Talking Stick - January/February 2009 - (Page 37)

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas) Janis Haney, Assistant Director of Contracts & Client Relations In 2002, Texas Tech utilized a homegrown system in concert with Residential Management Systems, Inc.’s solution to manage applications, assignments, and administrative functions. Students would log into the in-house system to select roommates, rooms, and meal options, and then the information would be uploaded into RMS, which handled billing, room changes, and hall management. In July 2008, the university merged the two systems and now uses RMS for all assignments procedures, streamlining the process. Successful implementation of the system required teamwork: “This change [merging the systems] should have taken a full year to accomplish, but as everyone in the university housing industry knows, business practices change at the spur of the moment. Making this change required not only the assistance of the RMS, Inc. company but also our departmental IT staff, the university IT staff, and a subcontractor of RMS, Inc. from Australia. It took intense focus and monetary commitments,” says Haney. The result, though, has its benefits. “It hasn’t reduced in-person contact but rather enhanced it. Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Renee Richard Snider, Associate Director for Operations, Residential Life closely together. “Each year we begin meeting several months before the system will be reactivated to discuss any modifications, fixes, or adds to the current system,” Snider says. The software works well for LSU because returning and new students can avoid long lines, selecting rooms and roommates on their own time. Students can select, un-select, then select again for rooms and roommates throughout a specified period of time, and the housing staff doesn’t need to be involved every time students change their minds. Also, new students are pulled into the LSU fold sooner. “They receive regular e-mail reminders and feel a part of the process as they enter the system and make selections as opposed to the old system where staff made assignments and posted the assignment on their account without ever corresponding directly with the student.” In 2001, LSU Residential Life introduced an online system for contract renewal for current students. The system, created in-house and called Choose Your Space, has been enhanced and adjusted each year since, which requires residential life and the IT department to work i-trek™ A desktop dashboard that adapts to any style of furniture. The Brill Company Phone: 866.896.6420 www.brillcompany.com http://www.brillcompany.com http://www.brillcompany.com

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Talking Stick - January/February 2009 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Assessing Assignments On Your Honor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out Welcome Snapshot

Talking Stick - January/February 2009

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