Telecommunications

Vassar's Voice Recognition (Name Connector) Service

The Name Connector service is an automated directory system using voice recognition technology. When dialing "0" from an on-campus phone, you can connect to students, faculty, staff, or departments. When prompted, say the first and last name of the individual or the name of a department. The system will then connect you directly to the appropriate extension.

Tips:

  • Try using a formal name: Robert Smith instead of Bob Smith
  • Speak Naturally: It isn't necessary to pause between words
  • Be aware of background noises: Cell phones and speaker phones distort the sound and affect the response time and recognition accuracy.
  • Questions? Just say "operator" to be connected to a live person from 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I interrupt the voice to immediately connect to the name I am looking for?

Press the * key at any time to skip the introduction.

My own information is incorrect! How do I fix it?

Your own information is provided through official Vassar records. If you ask for yourself and the system sends you to the wrong extension, ensure that your information appears correctly in AskBanner. If you are an employee, go to Banner Online and contact the Human Resources office if you need to make changes.

What if I use a nickname?

If your name is Charles and your friends call you Tiger, you can add this as an alternate name by sending an e-mail to telecom@vassar.edu or calling the Help Desk at x7224. Please note that most common nicknames are pre-loaded (e.g. Charles: Chuck, Charlie)

What if the system is mispronouncing my name?

Please call x7667 from on campus and follow the instructions to instruct the system how to correctly pronounce your name.

Why are some pronunciations synthesized and some are natural voice pronunciations?

New names are added to the system upon official notification. Initially, name pronunciation is generated by the computer until they are collected by Parlance and recorded into a natural voice (weekly).

What if two people have the same name?

The system will tell a caller when there is more than one person with that name and will instruct the person to say the name with the “tiebreaker” attached: “There is more than one listing for John Doe. Please say John Doe in Finance or John Doe in Human Resources.”

Can I use this service from off-campus?

Yes, just dial 845-437-7000 and follow the prompts.