Stress Less: Step by Step Strategies to Productively Host a University Staff Meeting
Higher Ed, Student Affairs

Stress Less: Step by Step Strategies to Productively Host a University Staff Meeting

Jun 08, 2021
Are you focusing too much on minutiae and housekeeping items? Missing the mark on meaningful engagement? It doesn’t have to be that way! Make your next student affairs staff meeting productive by following these simple steps. 1. Know your audience Have you ever heard the complaint, “That could have been an email?” Well, sometimes it’s true. As you start planning for your meeting, be mindful of who you send an invitation to. Identify who absolutely needs to be there and indicate to everyone else that their presence is appreciated but not necessary. Improve productivity from the start by selecting individuals…
Read More
Virtual Conferences Higher Ed Professionals Can’t Miss in 2021
Campus Engagement, Higher Ed, Student Affairs

Virtual Conferences Higher Ed Professionals Can’t Miss in 2021

May 14, 2021
In 2020, the world changed in ways no one in higher education anticipated. On-campus events, including class attendance, came to a halt. University staff, including faculty and advisors, displayed true grit as they worked tirelessly to serve students. It's 2021, and higher education is still feeling the impact of a global health crisis. Most staff and students would agree—we're all figuring out how to live in a new normal. Last year many annual events were canceled, including the array of conferences higher education professionals look forward to attending. Not this year! The conference calendar is complete, and many organizations have…
Read More
Break the Ice: 10 Ice Breaker Ideas For Your New Student Orientation
Orientation, Peer Leadership, Student Affairs, Student Engagement Platform

Break the Ice: 10 Ice Breaker Ideas For Your New Student Orientation

May 03, 2021
For most students, college orientation is one of their first tastes of life outside of the protective high school bubble. The pressure is on! Not only do students feel a little lost in a sea of faces, but they’re also trying to look like they’re ready to conquer the world. After all, image is vital to survival. As part of the student success team, you can help relieve the pressure. Bring a fun, relaxed vibe to your next new student orientation. Here is how you do it with ice breakers: Reception Line Relay In the spirit of “speed dating,” divide…
Read More
Invest in Yourself: Announcing Amma Marfo and Paul Osincup
General, Student Affairs

Invest in Yourself: Announcing Amma Marfo and Paul Osincup

Apr 12, 2021
It's that time: We're ready to begin revealing some of the exciting details and speakers behind the Invest in Yourself Virtual Experience, coming June 16. This one-day digital experience for higher education professionals is unraveling the traditional “digital conference” format into a new type of “unconference” designed around personal wellness, stress-relief, and, finally, YOU! When staff are better grounded, less frazzled, and better equipped to manage stress, colleges & universities (and their students) all win! Raftr is delighted to announce that the Invest in Yourself Virtual Experience will be hosted by Amma Marfo, a higher education professional, writer and editor…
Read More
10 Event Ideas College Students Will Actually Attend
Campus Engagement, Student Affairs, Student Engagement Platform

10 Event Ideas College Students Will Actually Attend

Apr 09, 2021
Planning and hosting campus events for college students can be difficult to implement, and even more challenging to track and measure success. There are a number of factors to consider, like student engagement, budgets, novelty, and the "cool" factor, just to name a few. But when you successfully put together a program that has a good turn-out and gets students excited, there’s no more gratifying feeling. So to help you achieve that success on campus, here are 10 college event planning ideas that will get so much interest, you’ll need a waiting list. Puppy Play Parties What has become a…
Read More
Beyond the Dashboard: How to Communicate COVID-19 Updates on Your Campus
Campus Engagement, Contact Tracing, Higher Ed, Student Affairs

Beyond the Dashboard: How to Communicate COVID-19 Updates on Your Campus

Oct 10, 2020
While campus contact tracing and COVID-19 dashboards have become the norm at many colleges and universities worldwide during the second half of 2020, there are still some innovative ways to communicating with students in an interactive and informational format. Many institutions have established blogs, updated case counts, and other timely COVID-19 updates on web-based dashboards, there are a few ways beyond the dashboard to reach students, maintain order, and calm nerves. Make 2-Way Communication Possible It's not a great leap to suggest that most people - students included - are completely overwhelmed by the amount of information related to the…
Read More
Top 10 Free Apps for College Students
Campus Engagement, Higher Ed, Just for Fun, Student Affairs

Top 10 Free Apps for College Students

May 17, 2019
StudyBlue College students can save time, money, and paper (go green!) by creating decks of digital flashcards with StudyBlue. The app provides a familiar card flip movement while going through the deck, with added features that can help students track progress, discover which information they are struggling to retain, and the ability to share decks of cards with classmates. Evernote Evernote is the best way for college students to keep their notes organized and up to date. Users can create individual digital notebooks for every course, mark tabs, add photos, set reminders and more. To add the cherry on top,…
Read More
5 Tips for Using Technology to Improve Campus Life
Campus Engagement, Higher Ed, Student Affairs

5 Tips for Using Technology to Improve Campus Life

May 03, 2019
College students are digital natives that live and breathe technology. According to IBM, over 65% of Generation Z claims to frequently use more than one device at a time. With hectic schedules, demanding classes, part-time jobs, and ever-evolving technology, today’s students are constantly looking for ways to connect with others and manage their lives. Here are five tips for using technology to connect students to your campus life. Introduce them to your campus - before they arrive Every university across the world has a unique campus life and culture, and every potential student is looking for something different from their…
Read More
Careers in Student Engagement: Expectations vs. Reality
Campus Engagement, Student Affairs

Careers in Student Engagement: Expectations vs. Reality

Apr 30, 2019
It’s easy to see why people are drawn to careers in student affairs: working on a college campus, interacting daily with students on ways to improve campus life, and assurances that no two days will ever really be the same. That said, there are some challenges that come with the territory, and sometimes the realities of careers in student engagement can differ from the expectations. Career Positions in Student Affairs So what do student affairs professionals do? These positions typically cover a broad spectrum of roles, from student life and student activities to campus recreation and residence life. Many colleges…
Read More