Best Ways to Communicate with Students Charles M. Scheetz Assistant Director Student Financial Services Ursinus College

2 Agenda  Generations overview  Generation Y  What do we need to communicate  Past and Present Communication Methods  Present and Future Communication Methods  Overview of Services  Website   Facebook  Twitter  Review  Live demo  Questions

3 Generations Overview Baby Boomers – WWII thru 1960s Generation X – 1961 thru 1981 Generation Y – 1982 thru 1998/1999 Generation Z – 1999 thru 2009 Generation Alpha (Suggested) – 2009 thru ?

4 Generation Y Our current student population is Generation Y –Increased technological skills »Video games »Computers »Cell phones »Social Media networks

5 What do we need to communicate? Any information that is important including: –Deadlines (State and Federal) –Reminders (Application Deadlines) –Links (FAFSA, State Aid, Loan Applications) –Forms (Verification Worksheets) –Hours, Location, Phone #,

6 Past and Present Communication Methods Meeting with Student and Parents in office –Individualized attention –Most parents and student prefer this method Letters mailed home –Can not guarantee that parent or student receives Telephone calls –Have to leave messages majority of the time

7 Present and Future Communication Methods Website Facebook Twitter

8 Overview of Services Website –One stop shop (should have all the basic information a student needs) –Fast and simple (when it is working…..) Facebook –Group/Page devoted to an office (can reach thousands of students fast) Twitter –Short and to the point (limited to 140 characters)

9 Website –Use for information about all services Information about grants, loans, scholarships How to apply for aid Specific deadlines Links to scholarship searches Forms available for download

10 Personal vs. Campus-Based –Always use campus-based »Personal – not sure if it is the student’s »Campus based is free for all students »Easier to track (paper trail) KISS – Keep it short & simple –The less a student has to read, the better –If the needs to explain important information, may want to request student comes into the office –Highlight and bold important points

11 Facebook Create a group or page –Group is connected to one person (has to have an admin) »Admin may try to get contacted by students »Students need to “join” –Page is connected to business (has to have an admin) »Better for schools »No admin shown (do not become a fan) »Students become a “fan” Page is the better practice –Can have all staff as administrators or just certain members –Can post information including: »Reminders »Deadlines »Links »Photos Always be short and to the point All updates show up on user’s “wall”

12 Twitter Can create an account for the office –Would recommend only one admin for the account Update at anytime –Can create quick and simple posts 140 character limit –If need to include links, shorten the link »Can use tinyurl ( Use for quick updates –KISS: Keep it short and simple

13 Review Try out all the electronic services –Not each service is the best for every office Have different people update by , Facebook and Twitter –Don’t want “to many hands in the cookie jar” Always be short and to the point Easiest way to reach a majority of students »FACEBOOK

14 Live Demo of Services

15 Questions and Contact Info Charles M. Scheetz Assistant Director of Student Financial Services Ursinus College 601 East Main Street Collegeville, Pa P F