Communicating with Generation Y: How to Win and Keep Them

Recently, I asked a number of my fellow graduate students whether they read an email from the Office of the President of the University of Nevada , Reno  (UNR); talking about siwne flu prevention and preparedness. The answer was a unanimous – NO.

I also asked a number of under graduate students (with whom I take a writing class) whether they ‘d read President ‘s swine flu safety email message. Their response once more was almost unanimously No. 

As you can guess, I was troubled. Troubled, because not withstanding the good efforts of the President ‘s Office to inform and sensitize students about the best ways to prevent swine flu, that good effort, was not reaching the target audience. In other words, the changes in behavior expected had not chance of improving safety on campus.

Based on the feedback from both group of students, I felt strongly that this situation may not be unique to the University of Nevada, Reno. This is certainly, part of a bigger national problem which is essentially a generational crisis in communication. It needs our attention, else, the problem will fester.

Apparently, most of the decision-makers of today are baby boomers and Generation X folks. These people grew up at a time when information was consumed in what I like to refer to as  Text-Based Consumption (TBC). Unfortunately, the world has evolved drastically with the arrival of Generation Y (Gen Y) in the workplace and in most institutions of higher learning. This generation predominantly prefer Graphics-Based Consumption (GBC) of information, as opposed to TBC.

As the campuses go, so goes our world. Thus, if authorities on college campuses, corporations want to win and keep the attention of Gen Y students and employees, they must reach to them using alternative strategies. Based on our observation and research, we hereby offer a “KEEP ” em approach that engages through alternative ways, as outlined below:

Approach # 1- Keep it short and simple: 

Messages, emails and memos directed at Generation Y  students or employes ideally, must be short and simple to get their attention. Due to information overload these days, students’ span of attention (personal bandwidth) is getting increasingly limited. Such information also requires a “cool effect” ie catchy, trendy and hip.

Approach # 2-Engage with Current Currency:

The best way to engage today ‘s students who are generally Gen. Y is to fine tune messages is through interactivity. In order to make it more relevant, to drum up support, campaigns, events, contests and cool gifts like Starbucks gift cards, gaming passes or other cool give-away.

Approach # 3- Edutainment:

Gone are the days of long, boring old school messages. To stay relevant with Gen Y, authorities must attempt to deliver serious content (information) with comic flavor.  Messages that have such “vanila flavors” and “blends” tend to resonate well with younger audiences. Thus, message calibration is as important as the message itself.

Approach # 4- Placement:

In today ‘s world with multiple channels of communication, social networks and social media provide an incredible opportunity to reach out to many with the same message via channels like youtube, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and so on. These channels can complement existing emails channels and yet offer a stupendous possibilities for message replication and diffusion by word of mouth.

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Swift Strategy Needed at College Campuses

campus safety student volunteers

The recent murder of Yale University student on campus is part of a bigger problem facing several campuses nationwide. Not withstanding several changes that have been implemented since the Virginia Tech massacre, there is an urgent need for a change in strategy and tactics on swift notification and response.

Swift notification and response is reliant on the fact that every student, faculty or administrative staff can promptly notify emergency authorities during an ambush or sudden assault. Without swift notification, we may continue to see more incidents like the Yale student murder or the Virginia Tech type of incident.

The SWIFT strategy calls for the implementation of five critical elements on campuses to ensure timely notification and response in times. This tactical strategy comprises of five elements:

Self-defence Awareness Training

This approach advocates for basic self-defence awareness training programs to all students, particularly female students and staff. With basic awareness training, the students can at least defend themselves when the need arises on or off campus. 

Whistle-bearing Students

Each and every student should be issued an electronic whistle that is activated at the press of a button during an assault. Such a whistle is both a tool of deterrence and notification in times of a sudden attack. Electronic whistles can be ideal key holders that will come in handy during any attacks on of off campus.

Informants 

Given the unpredictable nature of recent campus crimes, it It is increasingly clear that campus police can not be everywhere all the times. In order to increase ground-up information, it is perhaps time to recruit student volunteers as informants to serve as the first line of response in areas where campus police will not easily have access.

Focus on Blind Spots

Campus must pay close attention now to blind spots, or areas without easy access, regular patrol or areas. Blind spot may also include facilities like gyms, outdoor sports facilities, dark alleys with high student traffic, car parks and other places like dormitories and laboratories. 

Timely Response Targets

Campus safety and security need to review response time to some areas like multistory car parks, basement laboratories and a far-flung dormitories that are closer to tough neighborhoods. In cases where response is not feasible, security must consider emerging use of gadgets like segweys, motorized bikes and golf carts for swift response. 

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

If you are passionate about campus safety issues like me, leave me a comment.

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How to Make Readiness Fun and Cool to Students

I am a firm beliver that emergency managers must do three things to make learning about preparedness memorable.

For young and old learners to like readiness, we must do these:

• make it fun
• make it easy
• make is cheeful

If you watch this video, you will see that the students are engaged in a way that whenever you tell them about readiness, they will jump up. It takes time to reach this level of preparedness. It also takes a lot of time and cost. 

http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/1082

These are my personal observations.

Gideon F. For-mukwai,CEM

Reno, Nevada

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Power Outage Raises Questions About Campus Readiness

The entire campus of the University of Nevada, Reno suffered a massive power outage that crippled late evening classes around 6pm PST on 090909.

Firefighters from a local fire who responded to incident to assist in evacuation indicated that an off campus transformer had blown off.

The incident raised serious questions about campus safety and readiness at the University of Nevada, Reno in time of a crisis. It is hard not to ask questions about the way the situation was handled in a number of areas:

• Is there any back up generator at UNR and for how long can it operate?
• Why were some facilities like College of Education evacuated while others like Frandsen Building was ignored?
• Are there any marshals to help in times of an emergency evacuation?
• Why did the university web page not carry any information about the incident for several hours even up to 4AM?
• Why did authorities not communicate with students to rectify rumors like the cancellation of classes?
• In the absence of emergency power, what happens to chemical laboratories that require specific temperatures for handling of some specimens?
• Who was in charge of the emergency at UNR and who is the emergency manager responsible for campus readiness?

The incident has been generating a lot of talk o campus about campus safety and security.

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

Campus Safety Blog

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Students Sick with Flu-Like Symptoms Advised to Stay Home

Students who feel ill with flu-like symptoms, are advised to stay home until 24 hours after the flu is gone, the Office of the President and Student Medical Director has advised.
In an effort to keep students informed on the approach of seasonal flu in fall, the Office the President of University of Nevada Reno is leaving nothing to chance. In a direct email to the faculty, staff and students during the second week of classes, the Medical Director of Student Health Centers advised students to be informed about the looming H1N1 virus.
The email stressed the fact that students have a personal responsibility for their own health and in general efforts to prevent the spread of the virus on campus.
Dr. Cheryl-Hug English, advised students in the email to embrace frequent hand-washing, to cover coughs and sneezes and to avoid touching nose and mouth. A list of other don’ts outlined, included sharing food, drink or utensils with others.
Vaccinations are considered the most effective way to prevent the flu, but such vaccinations will not be available will only be available by mid-fall, the email specified.
Question:
The question that remains answered is, do students take time to read important emails with specific health and safety information like this one?
What do you think? Leave me a note, whether you are a staff, student or faculty member?
Gideon F. For-mukwai,
Certified Emergency Manager

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