1. Art and Diseño

2015 CONFERENCE
ACTIVATE THE FUTURE!
February 11-13, 2015
Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel – Toronto, ON
2015 PROGRAM
All OURA Conference sessions take place on the Convention Level of the Hotel – one
level below the Main Lobby.
* Note: Closed Sessions are for OURA Members only
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Bottom of the Escalators
Registration Desk Open
If you’re staying in the hotel, drop by to pick up your Conference badge, Final Program
and registration package.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bottom of the Escalators
7:30 am – 8:45 am
Salon CD
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Salon CD
9:15 am – 10:15 am
Salon CD
Registration Desk Open
Pick up your Conference badge, Final Program and registration package prior to
breakfast.
Breakfast for All Attendees
Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet to kick off the first morning of the Conference. The buffet
closes at 8:45 am to prepare for the opening remarks.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lucy Bellissimo, OURA President and Deputy Registrar, York University
Plenary Session I - Maximize the Value of Data and Your Ability to Protect
Privacy – by Design
Presenter: Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Executive Director, Privacy and Big Data Institute,
Ryerson University
Moderator: Lucy Bellissimo, OURA President and Deputy Registrar, York University
Appointed as the Information and Commissioner Privacy of Ontario, Canada in 1997,
Dr. Ann Cavoukian served for an unprecedented three terms as Commissioner. In that
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time, she elevated the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner from a
novice regulatory body to a first-class agency, known around the world for its cutting
edge innovation and leadership. Dr. Cavoukian is best known for her creation of
Privacy by Design – unanimously adopted as an international framework for privacy
and data protection in 2010; now translated into 37 languages.
As of July 1, 2014, she began a new position at Ryerson University as the Executive
Director of the Privacy and Big Data Institute – Where Big Data meets Big Privacy.
10:15 am – 10:35 am
Foyer
10:35 am – 11:50 am
Salon A
Refreshment Break & Move to Breakout Session Rooms
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 1 – COU Update
Presenter: Julia Colyar, Senior Policy Analyst, Council of Ontario Universities
Moderator: Charmaine Hack, University Registrar, Ryerson University
The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) advances higher education in Ontario
through advocacy, research and policy development. Working closely with the
provincial and federal governments, they facilitate discussion and advocate on a wide
range of university issues. Julia Colyar, Senior Policy Analyst will present an update on
current key issues affecting the higher education sector such as tuition and funding,
demographic changes, online learning and the new Ontario Online Learning
Consortium, credit transfer and more.
York B
Graduate Studies 1 – Roundtable I on Hot Topics
Facilitator: Deborah Russell, Graduate Admissions and Records Officer, Wilfrid
Laurier University and Chair, Standing Committee on Graduate Studies
This dynamic roundtable discussion will include hot topics related to Tri-Council
Funding issues, OGS issues, and more. Bring your ideas, concerns and questions to
this information-sharing session.
Trinity 1-2
Admissions 1 – The IB Diploma Programme – International Education for the 21st
Century
Presenters: Marie Vivas, University Relations Manager, IB Americas
David Hanna, Director of Student Services and University Relations, The York School
Moderator: Thomas Nault, Faculty Registrar, University of Toronto
The number of schools that offer an IB Program is growing rapidly. Just in the United
States and Canada, over 200 schools per year apply to offer one or more IB Programs.
In Ecuador 500 public schools will offer the IB Diploma. In 2014 the first cohort of IBCC
graduates entered university. Why IB? The International Baccalaureate prepares
students for higher education in a globalized society. Professionals on both sides of
the desk are working closely with students and families who are participating in IB
Programmes worldwide. This session will cover:
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What is the International Baccalaureate?
Is the IB the same everywhere?
How does the IB prepare students for post-secondary education?
Advanced standing and credit granting policies in domestic and international
settings
Course selection and impact on admissions
Determining English Language Proficiency through IB Scores
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Trinity 3
Records and Systems 1 – A User-Centred Redesign of U of T’s Student Web
Service
Presenter: Mike Clark, Senior UX Designer, University of Toronto
Moderator: Margaret Bura, Senior Client Representative, Enterprise Applications &
Solutions Integration, University of Toronto
“ACORN” is the University of Toronto’s upcoming redesigned student-facing web
service. It seeks to create a personalized, timely and helpful environment wherein
students will explore future options and opportunities, understand their academic and
financial status, as well as complete tasks through informed, efficient actions.
Michael Clark, User Experience Designer will present the user-centred process that
has been employed to create ACORN and how that process has both identified the
most important issues affecting students as well as continually engaged those students
to ensure a successful product is ultimately delivered to them. This presentation will
explore how user research, iterative design and usability testing practices are helping
to improve online student information services at U of T.
This presentation is suitable for attendees of all technical backgrounds.
Salon B
Scholarships and Awards 1 – Scholarships, Awards and the Ontario Human
Rights Code
Presenter: Jeff Poirier, Senior Policy Analyst, Policy, Education, Monitoring and
Outreach Branch, Ontario Human Rights Commission
Moderator: Elsie Nisonen, Student Awards Coordinator, Convocation & Awards
Office, Ryerson University
This interactive session gives an overview of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s
Policy on Scholarships and Awards. Participants will learn about cautions and best
practices for designing scholarships or other forms of awards or grants that might limit
eligibility to individuals and groups identified by a ground set out in the Ontario Human
Rights Code.
Trinity 4-5
Liaison 1 – Leveraging Digital Channels to Drive Student Engagement and Help
the Recruitment Process
Presenter: Rob Henderson, President & CEO, yconic
Moderator: Micah Schieven, Student Recruitment Officer, University of Toronto Students today expect up-to-date information to be available instantaneously at the
touch of their fingertips. They help comprise the most influential and important
demographic in our economy – the Millennials. Students are constantly connected to
the world and they expect customized experiences with authentic engagement. That’s
why post-secondary institutions need to understand the importance of digital channels
– web, mobile, tablet, social media – and how this influences overall student
engagement and the recruitment experience. Rob Henderson will share unique
insights about the youth and student community in the context of digital channels that
will help post-secondary institutions optimize their internal processes to increase
awareness, likeability and conversions amongst students.
11:50 am – 1:00 pm
Salon CD
Lunch
Enjoy the opportunity to network with your OURA colleagues while enjoying a hearty
lunch.
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1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Salon A
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 2 - Learning Outcomes and Student Success: Measuring what
Matters
Presenter: Fiona Deller, Executive Director, Policy and Partnerships, Higher
Education Quality Council of Ontario
Moderator: Lucy Bellissimo, OURA President and Deputy Registrar, York University
A (possibly slow) culture shift seems to be underway in PSE institutions, with faculty,
administrators, student service providers, policy makers and even students talking
about the importance of measuring learning outcomes. The measurement of learning
outcomes and core competencies gives us an apparatus to better understand the
value and quality of student learning in the PSE system. However, the assessment of
learning outcomes also gives us a common language and set of tools to increase
student mobility in the system, between K-12 and PSE, where the exit standards
should be similar to the entrance requirements; between PSE institutions and
programs of study; and between PSE institutions and the labour market. What skills
are important to the PSE sector on entry? What skills are important to students in
navigating the systems and completing with confidence for the next steps of their
lives? What role do transferable skills play (resilience, grit, imagination, ability to work
in a team)? What role do higher order cognitive skills play (critical thinking, problem
solving, communication)? And, what roles do literacy and numeracy play? Is it
reasonable to continue to assess these skills in PSE?
York B
Graduate Studies 2 – Graduate Students and Mental Health
Presenters: Leanne Holland Brown, Dean of Students, Wilfrid Laurier University;
Adrienne Luft, Mental Health Student Support Coordinator, Wilfrid Laurier University
Moderator: Almey Tse Soriano, Manager, Graduate Admissions and Registration,
UOIT
Increasing awareness of the impact of mental health on students’ academic and
personal achievement correlates with increasing expectations that Universities have
appropriate supports, services and processes in place. Leanne Holland Brown, Dean
of Students and Adrienne Luft, Mental Health Student Support Coordinator, from
Wilfrid Laurier University share some key initiatives, processes and supports that are
proving to be paramount in providing a clear yet supportive framework for supporting
students experiencing mental health challenges.
Trinity 1-2
Admissions 2 – Conditional Admissions for Non-English Speaking International
Students: Experience Gained from Three Years of Successful Academic Culture
and English Program
Presenters: Diane Crocker, Registrar and Director of Enrolment Management,
University of Toronto Mississauga
Lauren Daley, Manager, Pathways Programs , University of Toronto Mississauga
Moderator: Samantha Murray, Interim Assistant Registrar, Arts & Environment,
University of Waterloo
U of T’s English language facility requirements are among the highest in Canada.
Academically strong International students were turned away because they were just
short of our language proficiency requirements. The practice of admitting some at a
discretionary English range was not successful. What was needed was a language
development program for these students -- a program that would address their
individual needs and bring each of them up to a level playing field where they could be
successful with university level studies. UTM was in the business of attracting and
admitting good students but not in the language development business. Through a
partnership with the School of Continuing Studies English Language Program, the
UTM Office of the Registrar, and Student Housing Residence Life, ACE@UTM
(Academic Culture and English at the University of Toronto Mississauga) was
developed.
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Launched as a pilot to 54 students in the Fall of 2011, this program has now reached
full capacity. In 2014–2015, 400 newly admitted students are expected to participate
in ACE@UTM program – international students who would otherwise never have been
eligible to pursue University of Toronto degrees.
ACE@UTM represents a partnership in innovation across multiple departments and
divisions. While conditional acceptance with an English Language Program
requirement is not new, this program is unique: flexible, student-focused and
responsive to individual’s needs ensuring that each student receives a unique and
well-rounded experience; easily transferable to another division or institution admitting
international students; and scalable because of the strong partnership and smart
utilization of existing resources.
This session will describe the ACE@UTM program, report on its evolution and success
and identify the challenges faced with development, including marketing, admission,
registration, monitoring student progress and most importantly, advising and
communicating with the students.
Trinity 3
Records and Systems 2 – Every Student Counts: Two Institutions Use Two
Approaches and One Early Alert Technology Solution to Retain Students
Presenters: Kelly Dickinson, Manager, Student Advising, OCAD University
Kinam Kim, Coordinator, University Academic Advising, Office of the Registrar,
Ryerson University
Moderator: Karen Chung, Assistant Registrar, Records & Registration, OCAD
University
In 2013 Vocantas, a vendor at the OURA Conference, introduced the university
community to Scaller, an interactive voice response solution which allows institutions to
quickly identify and target students with urgent needs so the universities can reach out
and offer appropriate supports and interventions which might allow those students to
be successful and ultimately retained. We'll share our experiences and lessons learned
from our respective campuses – Ryerson University and OCAD University - in
implementing this low cost early alert retention strategy from the initial concept through
planning and implementation to assessment, reporting and outcomes, including return
on investment and retention impact.
Salon B
Scholarships and Awards 2 – How to Create a Financial Literacy Program with
Minimal Resources
Presenter: Andre De Freitas, Manager, Financial Aid & Awards, OCAD University
Moderator: Valerie Sarkany, Manager, Student Financial Services, Western University
Learn from OCAD University and what they are doing using minimal resources to
reach their students through various marketing channels. This session will speak to
how you can:
• Create a Financial Literacy program from scratch
• Use work-study students to design your program
• Work with marketing & communications to develop your brand
• Educate your financial aid staff on financial literacy
• Increase online participation through Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
• Integrate financial literacy content into YouTUBE videos
• Benchmark and measure program success
CREATiveFund$ is OCAD U’s financial skills program including weekly money
workshops; web tools, video and print resources; loan and tax seminars; and financial
counseling services.
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Trinity 4-5
Liaison 2 – Designing an Effective Recruitment Event
Presenters: Nicola Woods, Associate Director, Student Recruitment, Faculty of Arts
and Science, University of Toronto
Mahvish Wesley, Recruitment Officer – On Campus Events, Faculty of Arts & Science,
University of Toronto
Moderator: Marlin Gold, Recruitment Officer, Canadian, York University
On-campus events are critical to a successful recruitment cycle. Survey data shows
that a positive campus experience can be very influential for prospective students and
can even be the decision-maker for undecided applicants.
But event organization has its challenges in any university context: faculty may not fully
embrace the event’s strategy or goals; campus service providers may have strict rules
about spaces and signage; and last-minute crises can arise, resulting in frayed nerves
and possibly even unhappy guests.
This session will review some of the on-going challenges of recruitment event
management and will share some tips and tricks to help minimize stress and maximize
success.
2:15 pm – 2:35 pm
Foyer
2:35 pm – 3:50 pm
Salon A
Refreshment Break
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 3 – Gen X, Y, and Z – It’s All Confusing to Me!
Presenter: Dr. John Austin, Executive Director, Student Affairs, Ryerson University
Moderator: Samantha Read, Manager, Communications, Ryerson University
Do you ever feel like students just can’t pay attention to deadlines, policies or rules?
Ever wonder WHO they’re always texting? Do you ever feel like one of the hardest
parts of your job is understanding and communicating with this generation of university
students?
It’s okay if you do. Most of us have moments that leave us shaking our heads,
wondering how some students ever make it through the day. Even though you
probably LOVE your students, it’s okay to feel frustrated or disappointed by them
sometimes. They are, after all, only human.
Grounded in the theories that describe adolescent and young adult development, this
presentation will give an overview of some of the things that impact university student
behaviour: science, brain chemistry, family expectations, and influence from peers,
social media, generational differences, and so much more.
This conversation will:
1) Provide you with some insights on the synaptic misfires our students seem to
have;
2) Coach you on some skills for empathy and understanding to make interactions
more enjoyable;
3) Help you realize that it’s okay to express a wide range of emotions, just like
they do!
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York B
Graduate Studies 3 – Advancements in Graduate Admissions at Western
Presenters: Matt Dumouchel, Manager, Information Systems, Western University
Teri Hern, Manager, Admissions, Western University
Moderator: Alice Brummell, Graduate Studies Officer, OCAD University
In April of 2011, Western began the active engagement of the graduate community in
determining how an admissions process could best meet our administrative needs and
the interests of our applicants. Western sought to build a digital admissions service
from the ground up with the primary aim towards facilitating how we, as a community,
wanted to recruit and admit quality students. After a two-and-a-half year process our
new admissions system was released in October, 2013. The School of Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies will take you on a tour of the results of that project, focusing on
the new business process model that was developed to support a centralized and
independent admissions system at Western.
Salon B
Admissions 3 – Searching for the “Right” Student: the Use of Broad-Based
Admission (BBA) Criteria in the UBC Undergraduate Admission Decision
Presenter: Andrew Arida, Associate Registrar, Student Recruitment & Undergraduate
Admissions, The University of British Columbia
Moderator: Jen Sugar, Assistant Director, Admissions, Carleton University
As both the pressures to gain university admission and applicants’ admission averages
get higher and higher, many Canadian universities are considering the use of broader
admission criteria in the undergraduate admission decision. Over the past decade, The
University of British Columbia has gradually introduced the use of Broad-Based
Admission (BBA); today, a personal profile (consisting of short answer questions and a
list of activities) is required from all direct-entry applicants. Students describe
transformative activities and experiences, be they from inside or outside of the
classroom, along with what they have learned about themselves and the world around
them. In 2014, UBC staff, faculty and alumni scored over 62,000 applicant personal
profiles to render undergraduate admission and scholarship decisions. The fact that
the BBA admissions process is clearly resource-intensive inevitably leads to a
question: how are the students admitted under BBA different than the students they
displace (i.e. those previously admitted under a grades-only admission model)? And
does BBA actually identify students who are more likely to engage in their education?
This presentation will provide an overview of a two-year research study that answers
the aforementioned questions in terms of: academic performance, retention to second
year, past levels of engagement, and on-campus engagement (both actual and
intended actual). The research comprised the presenter’s thesis for a Master of Arts in
Higher Education at UBC (2014). The presentation will also describe how the use of
BBA criteria has been operationalized in the undergraduate admissions process at
UBC.
Trinity 3
Records and Systems 3 – Canadian PESC User Group Update: Standards ‘R’ Us
Presenter: Leisa Wellsman, Manager, Applicant Services, Ontario Universities'
Application Centre
Moderator: David Marasco, University Registrar, Algoma University
Did you know that Canadians are among the top adopters of the PESC Standard? Did
you know that the Canadian PESC User Group envisions a pan-Canadian electronic
transcript exchange network based on PESC Standards? Come learn about PESC and
its Canadian User Group. You’ll hear about some recent successful collaboration
within Ontario and between Ontario and B.C., as well as about other provinces that are
successfully using the standards or are planning to. Find out why PESC matters and
how your organization can be part of the Canadian group and its exciting initiative!
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Trinity 1-2
Scholarships and Awards 3 – Donors, Students, Sharing Personal Information –
Oh My! – Exploring FIPPA.
Presenter: Karen Jack, Privacy Officer and Assistant University Secretary, University
of Waterloo
Moderator: Brenda Denomme, Manager, Undergraduate Awards, University of
Waterloo
A student’s dad is on the telephone…
A donor wishes to know more about her bursary’s recipients…
A faculty member wants to know more about a student’s award status…
What do I do?
Attend this session to learn more about the Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act – the legislation driving privacy matters at Ontario universities. The session
will introduce you to the Act’s overarching privacy protection principles, how we
understand them at Waterloo, and how to learn about the rules at your university. We’ll
also discuss best practices for avoiding breaches and maintaining the privacy and
confidentiality of the records you manage every day.
Trinity 4-5
Liaison 3 – Risk Management and Risk Reason in Recruitment
Presenter: Lynne Mitchell, Director and International Recruitment Liaison Officer,
University of Guelph
Moderator: Kim Randall, Senior Liaison Officer, Ryerson University
Most institutions are aware of workplace and environmental health and safety but how
does that apply to employees who are travelling on behalf of the institution? What do
recruitment officers need to know about travel safety? How much does the institution
need to prepare them? How should the institution respond if something goes wrong?
What can colleagues travelling together do to mitigate risks on recruitment trips
abroad? This session will cover the major travel issues of concern to recruitment and
promotion personnel including cultural preparation, risk management and liability,
emergency response and evacuation.
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
York B
Standing Committee Annual General Meetings
Trinity 1-2
Admissions Annual General Meeting
Moderator: Parisa Memari, Chair, Standing Committee on Undergraduate Admissions
York A
Records and Systems Annual General Meeting
Moderator: Margaret Bura, Chair, Standing Committee on Records and Systems
Salon B
Scholarships and Awards Annual General Meeting
Moderator: Valerie Sarkany, Chair, Standing Committee on Scholarships and Awards
Salon A
Liaison Annual General Meeting
Moderator: Paula Johnson, Chair, Standing Committee on Secondary School Liaison
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Trinity 3
Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) Application Management
System (AMS) Project Update
Drop by this informal session to chat with OUAC team members George Granger
(Executive Director), Leisa Wellsman (Manager, Applicant Services), Deanna
Underwood (Manager, Communications) and Ken Scullion (AMS Consultant) about the
progress of the AMS project.
Graduate Studies Annual General Meeting
Moderator: Deborah Russell, Chair, Standing Committee on Graduate Studies
What is AMS?
Over the past several years, the OUAC has worked toward modernizing elements of its
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outdated systems to improve services for both applicants and universities. Modernizing
the application systems will allow the OUAC to meet compliance standards and
respond to business requirements, technologies, IT standards and processing
methodologies.
And so, the OUAC is starting the next big step - the integration of databases to create
a new Application Management System (AMS). Thus the AMS project was born.
4:45 pm – 5:45 pm
Trinity 4/5
5:45pm onward
Reception – Sponsored by OUAC and the AMS Project
Join the OUAC team and your OURA colleagues at this end-of-day reception. OUAC
staff will be happy to answer your questions about the AMS Project as you enjoy
complimentary food and drink. (A complimentary drink ticket for this reception is
attached to the bottom of your Conference badge).
Free Evening
Thursday, February 12, 2015
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bottom of the Escalators
7:30 am – 8:45 am
Salon CD
8:00 am – 8:45 am
Salon A
*Closed Session for
OURA members only
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Salon CD
Registration Desk Open
If you are arriving today, stop by the desk to pick up your Conference badge and
registration package prior to breakfast.
Buffet Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast before the AGM and the Plenary session.
Annual General Meeting*
Immediately following breakfast, the formal business of the Association will be
discussed at the Annual General Meeting.
Plenary Session II – Trends With Benefits
Presenter: Max Valiquette, Innovation and Trends Expert
Moderator: Effie Gatsinos, Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment, Admission
Services, University of Guelph
What are the trends of today that will have the greatest impact tomorrow? And what
do they mean for the post-secondary education community? Max Valiquette presents
a series of emerging trends that are both directly relevant to our business, and
personally interesting to the people who work there. Trends with benefits looks at the
five following macro trends:
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Millennials, the most important – and influential – demographic there is;
Increasing Productivity, the single most important workplace trend;
Technology in Real Life – understanding the powerful digital tools that have to
work in more than just a digital space;
The New Internet – changes in the World Wide Web – how we use it, and
how we build for it;
Lastly, the rise of Analogue culture. There’s a new, emerging trend in which
non-digital culture is on the rise. It’s not anti-technology, it’s that technology
needs a human component to be relevant to us today. Analogue culture will
explain why this matters to you.
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10:00 am – 10:40 am
Foyer
Exhibits Open / Refreshment Break
Take time to visit the Vendors in the Exhibit area to learn about the latest products
and services available. Exhibits are open today only. Get your Exhibit Passport
stamped at each booth you visit for a chance to win a free registration to the OURA
2016 Conference.
THANK YOU to AURADATA for sponsoring this refreshment break!
10:40 am – 11:10 am
Salon A
30-minute BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 4 – Building Strategic Enrolment Intelligence Data: An Overview and
Discussion – Part I
Presenters: Lucy Bellissimo, Deputy Registrar, York University
Clara Wong, Director Administrative Systems, York University
Moderator: Charmaine Hack, University Registrar, Ryerson University
Most Universities have either begun or are planning projects to turn data within their
various systems into strategic enrolment intelligence. York University began this
process in 2010 and has implemented management information dashboards and
metrics to help guide enrolment management activities and inform strategy. In this
session we will share important considerations to include as part of your projects to
build enrolment intelligence.
This session is divided into two Parts. It is strongly recommended that attendees
register for Part I and Part II to fully benefit from the content presented.
York B
Graduate Studies 4 – Academic Integrity at Western
Presenters: Representatives from Western University
Moderator: Almey Tse Soriano, Manager, Graduate Admissions and Registration,
UOIT
Representatives from Western will discuss their online course for graduate students. If
you have a similar course on Academic Integrity, come prepared to share information
with the group.
Trinity 1-2
Admissions 4 – China: Globalization of China’s Curriculum
Presenter: Lidia Mestnik, Senior Admissions Counsellor, University of Toronto
Moderator: Kevin Whitmore, Manager, Admissions, Trent University
A review of China’s standard curriculum and changes to the Gaokao that are going to
be tested, plus the changing nature of the Gaokao, and the surge of international
curricula. How do undergraduate admissions process these applications? Is proof of
English facility always needed? Is China alone in offering varying curricula?
Trinity 4-5
Records and Systems 4 – Transcript Service Enhancements
Presenter: Yvette Ali, Associate Faculty Registrar, Records & Associate Director,
University of Toronto Transcript Centre
Moderator: Margaret Bura, Senior Client Representative, Enterprise Applications &
Solutions Integration, University of Toronto
UofT is committed to providing students with same-day service for transcript orders
with an intuitive and simplified ordering process. Transcripts are consolidated and
include the student’s full academic history; however, the ordering process can be
delayed for students with older records because these are held in the student’s home
Faculty. This session will explore recent initiatives at UofT to meet its service goals,
including the user-friendly revamp of the on-line transcript ordering system, the
migration process of older paper records onto Nolij Web (an electronic file
management system), and the redesign of the transcript website.
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Salon B
Scholarships and Awards 4/Liaison 4 – Net Tuition Calculator
Presenters: Carac Allison, Manager, Web and IT, Student Services, Western
University
Valerie Sarkany, Manager, Student Financial Services, Western University
Moderator: John Arnou, Manager, Student Success, St. Jerome’s University,
University of Waterloo
Western's Tuition Calculator is a web application developed in collaboration with the
Student Financial Services team. It enables prospective students and their parents to
assess the financial reality of studying at Western. Users use drop downs to select
details such as the program they are considering applying to and what they believe
their entering average might be. Cost and potential financial aid are then displayed
visually.
This was a project requested by the President. This presentation will share how the
development team assessed similar online tools at other institutions; how we
determined what functionality we wanted to include; and the usage and reaction from
prospective students.
11:10 am – 11:25 am
11:25 am – 11:55 am
Salon A
Move to next breakout session
30-minute BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 5 – Building Strategic Enrolment Intelligence Data – Part II
Presenters: Lucy Bellissimo, Deputy Registrar, York University
Clara Wong, Director, Administrative Systems, York University
Moderator: Charmaine Hack, University Registrar, Ryerson University
This is Part II of the session discussing important considerations to include as part of
your projects to build strategic enrolment intelligence data. Part II continues the
information sharing from Part I and includes an interactive discussion with attendees
of the types of enrolment intelligence being built and considered within their
institutions.
This session is divided into two Parts. It is strongly recommended that attendees
register for Part I and Part II to fully benefit from the content presented.
Trinity 4-5
Graduate Studies 5 – Mobile Student Self-Service
Presenter: Tracey Sinclair, Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions & Records
Systems, University of Waterloo
Moderator: Matt Dumouchel, Manager, Information Systems, Western University
Waterloo recently released a new mobile user interface for undergraduate and
graduate student self-service. We will review our implementation including timeline,
communication plan, student testing and feedback, rollout strategy, functionality, and
user analytics.
Salon B
Admissions 5 – Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone and the Future of AP:
Promoting Rigor through Skills-Based Learning and Critical Thinking
Presenter: Joel Presti , Associate Director, International Implementation, The College
Board
Moderator: Jen Sugar, Assistant Director, Admissions, Carleton University
This dynamic session will explore AP Capstone, an innovative diploma program that
launched Fall 2014. The first cohort of schools included more than 130 U.S. and
international high schools, including ten Canadian high schools. AP Capstone
incorporates a new interdisciplinary approach to learning. Through AP Research and
AP Seminar, Capstone’s foundational courses, students develop the independent
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research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills necessary for an
increasingly interconnected global environment. Joel Presti, Associate Director of
International Implementation at College Board International, will provide insights into
how the program has impacted students and teachers around the world and what
Canadian universities should know about it.
Trinity 3
Records and Systems 5 – Automated Course Wait Listing
Presenters: Carolyn Posa, Assistant Registrar, Student Records & Legislated
Reporting, Ryerson University
Alda Toste, Manager, Operations Support, Ryerson University
Moderator: Mwinchande Chande, Information and Systems Officer, Brock University
In response to high student demand, Ryerson University piloted automated course
wait listing in Fall 2014 and Winter 2015, using delivered functionality in PeopleSoft.
This session will provide an overview of the basic functionality, our experience, and
where we are going. The session also provides insight for any institution thinking of
introducing automated course wait listing, whether in PeopleSoft or other systems.
Trinity 1-2
Scholarships and Awards 5 – Scholarships and Awards Roundtable
Moderators: Members of the Standing Committee on Scholarships and Awards
A roundtable discussion on hot topics such as entrepreneurial awards, organizational
structure of Award offices, best practices to increase award applications, and students
with disabilities & scholarships.
York B
Liaison 5 – School Booking Solution
Presenters: John Popham, Liaison Officer, McMaster University
Kyle Kuchmey, President, New Motto
Moderator: Paula Johnson, Assistant Director, Student Recruitment, Enrolment
Services, McMaster University
Learn about McMaster's new all-in-one online recruitment event planning solution.
This mobile-friendly solution can house school information in a searchable database,
allows for defined user roles, and is able to import existing delimited text file(s) to
quickly add/update school information. This solution also has the ability for
administrators to map out school visit schedules and calendars, allows admins to
assign schedules to reps, send email notifications, and much more.
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Salon CD
Awards Luncheon
Join your OURA colleagues at this special luncheon as OURA pays tribute to this
year’s award recipients.
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Trinity 4-5
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Graduate Studies 6 - It’s Not What You Say But How You Say it: Exploring
trends, strategies and challenges in recruiting and communicating with
prospective and new graduate students
Presenters: Marta Bailey, Director, Graduate Communications & Postdoctoral Affairs,
University of Waterloo;
Michael Bittle, Communications Coordinator, Wilfrid Laurier University;
Colette Steer, Recruitment and Events Manager, School of Graduate Studies,
Queen’s University
Moderator: Alice Brummell, Graduate Studies Officer, UOIT
If we want to stay competitive and grow or attract better quality students we must
understand and react to the following realities:
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1)Students engage information differently than before: they are online, they don’t like
to be marketed to and they scan for information and
2) Students face increasing demands to be competitive in today’s knowledge
economy.
In short, graduate programs must evolve their communication and recruitment
practices to remain competitive. This panel will provide perspectives from three
graduate schools in Ontario. We will discuss contemporary challenges facing
graduate school communicators and recruiters and explore initiatives we attempted to
better engage prospective students and ensure that new students are on the path to
success.
Trinity 1-2
Admissions 6 – Saudi Arabia: Admissions Practices for Undergraduate Studies
Presenter: Ariel Mihael, Assistant Director, World Education Services
Moderator: Kevin Whitmore, Manager, Admissions, Trent University
Familiarize yourself with the Saudi educational system, including an in-depth look at
essential documents, designed to give undergraduate admissions officers the tools to
choose the most qualified students from Saudi Arabia.
Salon B
Records and Systems 6 – Electronic Survival in the Jungle of Today's World
Presenters: Ronald Ferguson, Assistant Director, Admissions and Integrated
Systems, Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment, Ryerson University
Luca Vani, Senior Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems
Support, Ryerson University
Adam Lloyd, Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems Support,
Ryerson University
Anthony Fredericks, Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems
Support, Ryerson University
Moderator: Neil Neebar, Assistant Registrar, Student Records, Registration and
Graduation, University of Toronto Mississauga
Ryerson Admissions, PASS Team, and Applications Processing will describe their
adventures and best practices on these and related topics:
1. Working with limited budgets and staffing, and impossible schedules
2. Using inexpensive budget-friendly notebook computers
3. Running desktop computers and server applications remotely with notebooks,
tablets, and smartphones
4. Surviving scheduled and unscheduled power outages
5. Training faculty and staff one-on-one just in time with a small fleet of
notebooks
6. PowerPoint training material
7. Shared drives
8. Google Drive for real time collaboration
9. Virtual Machine software to solve compatibility issues between Mac and
Windows
10. Submitting reference and other forms with existing email technology
11. PeopleSoft automation, Choose>Ryerson, Document Uploading, and NOLIJ
all working together.
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Trinity 3
Scholarships and Awards 6 – Income Contingent Loans & The Future of
Accessibility
Presenter: Lorne Sossin, Professor & Dean, Osgoode Hall Law School, York
University
Moderator: Valerie Sarkany, Manager, Student Financial Services, Western
University
As part of a variety of new accessibility initiatives, Osgoode Hall Law School at York
University announced in September 2014 a new Income Contingent Loan Pilot
Program. Based on a "study now, pay later" approach, the program will see
participating students pay their law school tuition only upon graduation when their
salaries reach a pre-determined threshold of affordability. If students choose less
remunerative career paths, the loans will be forgiven over a period of years. This
method of advancing accessibility is intended to deal both with the "sticker shock" of
tuition at the front end and career choice constraint at the back end. This session will
explore the Osgoode initiative and address some key questions: Will this program
work? Can it be scaled up? What assumptions should accompany the design and
funding of income contingent loan programs? How should the success of such
accessibility initiatives be determined? What's next on the accessibility horizon?
Salon A
Liaison 6 – How Students Choose Institutions: Preliminary Results from a 4phase Longitudinal Survey
Presenter: Paul Jarvey, Research and Analytics Coordinator, Higher Education
Strategy Associates
Moderator: Craig Chipps, Manager, Brantford Recruitment Services, Wilfrid Laurier
University (Brantford)
Between September 2014 and May 2015, Higher Education Strategy Associates is
conducting a series of four longitudinal surveys that follow students as they choose a
postsecondary institution. Take a peek inside the preliminary results from this series
of over 1,200 in-depth qualitative interviews with current grade 12 covering the
following topics:

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
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
Simcoe
Emerging trends in reliance on social media
Reactions to marketing materials and other recruitment vectors
Correlations between demographic factors and choice pathways
Factors that influence choice of institution and program
Why and when students change their minds
How aboriginal and high-needs students differ
Vendor Session 1A – Student Flow Management: A Complete Experience
Presenter: Sid Mandel, Vice President, Operations–North America, Q-nomy Inc.
Student Flow Management is defined as the processes involved in any contact
between students and back office personnel. The Q-nomy team will discuss the
science used to determine best practices and show examples of universities and
Colleges using collected data and automated systems to transform their current
processes into a collaborative reception and processing center, both virtual and in
person, for all student contacts.
The Q-nomy team will guide attendees through the methodologies and experiences
which enhance the College and University Service Desks as well as detail the
approaches in which your students can have a positive experience.
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Q-nomy is the leading provider of complete student experience solutions to tertiary
education facilities around the globe. Q-Flow, V-Flow and Great Visit are the flagship
products which provide the service centres in Colleges and Universities the tools to
meet and exceed service delivery expectations.
York B
Vendor Session 1B – Why Another English Language Proficiency Test? How
PTE Academic Can Strengthen Your International Student Admissions Process
Presenter: Marcie Mealia, Client Relationship Manager Canada, PTE Academic
The vast majority of universities in Canada are looking to increase the number of
international students on their campus, and proof of English language proficiency is a
crucial component of the international student admissions process. Unfortunately,
issues such as fraudulent test scores and inadequate preparation plague both the
university and test-taker alike. PTE Academic, the leading computer-based English
language proficiency test, was developed in response from higher education to
combat these types of issues by creating an English test that more accurately
measured the communication skills of international students in an academic
environment as securely and efficiently as possible. PTE Academic provides accurate,
objective, secure, and relevant test scores that allow universities to have much more
confidence that admitted students have the right level of English to study at your
institution.
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Foyer
Exhibits Open / Refreshment Break
Enjoy hot and cold refreshments while visiting the Vendors in the Exhibit Area.
3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Salon A
Leadership 7 – Re-Thinking Higher Education
Presenter: Ken Steele, Co-Founder, Academica Group and Editor, Academica Top
Ten
Moderator: Lucy Bellissimo, Deputy Registrar, York University
Colleges and universities face demands for change from all sides: students want more
flexible, career-relevant and experiential programs; provincial governments want
expanded access and enhanced student success, while also demanding ever-greater
efficiencies and measurable outcomes, even while students arrive less prepared and
requiring more supports than ever; the federal government is encouraging more
applied research, commercialization and economic impact; employers want more “jobready” graduates; and faculty want to maintain personal and professional quality of
life.
In the 20th century, PSE institutions scaled up traditional teaching by applying
industrial-age models, resulting in ever-larger lecture classes, multiple-choice exams,
simplified grading systems, contingent faculty, managerialism and labour unionization.
Scaling up the traditional system further is not an option: the time has come to rethink
some of our longstanding assumptions about residency requirements, course credits,
the agrarian calendar, intellectual Darwinism, disciplinary silos, the humanities, lecture
classes, libraries, textbooks, social interaction, and student evaluation. For some
kinds of learners, and some programs, the time and technology have come to open
our minds to consider flexible hybrid delivery, gamification and simulations,
interdisciplinary courses, active and experiential learning, intelligent textbooks and
adaptive learning platforms, competency-based credentials and expanded transcripts
incorporating co-curriculars, work experience, and badges.
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York B
Graduate Studies 7 – Saudi Arabia: Admissions Practices for Graduate Studies
Presenter: Ariel Mihael, Assistant Director, World Education Services
Moderator: Terry McAfee, Director, Business Administration, Ryerson University
This session will help you familiarize yourself with the Saudi educational system,
including an in-depth look at essential documents, designed to give graduate
admissions officers the tools to choose the most qualified students from Saudi Arabia.
Salon B
Admissions 7 – Ryerson Admissions & Recruitment Integrated Online Approach
Presenters: Ronald Ferguson, Assistant Director, Admissions and Integrated
Systems, Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment, Ryerson University
Luca Vani, Senior Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems
Support, Ryerson University
Adam Lloyd, Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems Support,
Ryerson University
Anthony Fredericks, Systems Support Specialist, Processing Applications Systems
Support, Ryerson University
Moderator: Cindy Cripps, Manager, Undergraduate Admissions, Western University
Ryerson Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment has created, developed and
implemented an integrated, online system for applicants, staff, and faculty that
includes the Choose>Ryerson applicant portal, the Document Upload Page for
academic and non-academic submissions, the NOLIJ Electronic Content
Management systems for processing applications with workflow, and PeopleSoft autoevaluation and assignment customizations. Ryerson UAR is applicant-friendly, green,
paperless, safe, and secure.
Trinity 1-2
Records and Systems 7 – U of T… Transforming Data into Meaning
Presenters: Sinisa Markovic, Assistant University Registrar, University of Toronto
Christine Beckerman, Business Intelligence Administrator, University of Toronto
Alex Agostino, Business Intelligence Project Leader, University of Toronto
Moderator: Margaret Bura, Senior Client Representative, Enterprise Applications &
Solutions Integration, University of Toronto
This session will discuss a partnership between UofT’s Enrolment Services, Faculty of
Arts & Science and UTBI (University of Toronto Business Intelligence). Our
presentation will discuss how UofT took transactional data from our student system
and transformed it to ‘useable’ business data to support decision-making at the
University.
Our session will include a discussion on:
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Why is this a partnership between IT and the university administration and
academics
How transactional data is transformed into business data to support
institutional reporting
An overview of our Cognos end-user reporting tools
The types of data the University now holds in its data warehouse to support
student reporting from recruitment to graduation
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Trinity 3
Scholarships and Awards 7 – FCAC: Insights into Measuring Program
Effectiveness
Presenter: Maria Vranas, Acting Manager, Financial Literacy, Financial Consumer
Agency of Canada
Moderator: Andre De Freitas, Manager Financial Aid & Awards, OCAD University
FCAC will share the results of its pilot project to test a proposed evaluation
framework. The objective of the project was to assess whether financial education
programs have measurable outcomes on participants’ knowledge and behaviours. An
overview of FCAC’s Financial Basics program will be provided with suggestions on
how it could be implemented at a post-secondary level.
Can pre- and current post-secondary financial literacy education generate an impact?
Do financial literacy interventions assist students and the general public in their future
financial success? Insights into Measuring Program Effectiveness will help illustrate
what works for financial literacy education and what doesn’t.
Trinity 4-5
Liaison 7 – Cultural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Building Inclusive
Leadership
Presenter: Darrell Bowden, Education and Awareness Coordinator, Office of Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion, Ryerson University
Moderator: Souen Outh, Manager, Undergraduate Student Recruitment, Ryerson
University
The overall intent of the workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge and
understanding of tools and strategies that can be used to create schools and
communities that welcome and value diversity. In response to a growing multi –
ethnic/cultural post-secondary educational environment, more institutions of higher
learning are recognizing that equity, diversity and inclusion training is an effective
business practice, that can yield compliance with legislative obligations (i.e. Human
Rights Codes, AODA, etc.) This workshop aims to demonstrate how
inclusion works through individuals, ideas, and institutions with the goal of
understanding that we must think inclusion from the start, thereby allowing all
members of the community to participate fully in all aspects of campus life.
Simcoe
Vendor Session 2 – Campus Scheduling at Ontario Universities
Presenters: Olivier Melis, President, Infosilem
Pierre Guay, Director of Sales, Infosilem
Infosilem is the scheduling software provider of choice for Ontario Universities, and for
good reasons. The majority of Ontario Universities, actually 17 out of 21, are long-time
users of Infosilem's Academic Scheduling Solutions to efficiently manage and
optimize their course and exam schedules.
Over the last few years, 11 Ontario Universities have also embraced the management
of their Campus Scheduling operations with our Enterprise solution. Come and see,
with a real live example, how Infosilem EnCampus™ - Enterprise addresses the
scheduling and reporting needs of Ontario Universities.
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Foyer
Closing Vendor Reception and Prize Draws
Visit the Vendors in the exhibit area one final time while enjoying delicious hors
d’oeuvres. Remember to submit your completed Exhibit Passport by 5:00 pm – we’ll
draw from submitted Passports for a free registration to the OURA 2016 Conference.
A complimentary drink ticket for this reception is attached to the bottom of your
Conference badge.
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Friday, February 13, 2015
7:30 am – 12:00 noon
Bottom of Escalators
Registration Desk Open
If you are arriving today, please check in at the desk for your Conference badge and
registration package.
7:30 am – 8:45 am
Salon CD
8:55 am – 10:00 am
Salon CD
Breakfast Buffet
Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet before the Plenary Session.
Plenary Session III – Leadership Tools for Team Excellence
Presenter: Dr. Ivan Joseph, Award Winning Performance Coach, Leadership &
Cultural Transformation Expert
Moderator: Charmaine Hack, OURA President and University Registrar, Ryerson
University
High performing teams have similar attributes. Using examples of business people
and from his own coaching experience, NAIA National Coach of the Year Dr. Ivan
Joseph shares four key tools for team excellence:
Grit. Grit is the ability to persevere despite setbacks to accomplish a task. Grit is an
attribute of many successful people. In fact, grit is a higher predictor of success than
many other factors including intelligence, hard work–over 112 other factors measured.
Grit is an attribute we can develop in ourselves, and coach for in others. Ivan shares
how to develop grit. Most importantly we should praise the effort, the diligent work–
that is what builds grit.
Focus. Goals are a part of focus, yet we get caught up in the distractions. Learning to
maintain focus in the face of distractions leads to higher performance.
Cohesion. Leadership and teamwork is all about relationships. High performing teams
are more cohesive and value relationships. Dr. Joseph shares examples of how to
build community, the importance of touch, and exercises he uses.
Talent for the Task. Great leaders must be adept at identifying and putting the right
person with the needed skill-set in the right role. And, the role must be enticing for the
person.
In this highly interactive talk, leaders learn tips and tools to help their teams achieve a
higher level of performance.
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Foyer
10:15 am – 11:30 am
Salon B
Refreshment Break
FINAL BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leadership 8 – Follow-up Transformational Leadership Roundtable with Dr. Ivan
Joseph
Moderator: Charmaine Hack, OURA President and University Registrar, Ryerson
University
Further the discussion on leadership in this roundtable session with Dr. Ivan Joseph.
York B
Graduate Studies 8 – Roundtable II on Hot Topics
Facilitator: Deborah Russell, Graduate Admissions and Records Officer, Wilfrid
Laurier University and Chair, Standing Committee on Graduate Studies
This popular session offers an opportunity for the Graduate Studies community to
discuss hot topics and share ideas related to graduate administration.
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Trinity 1-2
Admissions 8 – Filling the Gaps: An Action Plan for Increasing Stakeholder
Transfer Literacy
Presenter: Christine Arnold, Doctoral Candidate, Department of Leadership, Higher
and Adult Education, University of Toronto/OISE
Moderator: Thomas Nault, Faculty Registrar, University of Toronto
While the foundational structure of the Ontario credit transfer system (partnerships,
models and innovative programming) has received primary attention from
government, agencies and administrators, the development of the transfer information
system has been limited. Information processing and transmission, selection,
organization, reduction and conceptualization are important if there is to be a common
understanding or ‘transfer literacy’ among stakeholders.
This multi-institutional study examines the extent to which the college-to-university
transfer information system is performing efficiently and identifies (a)symmetries in
stakeholders’ understanding of this process. Research findings indicate that
misperceptions largely stem from variations in administrative policies and procedures.
For example, administrator and student acquisition of academic records and the
deciphering of credit value/hours, generic/unassigned/unspecified credits,
exclusions/exemptions and GPA calculations were cited as sources of tension.
Similarly, degree and program requirements, reach backs and the timing of program
major and minor declarations require increased student awareness.
Participants attending this session will familiarize themselves with college-to-university
credit transfer policies and procedures across Ontario institutions; discuss information
dissemination strategies and breadth during admission and enrolment; consider
administrator engagement with students, departments and institutions; and reflect on
micro and macro policy modifications to improve the credit transfer student
experience.
Trinity 3
Records and Systems 8 – Staffnet
Presenter: Carac Allison, Manager Web and IT, Student Services, Western University
Moderator: Mwinchande Chande, Information and Systems Officer, Brock University
Staffnet is the Intranet for Student Services staff at Western. Developed in Cold
Fusion this portal provides a suite of specialized administrative services in six major
groupings of functionality:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Impress: Photo and Identity Management
Qand: Metrics and Reporting
Form Flow: Student Application Workflow
Timebook: Role-Based Scheduling
Status Stamps: Staff Decisions and Actions
PeopleSoft Plus: PS Functional Extensions
It is also includes the Innovation Exchange, a marketplace for fresh ideas from all
levels of staff. This presentation involves three distinct acts:
Act I: Old Staffnet: what we learned from our first intranet and the stakes for
the new project;
Act 2: Consultation, development and release;
Act 3: Lessons learned.
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Salon A
Scholarships and Awards 8 – Why Are Students Leaving Facebook?!” – The
Future of the Digital Community In PSE
Presenter: Hamza Khan, Coordinator, Student Affairs Creative, Ryerson University
Moderator: Elsie Nisonen, Student Awards Coordinator, Convocation & Awards Office,
Ryerson University
Blame it on intrusive advertising, increasingly convoluted user experiences and your
grandmother: 11 millions teens have left Facebook since 2011. And the exodus shows
no sign of slowing down. Meanwhile, Snapchat’s users (aged between 13 and 23) are
sharing more than 400 million photos per day (compared to Facebook’s 350 million
photos per day, from its 1 billion worldwide users). And if Facebook’s failed $3 billion
acquisition attempt of Snapchat indicates anything, it’s simply this: the social media
behemoth feels threatened by the upstart startup’s potential to erode it’s marketshare
of the next generation: our incoming students.
This should be a wake-up call for all of us in post-secondary education. We’re in the
middle of a paradigm shift in which everything we know about digital community
building is in a state of flux. In student affairs, we’re preoccupied with student
development and transition. We work hard to retain students and facilitate their holistic
development. To date, we’ve relied primarily on Facebook and Twitter as tools to
support teenagers and young adults who increasingly spend more and more time
online and on social media (reports indicate that the average teen spends between 3-6
hours per day!) But what happens when our audiences aren’t paying attention to us
anymore? What do we do when students are moving in droves to platforms where
everything we know about “canned & planned” digital marketing is useless?
It’s time to embrace a new approach to digital engagement. Gone are the days of
disrupting students during the academic cycle and then shoving our programs and
services in their faces. Instead, it’s time to become a part of their daily lives – even if
this means sending them the occasional funny face on Snapchat.
Trinity 4-5
Liaison 8 – Easy Answers to Hard Questions
Presenter: Micah Schieven, Student Recruitment Officer, University of Toronto
Moderator: Casey Hinton, Recruitment Officer, OCAD University
“Is your campus safe?” “What’s your average class size?” “Do you accept private
school courses?” These are some of the questions that tend to make recruiters cringe.
Many of our prospective students simply have the wrong idea of what a university is,
and what really happens at one. Their misconceptions often lead to these inevitable
awkward questions. A good recruiter can use this to their advantage, turning the
conversation around to not only educate the student about the system and what to
expect, but also promote their institution in the best possible way. Attend this engaging
session to compare notes, exchange ideas, and learn the best way to finally answer
the question, “What’s good about your school?”
11:30 am
Conference concludes. Safe journey home.
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