By SINA MATTHES
sina@du2.byu.edu
It is only 2 years old, but it is already beginning to expand and grow as it gives users a state-of-the-art way to experience BYU.
The Virtual Banyan began as an idea by a student who wondered why BYU didn't have a yearbook. (The print version of the Banyan was put to rest in 1984.) It is now a news yearbook created by editors who gather video clips from NewsNet stories and photos from The Daily Universe. The video clips, stories and photos are compiled into a CD-ROM virtual yearbook.
'We compile statistics and information on performing arts, academics, sports -- anything that would make a visually interesting yearbook for a CD-ROM format,' said Megan Elison, associate editor of Virtual Banyan.
The yearbook does not incorporate individual pictures of students because of the amount of students that are at the university. The university does not have the resources to take pictures of each student, Elison said.
The virtual yearbook has seven major sections, said Mike Southworth, editor of the Banyan. He said the seven sections try to incorporate the important aspects of BYU.
Sports, general information, performing arts, Devotional/Forums, Daily Universe articles, colleges/departments and club activities are the sections covered in the yearbook.
'The sports section covers highlights and newsworthy events associated with BYU athletics. The Devotional/Forum section contains a video segment summary of each Devotional/Forum. Every article published by the Daily Universe is included. And in the college/department section, rankings and recognition of students and faculty are listed as well as an audio message from the dean of each college,' Southworth said.
The highlight of the yearbook is the updated campus tour.
'The tour is a 360-degree virtual reality tour of locations on campus. It contains the history of the buildings on campus and updated photos of the construction,' Southworth said.
The team of three editors, which put together the Virtual Banyan, have only been working on this year's yearbook for four months, but they said they are already planning its expansion and growth.
'We didn't know how to do it, but we've taken our own perspective and added our own changes,' said Emmy Southworth, associate editor. 'With video you can have a virtual reality instead of a stagnant view of black and white photos,' she said.
The Virtual Banyan, still in its beginning stages, has not made a profit yet, but Mike Southworth said he expects that to change with innovative marketing and advertising.