Touring the campus—virtually or self-guided

If you haven't been back to campus in a while, Carolina's Visitor Center has just the thing—a virtual tour of the University will be available this fall on the Web.

For those who want to see the campus in person but at their own pace, the Visitor Center has also created an mp3 download that provides narration for a self-guided tour.

The initial version of the virtual tour will feature images of campus buildings, people, and programs with accompanying text; later versions likely will include video and audio narration. The mp3 tour will be downloadable from the Web this fall and will feature audio narration that visitors can use with an iPod or other mp3 player as a guide for a walking tour of campus. Both tours will also offer a downloadable map of the campus.

“Creating alternatives for learning more about Carolina is an important dimension of our work,” said Denise Wellman, director of the Visitor Center. “The Web is an important source of information for anyone wanting to know more about our campus, and the virtual tour is simply the means to do this. We are also taking advantage of this generation's fascination with iPods and mp3 players and through this technology can bring our student and faculty voices to a host of virtual visitors, especially those engaged in the college search process.”

Of course, if you want the real thing—a walking tour with a student guide—that's available, too. And just like the virtual tour and mp3 tour, it won't cost a thing. Just call the Visitor Center for reservations at 800-922-9755, 803-777-0169, or go to the Visitor Center Web site.