“How do I get my grades?”
“How do I apply for graduate school admission?”
“Does The University provide Internet access from off campus?”
Introducing Asktom.memphis.edu. The new Website features frequently asked questions by U of M students.
“If you have ever had a question about University services, it can all be answered using this database,” said Steve Terry, Director of Client Services for Information Services.
There are three tools available in this database. The first is ‘Ask Tom’, the second is ‘Send Tom a Question’ and finally ‘My Den.’
In ‘Ask Tom’, anyone can review questions asked by students and answered by an expert. In ‘Send Tom a Question’, students may ask a question that has not been previously posted. Response time can vary from a few minutes to 48 hours, and answers to these questions are usually e-mailed. In ‘My Den’, which is an added feature, students can view all of their own questions along with the answers.
Expert representatives from each department are designated to answer the questions sent to Ask Tom, totaling almost 70 people campus-wide.
The Web site was launched in the beginning of December.
“People who use this database can send us feedback and rate the site as they see fit,” Terry said.
Before the new site was up and running, administration officials previewed the site and decided it had plenty of potential, especially for new students who are not very familiar with The University and its programs. So far, 563 questions have been answered. Answers that may be ambiguous will include links to websites that may offer more in-depth answers.
Right Now Technologies, the company that provides the website, is the leading provider of web-based customer service solutions for Internet environments, according to RightNow.com. They are also the suppliers of the NBCi, Virgin records, Worldcomm and UPS websites.
“This is a really cool tool, “ Terry said. “It started off as a tool for the faculty help desk, but now it’s available to everyone.”
