Syracuse University Launches New Mobile App

The Syracuse University Mobile app offers a wealth of current information about the University, and it provides safe, secure access to information in MySlice.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Kent Syverud appointed Whitman School Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Retail Practice Amanda Nicholson to lead an initiative aimed at generating ideas and input from students to create new communications tools for the University to better connect with students.

Nicholson used that platform to initiate two ICE (Involvement. Communication. Education.) Tournaments, which involved teams of students, staff and faculty. Each team was tasked with developing innovative ideas to increase student engagement.

“The ICE Tournaments were an incredibly productive and rewarding experience,” says Nicholson. “There are pages upon pages of notes filled with creative ways to enhance student engagement, increase student involvement and better the University’s mode and manner in which it communicates.”

One idea is now a reality—thanks to the hard work of Information Technology Services (ITS).

Today, ITS announced the launch of its new mobile application, Syracuse University Mobile, which is available free in the Google Play store and Apple App store. The Syracuse University Mobile app offers a wealth of current information about the University, and it provides safe, secure access to information in MySlice, a feature students overwhelmingly said is critical.

The app also enables students to view their class schedules and grades, and search for classes. The app delivers the latest University news and events and provides access to the University’s online directory to search for students, faculty and staff; campus maps; interactive SU social media; and more.

“As a student who is constantly moving between different buildings on campus, the convenience of easily checking my phone for my class schedule, or looking up an email address on the directory, is incredibly useful,” says Justin Baumann ’16, a political science major, with a minor in information management and technology, and director of technology for the Syracuse University Student Association.

Austin Rhoads ’17, who is majoring in information management and technology, agrees. “The class search is my favorite feature. It is convenient as I begin to search for classes for next semester and doing it through the PC is bulky. One other feature that I really like is the map. Many new students have no idea where a specific building is, let alone where to find out how to get there.”

Rhoads also likes the News feature. “The more I keep opening up the News feed, the more stories I find interesting and want to read,” he says.

Sam Scozzafava, interim chief information officer and vice president of ITS, says the mobile app delivers important information and content in a reader-friendly form to mobile devices and tablets.

“With a rich mix of University information and personal services data, the app will help users engage sooner and easier with the institution and its faculty, staff and students. We will continue to engage students to identify and implement enhancements to ensure it’s serving their needs and providing them with the necessary tools and information to help them be successful in their academic career,” says Scozzafava.

The app’s current features include:

• MySlice Student Services Modules
  • Grades for all semesters during which the student took courses
    • Entries include links to all class details
  • Class schedule (current term only)
  • Class search
    • Current and next term (when available)
    • Search using many criteria, including subject area, subject code, course number, course career, class number, course keyword, mode of instruction (in person, online, etc.), session, days and times
    • Class details available for each result: start/end dates, days, class location and times, and all dates and deadlines (financial drop, academic drop, class add, withdrawal)

• SU News feed
• Campus Maps (Google)
• SU Events Calendar
• SU Directory
• Social Media
  • Users can view and share items from these modules from within the app
  • Aggregates the main SU Twitter and Facebook accounts
  • SU YouTube channel available in Video module
  • Photos module uses SU Instagram feed

As with all mobile apps, updates and enhancements are constantly being deployed.

“The next version of the app should be available before the end of the semester,” says Jenny Gluck, associate chief information officer for academic services. “It will include student access to their exam schedules and three MySlice Faculty Services Modules: My Schedule, Class Roster and Grade Roster.”

Gluck says future updates may include:

• Food points—add money to your SUpercard
• SU Food Services menus and locations
• Transit information and schedules
• Photo I.D.—students can snap a picture and upload as a service
• Library link to search and access library resources

“I am looking forward to the next iteration of the SU Mobile app,” says Baumann. “This is just the beginning of an important tool that SU students will use for years to come.”

“We are always looking for suggestions from our students about how to enhance the experience and functionality,” says Gluck. “Early student users already submitted several ideas we’re actively exploring, including the notion of fingerprint access. Everyone is encouraged to send ideas and comments to help@syr.edu.”

You can download the free SU Mobile app in the Google Play store and Apple App store.