isn't working.
  • I can't hear and/or I can't be heard.
  • There's background noise or an echo effect.

Zoom for Hosts

In Zoom, the host is the person who scheduled the meeting. The host owns the meeting and has complete control of all functions and features in the meeting. Hosting a meeting requires a Zoom account, which is available to all members of the Western New England University community including faculty, staff, and students.

• How to activate your Zoom account (PDF)
• Zoom Quick Guide for Faculty (PDF)
• Zoom Basics: an overview for hosts (PDF)
• VIDEO: Zoom Basics Webinar (as presented by WNE's Sharon Benoit)
• How to download a Zoom cloud recording (PDF)
• Selected resources from Zoom Support
  • How to enable breakout rooms
  • How to participate in a breakout room
  • Managing breakout rooms
  • Pre-assign participants to a breakout room
  • Managing Cloud Recordings
  • Automatically Transcribe Cloud Recordings
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Recordings

Zoom Phones

• The University uses a cloud-based communications system called Zoom for phone services.
• Most employees do not have traditional desk phones, but instead use Zoom Desktop Software on their computers and/or mobile apps on their cell phones to make and receive calls.
• Visit for more information and instructions on using Zoom phone services
• WNE's online phone directory is easily accessible on our website.