Integrating an Instant Messaging System into the College

Integrating an Instant Messaging System into the College of Media and Communication Advising Strategy By: Lindsey Waldo, Marlee Sanderson, Lloyd Morgan, Sarang Patel

Introduction ● ● ● Background information Current situation Plans for implementation Personal qualifications Costs & Benefits Concluding remarks

● So much to do, so little time ● Growth of College of Media and Communications ● Advising requirements

Current Situation ● Registration is a hectic but important time ● Current practices have not been able to keep pace with expansion of the college ● Student’s must physically meet with advisors in order to register-Creates undue hardship on student’s and advisor ● Scheduling appointments and timing of registration ● Late semester appointments are hard to find ● Advisors are as overwhelmed as students ● Established degree plans only need simple questions to be answered, multiple emails cause packed inboxes ● Workload expands; practices and resources stagnant

One Advisor’s Calendar White cells show dates with available appointments.

Project Plan 1. Adjust current advising guidelines and practices. Ideal IM appointment 1. Update and adjust software-Time. Trade and Microsoft Lync

Project Plan Continued 3. Update advising website a. Include “Which Appointment is Best for You” b. List of useful resources such as Degree. Works, Course Catalog, Academic Calendar, etc.

Project Plan Continued 4. Make students aware of new appointment option a. Communication through Tech. Announce, advising emails/website, printed posters and brochures. i. Include existing IT information regarding Microsoft Lync

Qualifications ● College of Media and Communication student ● Students of various colleges and advising practices

Costs of Implementing Proposal ● IT software and website upgrades ● Advising Appropriations Committee ● Student Awareness and Usability Costs of Ignoring the Current Situation ● Continued loss of confidence in advising system by students ● Devaluation of Advising productivity

Costs

Benefits ● Easy Transition ● Provides students with more tailored/tangible/actionable/complete information crucial for decision making ● The IM system provides a medium for communication that email cannot. ● Helps eliminate the current risks associated with mismanaged face-toface appointments

Conclusion This proposal offers a simple and effective option to help students and advisors make the most of their time.

Works Cited College of Media & Communication : : Texas Tech University. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http: //www. depts. ttu. edu/comc/ Kemp, J. (2015, April 6). Instant Message Software Options [Telephone interview]. Lipschultz, L. , & Musser, T. (2014, January 1). Instant-Messaging. Retrieved April 3, 2015, from http: //www. nacada. ksu. edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Instant-Messaging. aspx Nutter, C. (2015, April 6). Current Advising Practices and Options [Telephone interview]. Texas Tech University Advising. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http: //www. depts. ttu. edu/advising/