RPS launches Facebook page to inform students

Facebook is no longer just a Web site for people to network with one another. As Facebook evolves, IU’s Residential Programs and Services has decided to get aboard the Facebook train.\nRPS has its own Facebook profile, on which RPS executives post videos and information for students to view. \nPam Sprong, RPS assistant director of communications and marketing, said RPS has been on Facebook since February and the experience has been excellent so far.\n“It’s so popular with students and they’re used to using it,” she said, “so it’s just a great medium for them to get information from us.”\nRPS currently has 29 “fans” on Facebook. The Web page allows students to see RPS’ hours of operation, phone numbers, sponsored events and videos put up by RPS’ staff or fans.\nRPS is using Facebook as another means to communicate the information it puts in the weekly InTouch e-mail newsletter sent to students.\nAndré Vaughn, RPS marketing assistant, said it is also nice to see who is visiting the page and how often people are doing so.\n“It’s easy to set stuff up and be able to track how many hits,” he said. “It’s really nicely set up and very hands-off.”\nSprong said she hopes prospective students who sign up for Facebook before coming to IU will have a chance to look at the information and become more familiar with RPS. \nFreshman Kristin Webber said she is a fan of RPS’ Facebook profile.\n“I thought it would be an easier way to get information than having to go to a completely separate site for RPS news,” she said.\nSprong said RPS hopes more students will recognize the convenience of becoming a “fan” on Facebook and take notice of upcoming events sponsored by the program.