2010 Virtual Case Study (VCS) Scenario
At the first meeting of the campus-wide retention committee, held the third week of September, the Vice President of Enrollment Services began to discuss the student evaluations from the New Student Orientation program, held the days before the start of the fall semester. While the incoming undergraduates felt entertained and welcomed into their new environment, many seemed unaware of the myriad number of services available to them. When the Vice President mentioned this there were quite a few stunned faces from department heads (from such areas a residence life, counseling, student activities, and career services) assembled around the large conference room table. Many of them had spent a considerable amount of time revamping their Powerpoint presentations from the previous year in order to provide ample information about their offices to the entering students. This, according to the VP, was the problem. Throughout the two day Orientation program the students were bombarded with one text heavy Powerpoint after another. The new undergraduates were simply bored, not paying much attention and, worst of all, not retaining much of the information the departments were relaying to the students. The Vice President, a strong supporter of student services at the campus, was concerned with the survey results because he knew the more students were aware of the various services, the higher the retention rate.
This led to a spirited discussion on alternative information delivery methods offices could develop. After a considerable amount of time it was agreed that each office would create two 1-4 minute videos that could be incorporated into the following year’s New Student Orientation program. They would be ready for the following month’s meeting. The VP said he would provide the popcorn and soda for the viewing session.
Your task is straightforward—-as a member of one of the school’s student service offices (you choose, examples listed below) you are to produce the two aforementioned videos that will provide general information to new students.
Offices can include, but are not limited to:
- Counseling Services
- Student Activities
- Mental Health
- Residence Life
- Leadership Training
- Judicial Affairs
- Disability Services
- Health Services
- Career Services
- Commuter Services
The videos can be serious, humorous or a combination of the two. The Vice President has also stated he will award cash prizes for the most creative and most educational videos. Additionally, you are to include the scripts for the two videos.