ASMHCC student life app experiences surge in uses

The Student Life App, formerly OohLala, underwent some remodeling over the summer. And Mt. Hood’s Associated Student Government has been quite pleased with how it has been utilized so far.

“We are excited about the momentum behind the app and we are always looking for feedback on ways to make the app more useful and beneficial to our MHCC students,” said Meadow McWhorter, ASG adviser.

The number of registered users peaked on Sept. 13.  As of late, there are 1,315 students registered. App activity hit its highest in the month of September. It dropped in October but had regained some momentum by Nov. 1.

Since the app was launched in January 2014, there have been approximately 4,700 event views, 1,000 events scheduled, 1,689 social connections and over 58,000 campus activity postings. The app currently has 387 likes on Facebook and 282 followers on Twitter.

The Student Life App main page has two basic features. Under the student life category, students can search groups and clubs, follow the MHCC Twitter feed, and get information on events and services on campus. Under Campus Information, students can access a map, find out more about courses, and have access to important links.

Students have been able to use the Student Life App for many purposes. In October, many students submitted entries in the Fall Photo Contest. The App has a social media component similar to Facebook where students can  “heart” a post, make friends, and share media. Student Life displays the weather on the main page, which may be helpful this time of year.

“People post more than just textbook sales, which is what they were doing last year. That was a problem,” said Seth Albert, ASG president. He credits the photo contests for giving the students a different impression of the app, which for many has become more personal.

Sydney LaVoie, an MHCC student, is positive about the app’s social aspect. “It’s easy to find students and ask them for help,” she said. One thing LaVoie suggests is to update the clubs.

Bridget McBride, director of communications for ASG, said many updates will be made to help with those kinds of problems.

“What we’re working on is training all the departments on how to update their information,” McBride said. ASG is making Facebook and Twitter updates a priority, as well, “so that everyone has access to current information,” she said. “The majority of information is current.”

As described above, the Student Life App peaked in mid-September. According to McBride, this year’s Welcome Week lended to the success of user-ship. By making a download, students would get an opportunity to win prizes. “We’re probably going to do a couple events like that to get students to join the app, one for each term,” she said.