CSUN officials, for the first time ever, will broadcast five of its eight commencement ceremonies live over the Internet. The address is www.csun.edu/commencement/video.htm.

"We want to provide an opportunity for extended family and friends of those graduating a chance to witness such an important event in our students' lives," said Spero Bowman, associate vice president for academic resources and chief information officer for the university.

Unfortunately, university officials said, technical issues currently limit their ability to broadcast the commencement ceremonies to those taking place near the Oviatt Library, which serves as the center for much of CSUN's broadcasting and Internet technology. The other three ceremonies take place several blocks across campus at the University Club.

Those ceremonies available for viewing are:

• Wednesday, May 28:
  • 8 a.m. -- the College of Arts, Media and Communication
  • 6:30 p.m. -- the College of Health and Human Development
• Thursday, May 29:
  • 8 a.m. -- the College of Business and Economics
  • 6:30 p.m. -- the College of Humanities
• Friday, May 30:
  • 8 a.m. -- the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Archives of the ceremonies will be available for viewing about two hours after the live broadcast.

To see the live webcasts and videos, viewers' computers will need Microsoft Windows Media Player. System requirements and downloads are available at the Web site www.csun.edu/commencement/video.htm.