JCU has purchased new software for this year called OrgSync, which is designed to help students and faculty become more connected. It is a collaborative software tool designed to provide improved communication and a better planning facility.
The University used $16,500 from an overage in the student organization account to pay for the contract with OrgSync. The deal also covers training and support. It will replace the previous management organization software program, Club Software, which the Office of Student Activities was displeased with due to its limitations and the fact that students did not like it.
In theory, the OrgSync software is a good idea, but unless more students are signed up and shown how to optimally use OrgSync then it is not a wise investment. Also, there are many organizations that have not created a page yet, making it even less attractive to students involved in those extracurricular activities because they aren’t represented.
The software seems excessive when taking into account the fact that current sites such as Facebook and Twitter already exist as networking tools for many organizations. Many students and organizations already use those sites, so it would not only be a more seamless transition, but also far more cost effective.
It is a good idea to help students and organizations plan events in the most effective way, but paying $16,500 for the service when there are alternatives, such as Facebook and Twitter, is a poor use of money.
