Page 45 - Campus Technology, January/February 2019

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EASY comes with an Application Control tool that allows users to set up multiple, distinct applications, control basic branding and turn on and off processes for application cancel- lation and/or withdrawal. A Requirements portion allows per- missioned users to create their own questions, document up- loads and external requests for information (such as letters of recommendation). An Administration tool allows departments to fulfill requirements that are sent directly to the school, while
the Review tool allows readers to rate candidates and make admis- sions decisions.
EASY also provides various ways to open and close application pe- riods for different populations and programs. When applicants start an application, they answer a few questions to “identify” themselves, allowing the school to narrow down what type of applicant they are. Ap- plicants then see a personalized checklist that is dynamically main- tained as questions are answered, references are received and docu- ments are uploaded. Because the checklist makes it clear where their applications stand at any moment, applicants no longer need to con- tact the admissions office to ask whether materials have been re-
ceived — cutting down on e-mail and phone calls and giving admissions staffers more time to handle other work.
Lueckeman said staff members were especially pleased when they realized they had the ability to personalize an ap- plication to an applicant and customize it to the program. Now they can create requirements that display only to the appli- cants who need to fulfill them. What’s more, requirements can be added after an application decision is made: That is,
schools can include forms for housing, event registration and other processes as part of the application software, so that admitted students have one centralized place to complete their onboarding.
Another appealing aspect of EASY is that departments can control most of the functions without having to heavily rely on IT for updates. “There has always been this natural tension between IT and departments,” Lueckeman said. “Our goal is to preserve what is critical for IT to do as an IT func- tion, and to provide user tools to departments that give them the control they need. They are not looking to code on their own. They are looking to change words or add questions, and customize for their needs. The philosophy of building user tools to democratize the implementation was first and foremost in our heads.”
With part of the grant funding, Maryville has been hold- ing workshops to help schools install and implement EASY. Lueckeman is interested to see new and creative ways oth- er campuses deploy it: At Maryville, another group is using EASY to create a pool of potential adjunct faculty applicants, and in online communities, she gets questions about EASY almost every day. “We have heard of schools looking to use it for study abroad or faculty research applications,” she said. In fact, she was recently at a conference and was surprised to see a presentation by Central New Mexico Community Col- lege on how they were using the solution. “They did a great job,” she said. “I thought that was awesome.”
David Raths is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia.
Even after a student is admitted, EASY can handle forms for housing, event registration and other processes as part of the application software, so that students have one centralized place to complete their onboarding.
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CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY | January/February 2019