UNO Rolls Out Guidebook Web App Welcoming Students to the Privateer Plunge
Incoming students: The Office of Orientation and First Year Experience at the University of New Orleans is on the move. This morning, student success counselors unveiled a new web application designed to introduce incoming freshmen and other members of the UNO community to the Privateer Plunge.
And this year, the Privateer Plunge includes more events and opportunities than ever.
"This year, we have launched a smart phone app in which everyone can get up-to-date information about Privateer Plunge programs," said Dale O'Neill, interim director of Student Involvement and Leadership. "Privateer Plunge is six weeks of programming, in which all events fall into six 'tracks.' The 2013 schedule has over 150 events!"
Each September, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership and Office of Enrollment Services partner to roll out the Privateer Plunge, six weeks of welcome programming designed to introduce new students to all the resources UNO has to offer. Privateer Plunge provides new students a variety of opportunities, events and workshops to understand available resources and to meet UNO students, faculty and administrators.
We are very excited to have the Privateer Plunge Guidebook app. This is an excellent way for students, staff, and faculty to know what is happening within the first 6 weeks of classes," said Christy Heaton, associate director of orientation and first year experience. "It's so easy! It's right on your phone and when events change or update, it's instant on the app. Nicole Ralston, one of our Success Counselors, has worked really hard to coordinate this effort. I am really proud of her efforts and that UNO can offer this to our students."
This year's Privateer Plunge, which starts on Freshman Move-In Day on Thursday, Aug. 22, has expanded from four to six "tracks" and includes more than 150 events.
In the past, new students have accessed event schedules and information about the program through a website and paper guidebooks distributed by O'Neill and Heaton, co-founders of the Plunge.
This summer, student success counselors expanded outreach efforts by working with builders at Guidebook to create a web application that new students – and other members of the UNO community – can download to their desktops, iPads, iPhones and other handheld devices.
Students will be able to download the event schedule to sync with their Outlook calendars and schedule alerts so that they get 15 minutes of notice about upcoming events, said Nicole Ralston, student success counselor, who worked with builders at Guidebook to create the program.
The Privateer Plunge includes a point system that makes participants eligible for prizes and application will also allow students to ensure they are properly tracking attendance at events in each of the six tracks: Academic and Traditions, Social and Culture, Health, Wellness, and Personal Development, Community and Service, Transfer Track and UNIV Track.
Students will be able to snap and place event photos in an online photo album, get location information, and link to social media. Administrators will be able to use the application to send notices and conduct post-event surveys.
The Privateers' new athletic logo, launched last week on Tuesday, Aug. 17, is the first thing new students will see when they download the application, said Ralston.
"It's really just putting it all in one pretty package," said O'Neill.
On iOS (iPhone, iPad)
1. Download the Guidebook app by going to the App Store and searching for "Guidebook."
2. Open the Guidebook app. After the short tutorial, tap "Download Guides" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap "Redeem Code" on the bottom of the screen.
4. Type in privateer. You'll get the guide download automatically.
On Android
1. Download the Guidebook app by going to the Play Store and searching for "Guidebook."
2. Open the Guidebook app. After the short tutorial, tap the button with three vertical dots on the upper-right corner.
3. Tap "Redeem," and type in privateer. Your guide automatically downloads after you type in your redeem code.
On other devices (Windows Phone, BlackBerry, PCs)
1. Open the Internet browser on your device and enter in the Guidebook mobile site address, at http://m.guidebook.com.
2. Click "Redeem" on the upper-right and then type in "Privateer."
3. When your guide loads, you will be able to use it just as you would any guide on Guidebook's mobile app. Remember to bookmark this page because you cannot download it.
