Use of Technology

StuAct Online

In December 2007, the Texas A&M University Department of Student Activities launched an online student organization management system that allows the university’s 800+ recognized student organizations to streamline the processes and resources related to the student organization experience. This cutting-edge system, known as StuAct Online, was designed in-house by student activities information technology staff members using open-source software. Other functional areas within the department collaborated on the project, including student organization recognition, risk management and organizational development services, and the student organization finance center.

With more than 10,000 registered users, StuAct Online has had a profound impact on the department and its constituents. In the last year, the department has witnessed increased student learning, greater accessibility to departmental resources and consistency of services across the department, and enhanced efficiency of processes for student leaders and staff members. The guiding priorities for the development of StuAct Online included user-friendly and accessible student organization recognition requirements, enhanced training and development, and easier paperless access to finances and forms.

The features of StuAct Online were designed to help students meet the expectations of Texas A&M’s “guiding boundaries” while promoting shared responsibility for seeking and retaining knowledge. This structure enables greater student learning throughout organizational processes. For example, student organization recognition at Texas A&M requires the annual completion of seven items including roster changes, trainings, and constitution updates. StuAct Online provides every organization with a “Recognition Checklist,” outlining the steps necessary to meet each requirement and providing a visual overview of the organization’s progress in completing these steps.

A narrated tour of StuAct Online can be viewed at http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/naspa.

AggieServe: Online Volunteer Management Database

AggieServe is a tool that connects community agencies and organizations with volunteers seeking new opportunities. Additionally, a new feature will allow faculty to connect with community partners to create intentional service learning opportunities. AggieServe is managed by the Leadership and Service Center, a part of the Department of Student Activities at Texas A&M University. The agencies included in these searches are located in the Bryan and College Station, Texas.