Starting college means huge adjustments for freshmen, from meeting new people to learning what professors expect in the classroom. There also are lots of logistical issues: moving into a dorm, finding your way around campus, scheduling classes. Colleges and universities increasingly are turning to social media as a way to reach out to freshmen and help ease their transition.Two of the most recent examples I've seen are from Howard University and Michigan State University — very different universities, both using YouTube videos, though in contrasting but equally effective ways that could and should inspire other schools in their own outreach efforts.
Howard is a private, historically black university of about 10,500 students in Washington, D.C. Its student association put together a three-minute video featuring students answering such questions as "When is move-in day?" and "Where do I buy my books?" The students in the video are really engaging; the video has a very informal tone but is well done (and uses the catchy 1970 hit "Express Yourself" as background music).
Michigan State is a public, land-grant university of about 49,300 students in East Lansing, Mich. (Disclaimer: I worked in advancement communications at MSU for five years. But I would like the videos anyway.) Its "Fresh-Min" series features several one-minute videos on such topics as maximizing your meal plan and taking advantage of the services at the engagement centers on campus. The videos were produced by the university's media communications office and share a consistent theme. I'm partial to the one featuring MSU President Lou Anna Simon:
(Photo from Microsoft Office Images)
Wow. I remember being so nervous as a freshman and having so many questions I was afraid to ask. These videos seem like a great idea! I wish they had them when I started college at Ship.
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