One UW mechanical engineering class has taken the initiative to find a solution to Husky Stadium’s camera vibrations that appear during especially loud moments during a game. Such a project, however, leaves some wondering if those vibrations are such a bad thing after all.

“Most Husky fans that I talk to like the vibration. They can feel the excitement when they see the cameras shaking,” said Scott Baebler, assistant athletic director for Event and Facility Operations. “When things are going well and there is a big play, then the vibrations are quite large from the fans jumping and stomping on the upper deck.”

Students in Mechanical Engineering 395, introduction to mechanical design, have been challenged to find a solution to the vibration issue. The project is part of a class series in which 16 engineering students, divided into groups of four, will brainstorm possible methods to combat vibrations.

“The problem was identified by one of our alumni, Jeff Siegmeth (now a law student at Seattle University).” said professor Per Reinhall, who teaches the class. “[The] UW did not come to us. [Siegmeth] called me this summer to discuss the problem, and he volunteered at that time to help the students.”

Reinhall attests that these vibrations also come with a downside.

“Some vibrations might be beneficial for adding a live dimension to a TV broadcast, however, when the vibrations are excessive, it becomes annoying,” he said.

While Vipin Kumar, an associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department and an adviser on the project, asserts that this project is mainly to provide students with real-life situations, he also said the findings could possibly be used for other reasons.

“At present, this is a project for students to gain experience with. But, if the ideas developed are good, they may be pursued further for implementation,” Kumar said.

Yet many of the vibrations, borne by the rumbling stands, provide a dose of palpable energy that cannot otherwise be translated from the stadium to the TV.

For those who enjoy the dynamic energy the vibrations provide, they may be in luck. Baebler said it seems these solutions, if found, are unlikely to be implemented; however, he is open to entertain new ideas.

“The engineering students approached us, but we were happy to help out and to see if they came up with anything that we could find beneficial,” Baebler said.

The work the students have completed this fall will be presented in room 246 of the Mechanical Engineering Building on Dec. 3. Though open to the public, the project seems to be less about actual implementation and more about students having an opportunity to fix a real-life problem.

“We have not been invited to the presentations, as of right now,” Baebler said.

Though not to fix the vibration issue specifically, the university began lobbying in 2008 for $150 million in public funds to renovate Husky Stadium. The stadium was built in 1920, and according to tellthehusky.com, a Web site with information regarding why the UW seeks public funding for the renovation, it “is in dire need of extensive preservation and life safety work … it is highly economical to make targeted upgrades to improve the fan experience and build modern football facilities to help recruit top football players and coaches.”

Nick Irving, associate video manager for Intercollegiate Athletics, said that the vibration can be a hindrance rather than favorable.

“When you’re zoomed in really tight, you notice the vibrations a lot more,” he said. “A really good example is the USC game this year; at the end of the game when they’re zoomed in on our sideline you can’t even watch because [the camera] is shaking so bad.”

Reach contributing writer William Denman at development@dailyuw.com.