OrgSync is a new internet-based community management system that will create a central database and communication system for UW-Milwaukee student organizations next semester.

The Student Activities Office hopes this will increase their efficiency without having to add more staff. The staff will be spending less time filling out, filing and processing forms. It will also be one-stop web site that will allow students to view all student organizations offered at UWM.

In the past, there have been problems with retaining information from year to year. Often times student organizations, which are mostly organized and operated by students, would lose information from year to year. When students left, the university records would go with them.

OrgSync has been in existence for three years and several other universities in the UW System have signed on with the company.

UWM will be meeting with OrgSync staff in the fall when the service will be launched.

“Our goal is to get more students involved with the organizations that already exist,” Director of Student Activities Eric Jessup-Anger said. “We have over 300 that are here at UWM. We want as many UW students involved in those as possible, getting experiences they want, helping them develop friendships and enhance their career prospects and increase their connection to the campus.”

UWM has entered into a three year contract with OrgSync for about $25,000. The Student Activities Office currently consumes a lot of paper. Forms which students fill out to join an organization is a primary cause of this. By switching to electronic applications, the hopes are to decrease paper consumption, enabling some reduction in costs.

OrgSync gives students 24-hour-a-day access to information and application materials. OrgSync has support staff available to students anytime of the day as well. Students can get instant feedback on what they need to do for their specific organization.

The internet service enables students to access this information from wherever they are on a computer. In the past, students needed to pick up, as well as drop off, all required forms in the offices at the union. This could be particularly inconvenient for students who do not live on the East Side campus.

“What we really want to focus on is being ready for what comes our way in terms of how the UWM campus grows,” Jessup-Anger said. “If it is here, or if it is elsewhere in the city or county of Milwaukee, we are thinking about how can we reach out to students and give ease of access to us or services for the organizations and their development.”

OrgSync will be tailored to the needs of UW-Milwaukee by being integrated into the university’s current electronic services. PantherLink, PAWS and room reservation services will be combined with OrgSync.

“What we are really excited about is we are going to be able to provide a lot more services and higher quality of services,” Jessup-Anger said. “This will increase our efficiency and allow us to focus on increasing student involvement. Over the next couple years, we will be thinking really creatively about how this will help us improve the undergraduate student experience here.”