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How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

  • 1.  How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-15-2020 10:10
    Hi All! 
    Since COVID-19 began, our operations have been significantly slowing down in our Student Center. Our Information Desk staff no longer has tables to set up for vendors; Building Managers are no longer getting rooms prepped for events; Game Room is less populated and the snacks are expiring. With the Spring semester upon us, we are gearing up for our Student Staff Training which is going to look a lot different this semester. I am working on a customer service presentation that focuses on staying engaged when things are slow and would love your input.

    How are you keeping your student staff engaged during these times?

    Thanks in advance for your feedback. :)
    Tina

    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator/ Information Desk Supervisor
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-16-2020 09:37
    Hi Tina! 

    My name is Rachel Gallo and I work at Marquette University in their Event Services department. We also are experiencing a low number of events, meaning less reservations for our student staff workers to make. While their normal job duties have slowed, I have worked on developing Leadership Development Activities for them to complete during their shifts. I make short presentations/activities for them that cover different topics (goal setting, StrengthsQuest, Resume Help, etc.) While these activities aren't apart of their (or my) normal job, it is something useful and meaningful for the students to complete. 

    Hope this helps! Thanks, 

    Rachel Gallo
    Event Coordinator | (She/Her/Hers)
    Alumni Memorial Union, Event Services
    Marquette University



    ------------------------------
    Rachel Gallo
    Event Coordinator
    Marquette University
    Waukesha WI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-16-2020 12:55
    This is a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-17-2020 12:15
    Hi All!

    I don't supervise this team here, but one of the tasks we have given our desk staff is filling display cases and bulletin boards that are normally filled by student orgs.  They have done some extra promotions for our virtual programs, highlighted student orgs and otherwise just helped increase positive displays in the building.

    -Missy

    Missy Burgess
    Associate Director for Student Involvement
    Reeve Union - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
    748 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901
    P: (920) 424-1230 | F: (920) 424-2122 | E: burgessm@uwosh.edu | W: reeve.uwosh.edu




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-17-2020 18:44

    Thanks for the great ideas, Missy! 



    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 01-04-2021 13:26
    Rachel,

    I have been working with student employees on the UW Seattle campus for many years.  I love the idea of student development while working their shifts.  Do you have anything you would be willing to share to the group or via email at jasonh@uw.edu.

    Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    Jason Hansen
    Games Area Manager
    University of Washington
    Seattle WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 01-04-2021 13:53
    Hi Jason!

    I don't believe I can attach a PowerPoint to this thread, so I will send you an email with the first development project I did with our students! If anyone else is interested in viewing my Powerpoint, feel free to email me at rachel.gallo@marquette.edu.

    Thanks!
    Rachel

    ------------------------------
    Rachel Gallo
    Event Coordinator
    Marquette University
    Waukesha WI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 01-04-2021 14:08
    Hi Rachel! Thank you for offering to share your presentations. I'll reach out through email.

    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 01-06-2021 15:57
    Hello
    Rachel if you can share those activities with me I would greatly appreciate it.
    Susan Sullivan, sullivansm@longwood.edu.

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    Susan Sullivan
    Director of the University Center and Student Activities
    Longwood University
    Farmville VA
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 01-06-2021 15:59
    Hi Rachel

    I will shoot you an email as well.

    Susan

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    Susan Sullivan
    Director of the University Center and Student Activities
    Longwood University
    Farmville VA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-16-2020 11:50
    We have been experiencing the same challenges here. Due to lack of/limited events, staffing has been decreased. We have tried our best at finding ways to keep the welcome desk engaged. Currently they are doing door counts, ensuring compliance with face/masks, coverings when guests enter, managing the UIS CARES Supply Stop (free school supplies) and other desk responsibilities. I also assign small projects as they come up.

    We have pondered other ideas and put feelers out that include being a back up for the university hotline since the Union is open after business hours.

    Would be very interested in hearing what other Universities are doing.

    ------------------------------
    Ashley Hall
    Associate Director of the Student Union
    University of Illinois–Springfield
    Springfield IL
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-16-2020 12:59
    I like your idea about being the back up for the hotline. I know that has come up in conversation once before at a staff meeting, but i do not think we followed through. I'll have to bring it back up again. 
    Thanks! 

    Tina

    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-17-2020 11:30

    Hello!

    We have experienced the same slow down for our Information Desk. In addition to their normal responsibilities, we have tasked them with creating engagement opportunities for students/guests when they stop by - i.e. Texas Trivia, Ask Me Anything. We also have asked them to be the point location for any program distribution items (program t-shirts, package pick up in the building) and the receiving location for donation projects (Women's Shelter sock drive).  It has helped keep energy up.  Our School Supply closet is running, as is a partnership with our campus food bank for emergency food bags.

    Great discussion thread!



    ------------------------------
    Lanita Legan
    Associate Director, LBJ Student Center
    Texas State University
    San Marcos TX
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: How to keep your students engaged when it's slow....

    Posted 12-17-2020 18:47

    Awesome Lanita! Thanks for sharing. We have also had our Information Desk act as a drop off/ pick up location for program materials as well. 



    ------------------------------
    Tina Young
    Events Coordinator
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    youngt@temple.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message