Communications Facilities & Equipment
KSUU - Thunder 91
The University's radio station, with studios located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center. Thunder 91 is licensed to transmit 10,000 watts of effective radiated power to Cedar City and the surrounding area. KSUU is a teaching tool of the Communication Department in educating students through practice of skills necessary to enter the professional ranks of broadcasting. KSUU was the first licensed FM radio station in the Cedar City area and has been operating for more than 50 years.
Both on-air and production studios utilize the state of the industry hardware and software found in the commercial broadcasting environment. Students take advantage of Adobe Audition digital audio editing software in creating promotional messages that air on the station. Thunder 91 programs a full schedule of Alternative Rock music utilizing Music Master scheduling software, teaching students the music scheduling principles found industry-wide. The station streams online.
Public Speaking Center
The Public Speaking Center is designed to assist students, faculty, and staff in improving their abilities to write and present speeches. The center is staffed by SUU students who provide these services. Set an appointment by either booking online, calling, emailing, or dropping by during our hours.
SUUTV
SUUTV is the University's cable TV station, with studios located in the America First Event Center. SUUTV operates 24 hours per day on the Cedar City cable system (TDS). It is another teaching tool of the SUU Communication Department. Students train on the latest digital video equipment and electronic newsroom systems. Television students also assist with video recording of SUU athletics, concerts and other events giving them real-world experience.
SUUTV affiliates with the Classic Arts Showcase which is a classical MTV-like service. Local programming including newscasts (fall and spring semesters), rebroadcasts of various university and community events, concerts and other public interest programs occupy the programming schedule. In addition to broadcasting on the cable system, several of the programs including the news and selected SUU athletic events are webcast.
Social Brand Lab
The Social Brand Lab is a dynamic, hands-on learning space designed for SUU’s strategic communication majors. More than just a classroom, it simulates a modern creative workspace where students can collaborate, experiment, and build real world skills for careers in social media, public relations, and advertising. The lab is equipped with content creation tools such as ring lights, microphones, and camera stabilizers, empowering students to practice everything from brand creation to social media management. With the social brand lab students gain practical experience in a setting that mirrors today’s media and marketing environments. With its flexible layout, the Social Brand Lab fosters innovation, teamwork, and professional readiness.
SUU News
SUU News, the student-led media outlet that includes the University Journal and SUUNews.net, is dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering the Southern Utah University community through bold, ethical journalism. The University Journal is published five times over the fall and spring semesters, while SUUNews.net is updated daily with breaking stories and campus highlights. The newsroom is in room 209 of the America First Event Center, right at the heart of the action where athletic events, concerts and campus gatherings come to life. SUU News invites you to peek through the big windows to see student journalists in action: collaborating on stories, editing photos and staying on top of the latest headlines displayed across multiple screens. The space features a high-tech environment equipped with professional tools and real-time news feeds, creating a dynamic and collaborative setting where students grow as storytellers, communicators and leaders while documenting the culture and perspectives of SUU.
Visual Communication Research Lab
The Visual Communication Research Lab contains three subsections: Virtual Reality Studio: When studying eye tracking inside a VR environment, researchers and students are able to leverage the benefits of both eye tracking technology and virtual reality. By using a VR eye tracker headset, VR suit, and VR treadmill, researchers are able to design and conduct visual experiments with both visual and haptic stimuli. Screen Eye Tracker Room: This subsection has two screen eye tracking systems for tracking and analyzing individuals’ eye movements on the screen. It is mainly used for conducting research on consumer behaviors, message design, and visual branding effects. Observation Room: For limiting the distractions between experimental participants and researchers, this subsection is used for researchers to give orders and instructions to both the Virtual Reality Studio and Screen Eye Tracker Room. With multiple high-end computers, data analysis software, VR cameras, and visual design software, this subsection allows researchers to develop experimental stimuli, create VR environments, and analyze statistical data. Researchers are able to monitor and observe both Virtual Reality Studio and Screen Eye Tracker Room through one-way glass windows.