Online chat sessions allow prospective students to meet USF faculty and staff online, in an informal-- while still informational-- virtual environment. Using technology provided by Hobsons' Group Chat, a typical chat session can be planned and implemented within a 3 week time frame.
What are the steps to host and set-up a chat session?
- Determine if the online chat will be in the evening or daytime. Evening chat sessions are normally on from 7-9 pm (recommended for undergraduate students); daytime chat sessions are normally from 12-2 pm (recommended for graduate or professional studies students).
- Identify the specific types of prospects you'd like to invite via e-mail. You can send a text or graphic postcard. Submit an Email Campaign Request Form, which will include the email list requirements as well.
- Web Services will post the chat event on the USF online chat page: http://www.usfca.edu/chat.
- Determine if more than one chat rooms will be needed for the chat session. The standard is to have one room. (A Web/Data Coordinator will configure the chat room to these specifications.)
For example:
* a welcome/reception room
* a financial aid room
- Identify and invite colleagues and current USF students who will help moderate the chat session.
- If colleagues have not participated in a chat session before, please notify Web Services to allow for a training session to be setup before the chat.
- Contact Web Services the day before the chat to coordinate the location for chat participants to work and confirm the number of computers needed.
- Order food and drinks (optional).
For more information on hosting your own chat session, please contact Web Services.
