Overview

Background

This project has been developed as part of the wider IS Change Communication and Branding theme.  Communication with students was identified as a core element of many areas of work across a number of IS divisions but there is little consistency throughout the group and no central organisation of key messages to be communicated to students.  This project aims to identify ways these basic issues can be addressed.

Scope

• Review current student communication methods within each ISG division
  • Meet relevant staff from each division to determine current communication priorities, methods and objectives.
  • Identify any methods or messages that have been particularly strong or worked well.
• Liaise with CAM and EUSA on their student communication plans and methodology.
• Lead discussion with student focus groups concentrating on their perceptions of our communication, what they consider works well and not so well.
• Consult and request feedback from student and staff user groups regarding developments and changes in ISG student communications.
• Liaise with other Communications and Branding projects to ensure consistency across the different projects.

Objectives

• Establish overview of student communication methods within ISG
• Understanding of how ISG student communications can improve and develop
• Identification of key student messages and preferred methods of communication

Deliverables

• Development of ISG communication plan or strategy for students
  • Outline plan based on the academic year, with targeted ideas for key dates such as Welcome Week, essay deadlines, exam time etc. 
  • Have one or two key services that are promoted each semester. 
  • Review the progress and impact of the campaigns for each semester, act on feedback.
• Engagement in ongoing dialogue with students about what they want and what they expect (and how we can better manage those expectations).
• Plan or strategy to incorporate a balance of both physical and digital elements, with both parts carrying the same message, for the same purpose, and clearly relate to each other.

Benefits

Identification of improvements that can be made in terms of student communications will initially benefit the students who will receive clearer more concise messages from us.  This project will also benefit each of the divisions who communicate with student groups as they will be have a clearer overview of the messages being communicated to students and how they can best engage with different student groups throughout the academic year. 

Success Criteria

Success criteria for this project will be:

• End of project report outlining what improvements or changes should be made in terms of student communications
• List of recommendations for suggested changes to be made across ISG in relation to student communications
• Identifying contacts in each of the relevant divisions and establishing a working group meeting at key points throughout the academic year
• Long term: creation of a paid role managing the planning and implementation of improvements to student communications

Project Milestones

(Please copy and paste from Milestones log)