Talking Stick - January/February 2009 - (Page 38)

Assessing AssignmenTs University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan) if you build iT… six sTeps for sysTem sATisfAcTion 1 If satisfied with the current Michael Zabriskie, Director, Housing Information Office assignments process, choose or build a system that mimics this as closely as possible. It will ease integration with other operations. 2 Consider the balance of time When the University of Michigan developed in-house software that allows students to select housing options and sign an electronic contract, teamwork was critical. Zabriskie says, “It was a collaborative venture for several housing departments: the assignments office and the information technology department, coupled with a number of reviews from the university’s legal counsel.” One benefit has been that the housing office gains a better sense of which new students are on the fence or definitely not attending the school, Zabriskie says. “We were able to relay this information to our admissions colleagues and reassign those spaces more rapidly.” One unanticipated consequence, though, is that students tend to sign the contracts without reading them. “Some students treat this contract with the same degree of importance they treat software license agreements. They don’t read it and are compelled to deal with those consequences in very real ways. The paper contracts made many of them stop and think, because for many, this had been the first paper contract they signed as an ‘adult.’” continUes 54 3 When considering a commercial product, talk to colleagues that have used the different systems. Pay attention to system stability and customer service issues, since everyone’s assignments process is different. 4 Assume that anyone who works with the software will eventually leave their jobs for new opportunities, and allow time for documentation and mentoring to avoid a knowledge gap. 5 When considering, introducing, and using your software, ask for opinions from everyone, from the director to freshman applicants. 6 Whether you purchase a system or create it, patience is a virtue. Adjusting it to the satisfaction of the housing staff and students is not a once-and-done process. 3 Talking STick Residence halls and retail area on the University of Illinois at Chicago’s campus. University of illinois at chicago versus money. If the campus IT team or housing staff writes the software, this will involve less initial expense but will probably take longer. A commercial software solution may have a greater upfront cost but will be operational relatively quickly.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - January/February 2009

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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