On the topic of cable management, we have an outdoor graduation for 1200 graduates and 10,000 guests. The ceremony is on video too, three camera shoot and streamed live . Hard surfaces like sidewalks, we use yellow jacket, for the ground we use landscape staples. for areas where the cables cross a path, we staple AND place a heavy rubber mat of the cables. After the main ceremony, we reset, contract the set-up to 3000 seats and then have the School of Law ceremony. The cable staples work great for the speed and flexibility of deployment.
We are working towards a a complete networked audio approach, last year all inputs and outputs were via Dante'. This year we will distribute audio over the university's network as a test for eventually distributing audio for video and FM broadcast. We will still have to run cables but the bundles will be much smaller. We are also looking at FOH power being installed to save a long run overground.
On the cost of college side, I am in a good position. Our institution offers tuition remission for all dependents, so my kids can go tuition free. We also belong to tuition exchange, which is a network of colleges and universities that pool this benefit. Right now my step daughter has the equivalent tuition waved at another college. As long as she keeps her grades up (not going to be an issue), she has 4 years guaranteed.
