Students concerned about when grades will be posted can now receive the latest uOttawa news via their cell phone. This is just one example of how the new free text message alert service, developed as part of the ISIS project, can be used. ISIS, Innovation Student Information System, is a project centred on improving student services, including communications with students.
The new service, uOttawa Mobile, was officially launched on February 28. Students who apply for the service can get the latest news such as a notice that the exam schedule is posted on the web, a reminder of an important upcoming deadline, or an important campus update. By the end of March, applicants will also be able to receive instant text messages from the University letting them know when an offer of admission will be mailed to them.
“This is an excellent medium to allow us to quickly communicate not only with current students but applicants as well,” says François Chapleau, registrar and associate vice-president, strategic enrolment management.
The Office of the Registrar emphasizes that text messaging is an additional service for students. The University does not expect all of its students to own a cell phone. E-mail remains the official means of communication chosen by the University to communicate with students. Text messages are reminders that complement University messages sent by e-mail and information published on the website or in print. Students who do not have a cell phone and therefore can’t sign up for text messaging will not miss any important messages.
