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SLU Opens New Virtual Reality Space on Campus

12/06/2019

As it continues to invest in tools to provide students with a cutting edge education, Saint Louis University, with generous support from its Student Government Association (SGA) Technology Committee, is opening a dedicated Virtual Reality (VR) Room in the Pius Library XII Memorial Library.

A student tries virtual reality technology.

A student tries out virtual reality technology in SLU's new Virtual Reality Room in the Pius XII Memorial Library. Submitted photo

SLU’s VR Room is one of the first spaces of its kind in the St. Louis area, is the first public VR space on campus and will provide students, faculty and staff with opportunities to explore the academic and recreational aspects of virtual reality technology.

Spurred by student interest and faculty research, the SGA Technology Committee, Information Technology Services (ITS) and the University Libraries partnered to bring the technology to campus and to develop a space for virtual reality exploration.

“The new Virtual Reality room not only offers students an opportunity for recreation, but also gives faculty an opportunity for augmented virtual reality learning by using the equipment,” sophomore Michael Cleary, chair of the SGA Technology Committee, said.

The room features an HTC Vive Pro headset and hand controllers, a computer with several VR programs and a large-screen monitor that displays what the headset user is seeing in real time. ITS, the SGA and University Libraries are exploring adding more virtual reality technologies to the space in the future.

SLU's New Virtual Reality Resources
  • Abbot’s Book Demo
  • Beat Saber
  • Blocks
  • The Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell
  • Bowling at the Lake
  • The Cable Center
  • Colosse
  • The Cubicle
  • Destinations
  • Discovr Egypt: King Tut’s Tomb
  • The Enlightened League of Bone Builders and the Osseous Enigma Content
  • Eye of the Owl
  • Fantastic Contraption
  • Felt Tip Circus
  • The FOO Show
  • Funfair
  • The Gallery
  • GE Neuro Google Earth VR
  • Gravity Lab
  • HALPI
  • InCell VR
  • InMind VR
  • Irrational Exuberance
  • Job Simulator
  • Jonah’s Path
  • The Lab
  • Lifeliqe VR Museum
  • Metaverse Construction Kit
  • The Night Café
  • NVIDIA VR Funhouse
  • PITCH-HIT: Demo
  • PolyDome
  • Pumpkin SculptrVR
  • Rail Adventures
  • Realities
  • Rexodus
  • The Rose and I
  • Rubber Ball VR
  • Skeet: VR Target Shooting
  • Tesla VR
  • theBlu
  • Tilt Brush
  • Trials on Tatooine
  • Universe Sandbox
  • Vintage VR
  • VR Museum of Fine Art
  • VR Regatta
  • Wake Up
  • Wave
  • Zombie Training Simulator

The new VR room, as well as two Pius library study rooms renovated through the partnership, is part of on-going efforts by the University to provide students with the latest technology to further their academic and personal development on campus.

In 2017, SLU opened its new 14,000 Academic Technology Commons (ATC) in the Pius Library, giving students, faculty and staff members access to 3D printers, 360 cameras, podcast and recording equipment and hologram technology.

Work continues on SLU’s new $50 million state-of-the-art Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) Building, with the University celebrating a critical construction milestone on Friday, Dec. 6, at the ISE Building’s topping-off. The new building, which will house research and classroom space, is slated to open in 2020.

“ITS looks forward to opportunities like this to collaborate with our students and Library partners to create innovative spaces that give our students, faculty, and staff access to new and cutting edge technologies,” Kyle Collins, assistant vice president for technology transformation, said. “Successful projects like these raise SLU’s reputation as a leader in innovation and build excitement about the possibilities for the impact of technology to support the academic, research and clinical missions of the University.”

How to Use SLU’s Virtual Reality Resources

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of now more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.

Story by Amelia Flood, University Marketing and Communications