Zoom

What This Service Is

Zoom is one of Bowdoin's two supported web-conferencing platforms, used for meetings, classes, office hours, and large events. Faculty are licensed automatically. Staff and students receive a Basic account that limits meetings they host to 40 minutes; longer meetings, larger meetings, and webinars are available on request.

For most everyday meetings — especially ones you want to record — Microsoft Teams is often the simpler choice, with no meeting-length limit for anyone and recordings stored in your OneDrive. Use this service when Zoom is specifically the right tool for your need.

Who It's For

  • Faculty — already have a full Zoom Pro license; no request needed.
  • Staff — have a 40-minute Basic account and may request a Pro license to host longer meetings.
  • Students — have a 40-minute Basic account (local recording only) and may request temporary access for a specific need.

How to Get Started or Get Help

Choose the request that matches what you need:

  • To host meetings longer than 40 minutes, use Request a Zoom Pro license.
  • To host an interactive meeting of up to 500 people, use Request a Zoom Large Meeting license.
  • To host a large, presentation-style event with a view-only audience, use Request a Zoom Webinar license.
  • If something isn't working — audio, video, screen sharing, recording, or sign-in — use Report a Zoom problem.
  • To get help using Zoom or Teams in a classroom or lab, use Request a consult for using Microsoft Teams or Zoom in a classroom or lab. (coming soon)

Not What You're Looking For?

  • Want no meeting-length limit without requesting a license? Consider Microsoft Teams in the Related Services section.
  • Looking for Teams phone or calling features? See Office Telephones or Teams Phones under Telephone, TV, & Virtual Meetings.
  • Need help setting up video in a specific classroom or event space? Use the classroom consult under Classrooms, Conference Rooms, & Meeting Spaces.
  • Just want to learn how a Zoom feature works? See the Zoom articles in the Related Articles section for step-by-step guides.

Service Promise

License requests are handled in the order received. Staff Pro requests are typically applied automatically within 2 business days when a license is available. Student and webinar requests require review and may take longer, and are subject to license availability. For urgent issues during business hours, contact the Service Desk at (207) 725-3030 or servicedesk@bowdoin.edu.

Provided By

This service is provided by IT Client Services & Technology. For urgent help during business hours, contact the Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.

 
Request a Zoom Pro license Request a Zoom Large Meeting license Request a Zoom Webinar license Report a Zoom problem

Related Articles (5)

About Zoom at Bowdoin
An overview of Zoom at Bowdoin — what it is, who can use it, how licensing works for faculty, staff, and students, when to consider Microsoft Teams instead, and what IT support is available.
Choosing Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams
Helps faculty, staff, and students decide whether to use Microsoft Teams or Zoom for a meeting or event at Bowdoin. Covers meeting length limits, recording and storage, internal vs. external attendees, large events and webinars, and a side-by-side comparison.
Compare Zoom Features: Desktop App, Web, and iPad
A feature comparison table for the Zoom desktop app (Windows and macOS), the iPad and iOS app, and the Zoom web client, covering meeting controls, host tools, security, screen sharing, chat, and settings.
Host a Zoom Webinar
How to request a Zoom webinar license at Bowdoin and use it to schedule, set up roles, run, and end a webinar — including managing panelists, Q&A, and the practice session.
Zoom Licensing at Bowdoin
Details about Bowdoin's Zoom site license — what's included, meeting capacity limits, how to request a webinar license, where cloud recordings are stored, and the dial-in audio policy.

Service Offerings (4)

Request a Zoom Pro license
Request a Zoom Pro license to host meetings longer than 40 minutes, with up to 300 participants and cloud recording. Staff are granted automatically when a license is available; students receive temporary access after review.
Request a Zoom Large Meeting license
Request a Zoom Large Meeting license to host an interactive meeting of up to 500 participants, where everyone can speak, share video, and use meeting tools. Drawn from a limited shared pool — request early.
Request a Zoom Webinar license
Request a Zoom Webinar license for a large, presentation-style event with a view-only audience. Bowdoin has a limited shared pool; events under 500 attendees are typically covered at no cost. Request well ahead of your event.
Report a Zoom problem
Report a problem with Zoom — audio, video, screen sharing, recording, sign-in, or unexpected meeting behavior — that you can't resolve with the troubleshooting articles.