Sony will donate twelve DCR-TRV38 MiniDV Handycam® camcorders. The camcorders deliver megapixel resolution with a larger-than- usual 3.5-inch SwivelScreen
The gift is part of Sony's active philanthropy program in San Diego County, where the company employs more than 2,000 people. Sony USA Foundation allocates funds annually to support local San Diego institutions, and Sony employees on a volunteer committee vote on specific donations. "Education is our main priority," said Irene Balli-Dumas, Director of Government, Media and Public Relations, who also sits on the committee. "Fifty percent of all our philanthropy in San Diego goes to support education, and given the mandates of both Sixth College and Cal-(IT)²'s Education group, this donation was a perfect fit for Sony."
Sixth College will deploy the donated camcorders in its newly-furnished Digital Playroom, a multimedia facility used by students as part of the college's ongoing commitment to Culture/Art/Technology. "The cameras will enable us to undertake some innovative film-making courses with students, and are a much higher grade than our students would normally get to use," said Wienhausen. "In order to make the Sixth College Digital Playroom really successful for our students, we rely on partnerships such as this with Sony."
Sony has a long history of philanthropy benefiting UCSD programs, and is an industry partner of Cal-(IT)² as well as a member of the Corporate Affiliates Program (CAP) of the Jacobs School of Engineering.
Sony's gift contributes to the $1 billion fund-raising goal of The Campaign for UCSD: Imagine What's Next, which was publicly launched on March 15, 2003. Campaign priorities include supporting students and faculty through scholarships, fellowships and endowed chairs; creating and expanding academic programs; funding research endeavors and health sciences advancements; and providing innovation funds and unrestricted support. The campaign total is $496.5 million as of September 8, 2003 and is scheduled to conclude in June 2007.