Greek Life members are getting a breath of fresh air with OrgSync, a program designed to network MU’s student organizations.
OrgSync is being launched by MU’s Organization Resource Group. ORG Communications Coordinator Scott Dreyer said OrgSync’s goal is to conglomerate all of MU’s groups into one central program. It resembles Facebook in design, using features such as news feeds and profiles, but also offers unique tools like group text messaging and rosters for organizations.
In the eyes of Nick Smith, president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, it could be a very good addition.
“It’s a nice way to put it all together,” said Smith.
Previously, Lambda Chi Alpha had been using multiple services for promoting themselves and communicating with each other. One service set up and operated its website. Another was the Group Interactive Network, which allowed the fraternity to communicate in the same way, but was much more costly. Comparatively, OrgSync is more cost-efficient and is connected to the actual university.
Smith said nothing like OrgSync has been attempted in the past. Every Greek Life chapter has a space on Blackboard, but it was very basic and Lambda Chi Alpha was one of the few chapters that used it.
“Blackboard was okay, but I’m interested to how well OrgSync works,” Smith said. “I really want to see good functionality and I want it to be user-friendly.”
Smith said the new program requires every member of each Greek Life chapter to have its own profile, containing mostly contact information. This might create doubt for some, but not for Kappa Delta President Rose Eppensteiner. Although only the executive board of Kappa Delta is using OrgSync, Eppensteiner said she does not believe the profiles will deter any of her sisters from being excited about the program.
“I don’t think anyone will have a problem with the individual profile aspect of OrgSync,” she said. “You as a user decide how much information you would like to provide, and it’s information that your organization already has recorded.”
Kappa Delta signed up for OrgSync in August before school started. Eppensteiner said the sorority is particularly interested in the online calendar, mass text and file storage features of the program.
Eppensteiner, who is involved in other organizations around campus, believes it is a useful tool for all groups.
“I believe it will be extremely beneficial for our sorority, other Greek Life organizations and each student organization on campus,” she said.
Dreyer said ORG is encouraging groups to post their events and news on the program, but there are no specific requirements as to what exactly groups can do on OrgSync. He believes the new network will be helpful in recruiting new members for these organizations, providing a place to find information and pay dues.
Dreyer said the group has been met with a lot of positivity about OrgSync. Some organizations have even sought out ORG to find out how to join the network.
“We’re drawing groups in by showing them how much easier it is to run their groups through OrgSync,” Dreyer said.
Many campus groups and almost all Greek chapters have joined OrgSync, and Dreyer hopes to have the OrgSync program fully implemented by next semester.