One unique way IT reaches out to students is through Joe ITguy, a Facebook presence begun in 2008. Joe connects with current undergraduates, reaches out to incoming students, and sends happy birthday messages to his 2,600 friends, some of whom are now alumni. Joe represents student perspectives and he is managed by student workers in the IT Marketing & Communications team. Joe ITguy joins official Rice Facebook groups and promotes IT messages and alerts, and he shows up at opportune moments for photo shoots.
For three years, IT has been communicating with undergraduates through student employees with the result that more undergraduates recognize where to direct questions and get support for their technology issues. Student liaisons in each college, called IT Ambassadors, help promote IT messages like changing passwords and checking printing charges before they are sent to Cashier’s Office.
“Daniel Imas, known by Lovetteers affectionately as “DImas,” keeps all of us up to date and up to speed on changes, warnings, new information and opportunities with IT. If he doesn’t know something he will find out who does!” said Lovett College Coordinator, Sharon O’Leary, of Lovett College’s IT Ambassador, Daniel Imas.
However, IT Marketing & Communications team realized one group of undergraduate students were not being reached due to their unique situation. Student athletes often arrive on campus well before O-Week and are immediately immersed in summer courses. Football player Michael Sam was recruited to be the first IT Ambassador for Student Athletes in May and began working as a liaison between IT and Julie Griswold, Associate Director for Academic Advising for Athletes at Rice. Michael arranged study breaks (see page 12), outlined pertinent ‘getting started’ tips for fliers, created short videos on how to clear holds and get IT assistance, and distributed email messages to support new student athletes arriving for summer courses.