Online Social Networking: A Mechanism To Acclimatize Incoming Freshmen And Facilitate Department Communication

Online social networking tools such as Facebook and Ning are non-intimidating ways to interact with other people. The benign nature of this environment serves as a useful mechanism for introducing incoming freshmen, many of whom are shy and introverted, to their peers prior to arriving on campus. This past summer, Facebook was used as the primary component for the BRIDGE program, which offers an opportunity to ease the transition of incoming freshmen into college life. In addition to this role, online social networking tools have other potential uses for a Chemical Engineering department. First, they can be used as a mechanism to disseminate information quickly. Creating a central communications location allows easy announcement of department events or collection of feedback surveys. Another possibility is to use it as a discussion forum for their Chemical Engineering courses. Since classes can be gathered together into one group, exchanges on concepts or assigned problems can occur among the members (i.e. students and faculty of the course). Finally, online social networking tools can be used to stay in touch with alumni. This connection can help lead to a dialogue between the current underclassmen and alumni to initiate discussions on internships and career options at their place of employment.