| University Business presents Models of Efficiency, a national recognition program honoring institutions whose innovative solutions have solved higher education business and technology challenges. |
Relocating computing hardware
Boise State University (Idaho)
Customer Care, Office of Information Technology
Boise relocated 4,500 computers and 43 printers closer to students and classrooms to better match demand. Computer usage is up 20 percent and printer usage by 5 percent. In addition, more than 1,000 wireless access points were added so students could print from anywhere on campus. By making better use of what it already had, the university saved $165,000 and student satisfaction has increased. See full story. |
Call for help
The George Washington University (D.C.)
IT Support Center
Digging into IT efficiency metrics uncovered a need to expand operating hours, shorten the amount of time per interaction, and provide information quickly and efficiently. IT merged three units into a single, new IT Support Center and implemented several service enhancements. The result was an 8 percent increase in calls answered, a decrease in average call wait time by 2 minutes, and a 37-second reduction in average call time. See full story. |
Early intervention
LDS Business College (Utah)
Student Support Services
LDS Business College was struggling with poor retention. Understaffed and with no intervention mechanism, LDS reached out to the community for volunteers and received a generous response. Its LMS was used to create a customized student recovery plan. Seventy-three percent of at-risk students returned for the next semester, up from 50 percent, and two-thirds of those who came back completed the semester. See full story. |
Eight to one
LDS Business College (Utah)
Student Development Center
LDS consolidated eight disparate student services such as tutoring, disability assistance, and advising into a single Student Development Center, with one reporting line, a consolidated budget, and shared best practices, technology, and cross-training. Now, services are delivered more efficiently, with an 8.2 percent reduction in budget. More than 95 percent of students have their issues addressed immediately, and satisfaction is up. See full story. |
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Taking tests online
University of Rhode Island
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Paper exam storage was becoming unwieldy, costly, and environmentally unfriendly. The department turned to an online exam which students could download to their laptops, saving about $3,600 for each class to which the exam was administered. With the availability of online feedback, 84.4 percent of faculty and students responded favorably in support of electronic exams. See full story. |
Simplifying book purchases
University of Southern Indiana
Admissions and Enrollment Services Department
Campus bookstore sales were falling an average of 10 percent per year. To stem the tide and fight competition, the store launched a program allowing students to charge up to $1,000 in books to their student account. Charge sales are up $400,000 versus last year and no students have to wait to buy books due to delays in financial aid processing or lack of funds. See full story. |
Student staffing
Valdosta State University (Ga.)
Information Technology
Student employees who worked in 50 classrooms and computer labs and oversaw the use of 1,500 computers were not being leveraged in a consistent manner. A training program was developed to maximize their time and ability on the job and to provide a consistent set of responsibilities. Six months later, a survey showed a 256 percent increase in consistency and in work effectiveness and efficiency. See full story. |
Counseling on call
Wayland Baptist University (Ariz.)
Phoenix Campus Admissions Office
For students needing academic or financial aid guidance, a new online scheduling program was developed that allowed advisors to enter their schedules and let students make their own appointments, freeing up admins for other work. Now university personnel are more productive and the system pays for itself through a $300 a month savings in labor costs. See full story. |
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