TYLER (KYTX) - UT Tyler is turning to social networking to get incoming students involved. And as CBS 19's Jennifer Heathcock reports, it's all taking place before they set foot on campus.
Students coming to UT Tyler don't have to hit the pavement to learn about campus. All they need now is a keyboard.
"Everyone checks Facebook all the time," said Charlie Hutchins. "It builds dialogue between prospective students in cyber space and builds that network connection before even arrive on campus."
Building a community for students through a new application on Facebook.
A service that was launched in April to newly admitted students. It includes discussions, question and answer forums, and even videos from campus. "It's the virtual UT Tyler."
Now students don't have to wait to walk through the doors for the first time to see what the University Center looks like, or pull up a chair for lunch before they know what's on the menu.
"If someone wants to know, or has a question about what a residence hall will look like, we can post video of Orneles Hall."
Pooling resources into one manageable application in order to bring the college experience to students' fingertips. "It's a large part of college experience, is the community and bonding and making lifelong friendships. Just providing the forum and space to do that."
The Facebook application is open to all newly admitted students as of now, and in two weeks, all current students will have access. By the fall, UT Tyler hopes to open it up to alumni as well.
