By Ame Phitwong
Trying to stay up to date with the technological and Web-based times, Residence Life started a Facebook group this semester called "UP Housing Selection and Residence Life Help." It aims to answer student questions about housing on campus and university-owned houses.
Michael Walsh, director of Residence Life, created the group as a supplement to the department's main Web site at www.up.edu/housing.
"It's interactive," Walsh said. "Unlike the Web page, students can post questions and I can answer them."
Since she joined the group, senior Maren Gilleney said the site has been helpful. Gilleney joined the group because she had questions for Walsh and living off campus had previously made it difficult for her to get the answers she needed.
"I'm one student and there's only one of him, but I'm sure there are 100 students who need him. He's a very busy man," Gilleney said.
Before the Facebook group, Gilleney had to come on campus to the Residence Life office to try and talk to Walsh, who is sometimes difficult to arrange meetings with. Students are already asking questions in the forums, and Walsh has replied to the majority of those questions, as well as posted dates for important deadlines.
"He did answer all my general questions, but there were some more detailed and case-by-case questions I had to discuss with him separately," she said. Overall, Gilleney believes the Facebook page is more helpful than going through the handbook or trying to weave through the main Residence Life page.
Walsh said the main Web page is more comprehensive, but is always open to communicating with students through the Facebook group. Unlike the previous Facebook group he started for Tyson and Haggarty Halls, he said students are using this group more. There are currently 23 members and several posts in the forums.
"For people on Facebook, it's very convenient. I intend to keep it there to answer student questions and get opinions about Residence Life," Walsh said
